practice questions

Video Game brief- 

1.     Evaluate the effectiveness of using a visualisation diagram  as part of the planning process for the promotional video. (20)

Plan- 

pro, quick rough sketches, many designs made and scraped in short time

pro, lots of annotations, explains the shot \ layout clearly and explains why this helps family game

pro, clear and concise, helps my client see my ideas in a clear format

con- not much detail about the shots themselves, use a storyboard.

con- my ideas may not be covered completely by annotations, explain myself in treatment.

For this promotional video to endorse the game, using a visualisation diagram would be exceedingly helpful. A visualization diagram is often a rough sketched surrounded by annotations that's come from several previous designs and ideas. Meaning that shots for the advert, whether its game play or the target audience of the family on screen enjoying the game can be designed and scrapped quickly and effectively until we get a final out come that we're happy with. The fast pace of this planning design process will allow us to keep on track with the deadline this autumn all while seeing every possibility the advert can be filmed with, whether its sets or shots.

However as this is so fast paced, whats actually happening in the shots won't be very clear and a visualization diagram cannot be used as the last document created when going into production. I would recommend using a story board as it will clearly layout scenes, distinguish clearly what is shots of game play and which are shots of the family playing as well as having edits, music and shot types to aid both the post and production teams. Though the creation of the story board would take time, by having the quick trails and tests the visualisation diagram provides, you're able to make adjustments to both easily without wasting times.

A visualization diagram also contains lots of annotations, explain the idea and how it will benefit the process. For example a visualisation diagram could be used in the design of the set, however the annotations will allow the team and client to see why that set design would benefit the family target audience and the idea of mindfulness in video games, showing a tranquil family styled living room for the family to play the game in. Though the full vision can't always be explained through the use of annotations alone, in turn the cast and crew may not understand what needs to be filmed and why, creating confusion in the production phase and wasting time having to change the planning. This is why a treatment should be used, in order to go into depth about exactly what needs to be shot, why it needs to be shot and how it needs to be shot, combining technical language with concise points on the project at hand. These games have a key message and purpose, TR want 'games for the body and the mind' and its imperative that we don't loose that message in the planning stage.

By combining the clear visual aspect of the diagram with the annotations, you can be assured everyone on cast and crew will be able to understand what needs to created and why. This ensures that everyone stays on the same page during the production process of the advert and a campaign needs to remain constant throughout otherwise the social media adverts created to support the advert, may not be anything like the final product.

Overall I think a visualisation diagram will benefit the planning process greatly due to the clarity it brings to the personnel and the simplicity in creating more of them.


Reel film brief- 

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of using a studio/set plan as part of the planning process for the promotional video    (20)

plan- 
pros. detailed 2d /3d sketch of the set- sci fi so the sets will have to be made from scratch is an alien planet is used, important for visualising 
pro- includes both background and props which can help creative get an idea of what the int. location needs to look like. 
pro- can be used by the technical team to decide of the types of shots that would work best for a set like this can can even show where they should be positioned. 
pro- detailed annotations to help make more sense and keep clarity between technical and creative team
con- design must remain plausible for the budget, a budgeting plan and the set designers research will need to be on hand while designing to make sure the set design remains within the budget
con- using 3d software would be better than a 2d sketch as it allows the technical team to look around and view the best camera angles
con- doesn't help in how the shot will be filmed or the action taking place, use a story board.

Using a set plan for this sci-fi short film is ascensional as a set design is a 2D or 3D image of what the set will look like after it has been created, it allows for the rise en scene for each scene to be viewed in great detail, allowing all members of creative and technical teams to get a rough idea of what they'll be filming before the creation of a story board.

 While looking into the genre with endless possibilities a set design can help visualise a distant alien planet or space ship interior without images of what a true alien planet would look like. Having an image that shows both the background of the set and the props in the room allows for the creative team to see exactly what they need to create, especially for a science fiction movie as alien terrain won't be easy to find for a location recce. Having the visual aid is also beneficial to the technical team as they see what the set will look like and begin to plan how they can film their shots and from what angle. However this would be easier if the set design was created with 3D image software opposed to a 2D sketch as it allows the crew to move the set and view it from different angles, allowing for the best shot to be decided; which is necessary for a science fiction film to look as realistic and makes the alien world look more jarring to an adult audience. 

Despite the endless possibilities that comes with drawing a design however, this is for a short film produced by an independent company, meaning we will have a smaller budget than most conglomerate film companies in todays climate. This means the set designers will need to keep an budgeting sheet at hand to make sure the creation of this set is realistic to the budget of the film. 

A set design also contains detailed annotations explaining the image. This will help create clarity between the creative and technical team during both the creation of the set and the production stage. Having annotations also benefits the team as it will explain the designs of alien plant life or the technicalities of a space ship, keeping the science fiction story as accurate and realistic as it could be. 

Although the set design can help the camera crew position shots, there is no detail on the movement or action in the scene. Despite having props and backgrounds we don't see the characters or any detail for editing, movement or sound effects, meaning the set design won't be helpful during the production phase. Therefore a story board would need to be created along side the set design, allowing the technical team to make the most out of the creative teams set as well as the post production team to see what transitions, edits, SFX and music are required for each scene and set type, which will bring the set to life. The post production phase of a science fiction film is a huge aspect as the editing and music can help make the movie feel more realistic and less stiff, making action sequences more diatomic and less abstract in order to entertain the adult target audience. 

Overall I believe the creation of several set designs for each set would be extremely helpful in the process of making this short film as it allows the team to as creative as possible with a sci-fi movie as well as keeping in budget and laying the foundation for the set design team, who will play a huge role in making the film look high budget and realistic.