Working to a Brief

Formats and Requirements

Deciding on project format

Some mediums convey certain concepts better than others and this means that a particular delivery medium might be instinctively selected. There may also be possibilities for using additional mediums to support the main project, but the primary method by which the material will be consumed must be the deciding factor. The techniques that have evolved within each different medium may also affect your decision.

• Match the media to the message
• Assess cost implications involved
• Type of project may dictate the format
• Consider what may affect the use of certain media
• Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each medium
• Consider the practicalities implications of each medium
• The focus must remain on the end user or audience and their skill level
• If the chosen format is not accessible, too expensive or too complicated, the end user will not be interested

There has been a lot of research into different forms of media and their merits for delivering the same information, but this is fairly inconclusive and there are conflicting opinions on the correct use of any media. Different platforms and contexts present different dilemmas, so it is necessary to consider all practicalities when making decisions, especially on multimedia projects.

We might say this isn't an ideal web project - it might be better as print or CD and we'll explain our reasons why and give them both the options, what we think will work best and the cost implications - sometimes that's the only deciding factor. Karen Fewell

When looking at using video in a digital form across platforms:

• Consider bandwidth difficulties for downloading or streaming
• Consider picture quality issues
• Viewers and users are becoming more demanding in terms of accessibility
• Look at new technology in order to combat some of these problems

The client or broadcaster may well determine the end format via which the end result should be delivered. For example, most broadcast television is delivered on a digital beta tape, but for some of the early research or footage of possible contestants, this might only need to be DVC Pro

Once you get the commission the equipment we use purely depends on budget and increasingly every channel is looking to make low budget programming, so you'll get programming which uses researchers or AP s who are able to use DV and that's going to continue, but it just depends on the budget. David Flynn

Multi-skilling is becoming increasingly common and indeed necessary, and a lot of production companies will train Assistant Producers or Producers on DVC Pro cameras in order that they can also shoot material to cut costs.

At the pitching stage it may be necessary to bring in other formats such as Power Point presentations or pilot tapes, but if the idea sells itself this may not be necessary. Sometimes websites or interactive materials need to be mocked up if the client requires this, but what format you work on initially depends on who the project is for.

The equipment and format used is mostly dependent on the budget, but increasingly broadcasters are looking at ways of producing inexpensive, high volume programming.