Developing a Production Blueprint


With a clear concept established, the blueprint for the production can be created. A production blueprint describes the audio and video the audience will experience. It does not include items such as reasons for creating the video or plans for how the video should be completed. In this stage of the production process, a writer or producer takes the concept and turns it into a finished plan. Once this production plan is approved by all parties, it becomes the blueprint for the rest of the production process. Good planning at this stage will reduce the number of changes needed later.

A production blueprint can take many forms. However, the following blueprint is typically used:

  • Script. A detailed description of what the audience will see and hear. Scripts are often preferred by producers because they are easier and less expensive to shoot and edit. The producer knows exactly what the video will require, so planning, budgeting, and scheduling can be done more accurately.

  • Rundown. A summarized chronological description of what the audience will see and hear. Rundowns are more often used in producing a live event, such as a company meeting or training. A rundown must supply enough information for the production to be organized around it.

Other forms can also be used, such as outlines, lists, or simply an existing PowerPoint presentation. Video is time-based, as opposed to a graphic, which is static. Therefore, a blueprint should list and describe events chronologically. The more you can plan up front, the better the production is likely to progress.

Writing Scripts

If you know exactly what you want to say and show, you can create a script. Typically a script includes every spoken word, a description of the video that goes with the words, and descriptions of any extra audio, such as music and sound effects. A script can also include comments for the director or editor, such as how you would like to transition from one scene or event to another, or the type of visual effect you would like to use.

The television-style script is used often for corporate videos. This style typically consists of a video column on the left and an audio column on the right, as in the following example:

Video

Audio

Worker dumps oily rag

Narrator (VO): Oily rags and spent tubes of lubricant must be disposed of in special hazardous waste containers.

DISSOLVE to worker emptying container

At the end of each shift, the containers are emptied...

DISSOLVE to worker dumping rags in hazmat barrel

And the contents transported to hazmat stations, located throughout the factory.

Narrator in studio

Narrator (On-camera): It is important that hazardous waste be disposed of properly—important for the company, and important for the environment.

Shorthand terms are used in writing scripts. A shot is a section of video that begins when the camera starts running and ends when the camera stops. VO stands for voice-over, indicating that the narrator is not seen. Dissolve is a type of transition in which one shot fades out as another fades in. There are many books that provide information about the terms used in scriptwriting and about production in general, including Microsoft Windows Movie Maker Handbook (Microsoft Press, 2000).

As previously mentioned, a good script can save production time and resources. A producer can plan and schedule the production to run more efficiently because the script explains exactly what to shoot and how long a shot needs to be. A complete script is par-ticularly important if a video contains shots from a number of different locations. For example, a script can help estimate the running time of the narration, so you will know how much narration needs to be shot and where, and what supporting (or “b-roll”) shots need to be filmed. With this information, you can more accurately schedule time for equipment, facilities, crew, and talent (the narrator).

Creating a Rundown

A rundown is a detailed list of events that make up a video. As mentioned previously, a rundown is more often used when shooting a live event, which will either be broadcast live or recorded live to tape and made available on demand. Rundowns are also used in broadcast news in addition to a script.

Rundowns are easier to create than scripts, and many speakers prefer to work from rundown-style notes rather than a script. However, a disadvantage of a rundown is that important details may not be included. Rundowns can take many forms, and usually contain columns to help organize the information. You can even create a combination rundown and script that contains scripted segments and notes.

The Training department decides to go with a rundown because they will be recording video of instructors who base their lectures on notes added to PowerPoint slides. The following example shows the rundown of a portion of one of the videos.

Visual Support

Notes

Slide 5 – Organizing a team

Internal resources available: HR, Health & Safety department, etc.
Team leader action items

Video: “Team Building”

6:24

Slide 6 – Team members

Stills of teams
How leader chooses members
What to look for
Who should not be included

Slide 7 – Scheduling meetings

How many, how long
During work or after work
Keeping consistent

Slide 8 – Meeting agenda

Focus on problem solving
Action items and results

Rundowns should be uncomplicated and easy for anyone to understand. This sample rundown basically describes chronologically what happens when an instructor gives a live lecture. Because the on-demand courses are just standard presentations that will be con-verted to Producer presentations, this style of rundown will probably be sufficient.

After the instructor finishes slide 5, he introduces a video. The Fabrikam producers will capture the video to a file and edit it into the presentation. Also, during Slide 6, the instructor would like to insert still images. The producers will convert the images to JPEG format and insert them over the video of the instructor when they edit this part of the video.

The rundown does not show details such as the content of the slides and how long the instructor plans to talk about each slide. However, considering the style of the video, these details should not cause a problem in post-production. The Fabrikam staff just needs to make sure they bring enough tape to record the lecture. They also might want to note when the lecturer changes slides, so they will be able to insert the images in the correct places.




Microsoft Windows Media Resource Kit
Microsoft Windows Media Resource Kit (Pro-Resource Kit)
ISBN: 0735618070
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 258

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