Brief Report

                                              Working to a brief

Introduction

The following report will provide in depth understanding of the different types of briefs available in the video production industry. For this task I have chosen to go into more details into the competition brief.

A brief is a document that gives clear instruction that requires you to do a specific task.

It usually provides an objective advice and in depth knowledge as to what is best for the recipient. It also explains the criteria’s needed in order to meet the requirements of the brief. A brief is basically what the client or the commission editor wants.


   
ucture of briefs:

There are various numbers of briefs that are available within the video production industry. These can vary from that of a competition briefs open to the general public to commissioning briefs for large TV channels. See below

Competition Brief:

A competition brief is document that provides all the instructions need for the those participating in the competition. These instruction/ information include:

· What the competition ask you to produce
· What style it can be
· What will happen if you've met the requirements ( the prizes that can be won)
· The deadline for the competition
· What the judges are looking for in the winning entry
· The length of the video
· What prizes can be won if you enter individually or as a group

 Contractual Brief

- Non- disclosure agreements

· It have financial implications/ legal implication attached
· Pricing listed
· Schedule/ deadline
· Agreements
· Legal ownership

Formal Brief:

-Written documents

Typed

· Documented using a cell phone/ supporting emails
· There is a technical and specific language

-It is focused and attentive

· It gets straight to the point, it does not contain any unnecessary detail or information
· Detailed/budget/ deadlines
· Not a legal document

-Most briefs are written with this style. It is mainly aimed at industry sectors or a group of people.

Not usually available to individuals.

Informal Brief:

 Is a brief that can be done either during a face to face conversation or

-Can be straight forward with no documentation to support it.

- No direct contractual agreement, however this can be drawn up at a later date
- Generalised, but also could be expanded/elaborated at a later date.
- No specific requirements needed.

Commissioned Brief

- Specific variable given
- Public procurement
- Outline given to complete the task
-formal in structure
- Not much guidance is given
- must be related to the subject area

Tendered Brief

-A brief that is delivered to meet a specific demand or requirement.

- Usually drawn up for government or business purpose
-Potential contractors bid for the contract.

· The government or business would hand this type of brief out if there are a lot of people applying for the same thing.

- handed out mainly to meet demand
- Once issued it is outlined in a formal standard.

Reading a brief
Reading a brief instruct/ informs you on exactly what  you're being asked to do. When reading a brief you shoud concentrate on these five aspects; What is required of you? Who is asking you to meet these requirements and why are you doing it? where can you meet the requirement of the brief? when should this task be completed ?. Following these five w's will inform you on exactly what is required of you in order for you to complete the task.

Please see apendix 1and 2for example of competition and tendered briefs

On a competition brief  for video production it will specifically instruct you on how to enter the competition; the length of the of your video; the closing date; the prizes to be won and what the judges are looking fo etc... A competition brief could be for marketing purposes or finding new talent and is also available to the general public. In comparison to that, a tendered brief is only available to a particular sector and is different in terms of it's purpose For example, if a business or governing body wanted to make a video they would hand it out to  say three different production team and then they would choose the best idea presented to them.

The competition brief is requires a 60-second video about a subject you love. If your video is successful then you could win £ 9, 000 towards your education, Three runners up will recieve £250s worth of OUP books. The competition however does not  specify a particular subject area.  You'll be judged on your passion for the subject, your ability to convey complex ideas in a short period of time and also giving interesting angles on your chosen subject.
The deadline for entries is 31 December 2012. The competition is open to any UK student who is enrolled on a full-time, fee-paying higher education course, and to any Uk students apply for higher or further education in 2013.


The common factors of a brief:

• The start date
• Deadline- This is the specific date in which the project should be done. There will be no extension, so it must be done and handed it by the date required.
• Project Title
• Assessment date- This is the date in which your receive your feedback based on the finish product.
• The criteria
• Commission Editor

Negotiating process of a brief:

First and foremost not all briefs can be negotiated seeing as some briefs will be quite stick and rigorous on the demands. Below is the process in which a brief can be negotiated.

The process of negotiation

• The pitch
• The proposal
• The development of the original idea by using the feedback given from the client
• Finalization of idea

Consultation with the client in order to find out if there has been any changes. For example, is there any issue with the demands?
- do you need clarification based on what has been required of you?
Discretion
You may have questions that needs an answer before taking the next step.
- Is the budget opened for discussion?
-Can changes made to minor details with the clients permission?

Constraints:
You have to take into consideration the ethical, the regulatorys, copyright and the localization of the brief. Knowing this tells you how much limitation and restriction one has on the solution.

Amendments:
This is the stage where changes can be made. An alteration of or to the solution can be made throuht this processing stage.
Budgeting- Has there been any changes due to the demand or requirement of the brief.
- Has there been any unplanned circumstance or requirements that may affect the budget.
If so, what can be done?
- Has the been any unforseen development issues?

Conditions
Is there any suggestion or request for improvement or changes by a governing body?
Have the regulations changed? Has there been any changes in the components of the brief?

The Project:

• Duration
• Work load
• Fees

Self Development Opportunity
There are many different opportunity available in completion of the demands and requirements of a brief. One could gain new skills whilst working on the solution. There could be an opportunity available for such person(s) to be paid to develop the skills they have gained through specific training and also you could be able develop your ideas and create more products.
 These skills may include:

• Communication skills
• Negotiation skills

Contribution and suggestions
This is the process in which you can contribute or even suggest any ideas you have that could support and/ or improve  the original brief initial.  To do so, you would have to approach the client to improve the final solution, if there is need for improvement. You must find out whether or not contributing or suggesting any form of idea may affect your salary. Will this affect the deadline or the budget of the solution?
Also, had you given any contribution or suggestion to the client, will the brief be ammended or re-drafted with the new idea.

Conclusion: