Working to a Brief

The Team

To assemble a good team

• Match skills with project requirements
• Develop good communication
• Develop a sense of mutual trust between team members
• Balance personnel requirements against the cost of resources
• Determine roles and responsibilities early on
• Ensure any contracts and clearances are in place
• Recruit experts in particular areas wherever possible
• Ensure a happy working environment

Once the scope and feel of the project has been ascertained alongside the client's expectations, the team should be recruited. Crew requirements can vary greatly, but in television, multimedia and graphic design, there will often be a core team working on the project at the outset. As it progresses, additional team members and experts will be recruited at various stages. Each member of the team brings a unique skill to the project but it is important for everyone to understand the roles and tasks of others. The budget does not always allow for a large team so it is common to assemble multi-skilled personnel.

Recruiting the team

There are a number of methods of recruitment and these are generally dependent on the type and size of project, budget and timescale.

• Work with people you have worked with before
• Advertising and interviewing procedure
• Employ freelance personnel
• By recommendation
• Chosen because of knowledge/experience

Team qualities

• Good reputation and track record
• Reliable
• Specialist knowledge and experience
• Trustworthy
• Contribute to creative process
• Good practical skills
• Cheerful personality
• Ability to get on well with team members
• Flexible approach

As well as keeping team members informed at all times, it is important to listen to them and ensure that people stick to their own deadlines. It's also necessary to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal and not heading off at tangents.

When working to briefs for broadcasters, companies such as Endemol will have a development team working on ideas. Once a programme is commissioned the core team who will be taking the project through to completion will be put in place. Other companies may choose to present briefs to the people currently on duty rather than for any other reason in instances where graphics are needed urgently, such as at GMTV