Joshua Jones: Television Production

Studio Production: Running Order Draft 3

To continue on from the developments being made to the show, I have produced a new running order.

RUNNING ORDER DRAFT 3

This new running order is mostly the same as the previous one, however the opening link is 30 seconds shorter, and Round 4 is 30 seconds longer. I have updated the running total to reflect the new timings.

Below is the new running order:

Studio Production: PM 4 & Developments

We recently had another production meeting to share developments in the show.

PRODUCTION MEETING 4 & DEVELOPMENTS

I started the meeting off my sharing the changes I have made to Round 4, based on the feedback from out workshop with Del. These changes are:

Now a head to head round.
8 boxes instead of 6
Contestant with the most points gets to go first. If they get a box wrong, the other contestant gets a chance to continue it.
Keep playing until one of them completes the line up.
Now 5'00"

I have made these changes to add a better competition element to the final round. This will also made it more tense, and hopefully make it a better moment to end the show on. It also introduces a better level of fairness as the other contestant gets a chance to also win the show. I have also added two more boxes to make it harder to complete the line up. And finally as I have taken 30 seconds away from the opening monologue, I have added it to this round.

As well as this, there were some general updates:

Style bible is on the Google Drive
Steve (from the Audition Fails) is now called Norman
Monologue has been shortened to two quick jokes
Meeting with the set design team went very well
A new script, round breakdown, & running order are now on the Google Drive

Studio Production: Set Design Briefing

As part of this unit we work with the Design for Theatre, Film & Performance team over at the Rochester campus to produce a set and props for the show. To begin this process, the director and I have briefed them on what we are looking for.

SET DESIGN BRIEFING

We began the presentation by sharing the show with the team, which included:

Tagline
Format
Rounds
Style & Tone

We then continued by sharing a few images with them of the set design I used during my pitch, however we ensured they knew that this was only an example and not what we wanted for the final show. We wanted to encourage them to come up with something new as we knew they could come up with something that was so much better than what I had come up with.

The only items of information they needed to stick to in terms of set design were:

Measurements: I didn't want anything that exceeded 10 metres.
Style and Tone: Glittery glamour
Colour palette: Reds and oranges.

We then shared some requirements we had with them:

Set (with a cinema screen or tv screen incorporated, as well as a glittery doorway)
3 podiums (1x host, 2x contestants)
Red carpet
Two display/pin boards and 6x fake awards for Round 3.
8x hollow boxes for Round 4
1x Golden Clapper Board (prize)

I think the briefing went very well and they all seemed interested. I saw a few nodding heads and they were all taking notes. I am looking forward to working with them and I'm excited to see what they come up with.

Below is the presentation we used during this briefing:

Studio Production: Style Bible

As part of the pre-production the graphics & promotions team must produce a style bible that everyone must follow when producing any visual material for the show.

STYLE BIBLE

The team went off and worked on a draft copy, which I then helped them complete by answering any questions they had about style and tone. I enjoyed working with the team on the style bible, and I think the final version perfectly sets out the style and tone I am going for with the show.

The style bible sets out information on:

Fonts
Backgrounds
Colours
Lower Thirds
Lighting
Set Design
Prop Design
Costume Design

Below is the final style bible:

https://www.facebook.com/thebigmoviequiz/

Studio Production: First Workshop with Del & Changes to Show

Del Brown is a director/vision mixer who will be tutoring us throughout our studio production unit. We recently had our first session with him.

FIRST WORKSHOP WITH DEL

Del started the workshop by running through the duties and responsibilities of each role on the production, like the producer, director, vision mixer, camera ops, & production assistant. Each and everyone role on the production is very important in ensuring the show runs well and looks great. I found it very useful to hear the details of each person's role as I now understand the types of work others will have to complete and it gives me more confidence in the team knowing they all know what they're doing.

Next we ran through the entire show, breaking it down into small sections and exploring camera placement, sound, set placement, and more. This allowed me to see each element of the show and share the full details with the group. I beleive it also helped Del understand how I currently see the show working. As well as this, it also highlighted any items we needed to think about and any issues that need to be resolved.

The main issue noted was the Round 4 currently didn't work and needed to be rethought, something which I will take on board and bring to the next meeting. As well as this, the placement of the pin boards during Round 3 needs to be thought about so the cameras can get the best view possible. Breaking down the show like this was really useful.

Finally, Del took us down to the studio and into the gallery to help us all understand who does what and where each person is stationed during the show. Usually during a show, the producer may sit in a room behind the gallery and watch the show, however during this production I will be in the gallery next to the P.A. helping with timings, and keeping track of scores. Del ran through a vision mixing exercise with us mostly to help the vision mixer get a little insight to what is required of them, but also to help the rest of the team understand what the vision mixers job involves.

I found this initial workshop very useful, especially as we broke down each element of the show. I now hope everyone has a better understanding of how the show works, and how the show will look. I will take on board the comments from this workshop and work on a new format for Round 4.

Images:

Studio Production: PM 3 & Development

We recently had another production meeting to discuss developments.

PRODUCTION MEETING 3

I started off by sharing the details of our new social media accounts with everyone. I am very happy with these pages and I feel the design of them fits the show very well. Below are the links to both social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebigmoviequiz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebigmoviequiz

I then shared the new logo design with everyone which I think the graphics team have done a great job with.

The background is pretty much the same as the one I used for my initial designs. However, the main logo for the show is very different. It is now more glamorous and glittery (like the show). It has the look of a sign outside a classic cinema displaying the name of the show. I love it and the rest of the production team does too. This will now form the basis of the style bible, and so every graphic produced for the show.

Unfortunately, I had to take a day off prior to this meeting. During my time away, some discussions were had amongst the production crew, and it had become apparent that not everyone was clear on the style and tone of the show. Some seemed to think it was a family show which it certainly is not. So during this meeting I ensured everyone was clear by laying out the style and tone of the show, making sure everyone was aware it is not a family show. It has the look of a tea time game show, but has a comedic late night twist.

Finally I shared a few technical details with the VT and Promotions teams to ensure all videos were produced to the same standards.

Below is the presentation I used during this meeting:

Studio Production: Script Draft 2

As some changes have been made to the show, I have produced a new script draft that puts these changes into action.

SCRIPT DRAFT 2

Below is the 2nd draft:

These are the changes I have made:

I have added in all of the new timings as the VT round, Trivia VT, and a new section of the show all have new timings.
I have added the new section of the show entitled 'What's Your Favourite Movie?' to the script.
I have written a new opening monologue for the presenter as the production team agreed the first version was not right for the show, and the jokes needed to be less rude.
I have added all of the new questions to the script, which now gives a better idea of timing.
I have added more cues for SFX, GFX, and music beds so other members of the production team can start working on making those elements and working out how they'd fit into the show.
I have added a column for the director to write all of her camera directions and cues for the vision mixer.
I have re-written a joke that appears in the closing link as the group agreed Ryan Gosling was in fact fitter than Ryan Reynolds.

This new draft of the script will now be uploaded onto our Google Drive so everyone can access and read it.

Studio Production: PM Meeting 2 & Changes to Show

We recently had our second production meeting to discuss progress. In this meeting we also discussed some changes I have made to the show based on everyone's initial feedback.

PRODUCTION MEETING 2

I started off the meeting by sharing all of the new changes with everyone, which are:

Round 1-

Contestants now buzz in to answer the quickfire questions.
This allows for better competition and tension in the opening round.
Allows for more questions to be asked in a shorter space of time.
Keeps the levels of excitement up.

Round 2-

New Name: Audition Fails
Format to stay the same, however the 'Silent Movies' VT will consist of three movie titles to allow the VT to fill 00'30" to 01'00".
Name That Theme-

Trivia VT-

Now plays after Round 2 instead of Round 3.
Includes a competition element for the audience in the studio and at home. (e.g. host asks question before VT, or questions in VT)
Makes the VT more fun and entertaining for the audience to watch.
New length: 01'30"

Round 3-

New name: Pin The Award
Contestants now pin the awards onto names instead of faces. Names are often harder to remember than faces.
Both changes made for copyright reasons.

I Ain't Afraid of No Host-

Scrapped to allow for something possibly more entertaining and interesting.
No longer a VT, instead a live segment where the host goes into the audience to find out what their favourite movies are.
Length: 02'30"

Round 4-

Currently no changes

As well as this, all of the questions are going to be made harder to allow for a better competition.

Feedback on these changes was mostly positive and so they will now be put in place as the production continues to develop.

During this meeting the VT team also updated everyone on the development of the VTs. During Casting Call Steve will use obscure objects during his scene recreations. Instead of using an app, Steve will now be in fancy dress for the Face Swap VTs, which are now called On A Role.

I have now decided that we will scrap Silent Movies and Name That Theme as the ideas for the first two VTs are better and will work better in the final show. I don't beleive Silent Movies, and Name That Theme would have been entertaining enough.

And finally the social media team are going to work on setting up a social media account on Facebook and Twitter for the show.

Below is the presentation I used during this meeting:

Saturday 4 February 2017

Studio Production: Round Breakdown Draft 2

To keep track of each question and answer in the show I have been producing round breakdowns that every member of the team can access. These also include details on how each round works and how long it should take.

ROUND BREAKDOWN DRAFT 2

This second draft of the round breakdown includes brand new harder questions that I have written based on initial feedback from the group.

Below is a copy of the new round breakdown:

This will be shared with everyone via the Google Drive folder.

Studio Production: Running Order Draft 2

Now that the show has been development more, I have been able to put together a detailed running order that will allow everyone to understand how long each section of the show should be.

RUNNING ORDER DRAFT 2

This new version of the running order has exact timings on it for every section of the show, including intros and outros to each round. It also includes a running total which is a useful piece of information for the P.A. And finally, each section is colour coded to make it easier to tell which section of the show each sequence belongs to.

Below is the new running order:

This will now be shared with everyone on the production to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to timings of the show.

Friday 3 February 2017

http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/television/producing

Studio Production: The Producers

To help prepare for my new role as producer, I carried out some research into the roles and responsibilities of some real TV producers.

THE PRODUCERS

Phil Bigwood- Executive Producer, Match of the Day

At BBC sport, executive producers are responsible for editorial and visual aspects of the programmes. They are also quality control and ensuring editorial standards are met. To get to a role like this, you'd usually have to work your way up the line first. On this particular production, the executive producer also carries out the work of the producer and director during the studio filming. A series editor will decide what content is shown on the programme.

An important part of this role is writing and preparing scripts and directing presenters and cameras when in the studio. Phil talks about how important it is to give a calm impression over talkback. As with all live television things can go wrong, but as the executive producer it's your responsibility to hold it together no matter what.

Alison Howe- Series Producer, Later with Jools Holland

Alison begins by talking about how in a production team everyone plays their part in getting a programme on air, and as series producer, it's her job to coordinate all of that. Her role also involves finding artists to perform on the show, so she spends a lot of time listening to music and going to live events. The series producer works alongside the executive producer.

On the day of the show she spends most of her time liaising with artists, working with Jools, and dealing with any challenges that arise. She then spends the rest of the week working with the editors to put together the extended programmes, and working with the executive producers to prepare the rest of the series. Finally, she speaks of how it can be refreshing both personally and for the audience if you try new things on your tv show.

Jon Cahn- Producer director, Gogglebox

A key part of being a producer on a reality tv show is knowing when you should and shouldn't step in. You want the best reactions, but you don't want it to feel staged. Jon says that "sometimes backing off and letting the actuality breathe gives you stronger results". As a producer director he would spend most of his time working with a gallery operator (because they shoot multicam), an assistant, soundman, researcher, and a runner.

His role involves a lot of preparation to ensure he can get the best out of his contributors. He will watch all of the tv programmes the contributors will watch to make notes on key points he'd like to get their reactions to.

What can I learn from this?

From this I have learnt these key aspects of being a producer:

- Being organised and prepared for anything
- Being able to easily and calmly communicate with every member of the team, including the contributors, to get what you need from them.
- Staying calm during stressful situations, especially when on live talkback.
- Thinking about how the decisions you make affect everyone else and the programme.
- Being able to easily coordinate everyone and everything.
- Knowing when to, and when not to, get involved.
- Knowing which jobs you should be doing, and which jobs you should be allowing others to do.

I beleive that if I can demonstrate all of these key skills whilst working as the producer on this unit, the show will be a success.

Sources-

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Studio Production: Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV)

As part of my research I watched a studio based entertainment programme.

SATURDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY

Saturday Night Takeaway is an entertainment variety show broadcast live on Saturday nights on ITV1. The show is usually broadcast from Studio 1 at The London Studios, but this will change from 2018 onwards when the studios are closed.

The main point I would like to make about Saturday Night Takeaway is their inclusion of the audience in the show. The show is all about the audience both in the studio, and at home. They surprise people, give away money and holidays, and one lucky member of the studio audience gets to play 'Win the Ads'. Win the Ads is an original format that allows an audience member to win the contents of an ad break from the previous weeks television.

Without the audience involvement the show wouldn't be anywhere near as good. The best part of it is how some members of the audience don't even know they're going to be part of the show, and this makes it all the more exciting. The reactions of the surprised audience members makes those segments even better. Add this with Ant and Decs presenting personalities and you have a very entertaining tv show.

I will take this information and try to incorporate it into my show. I would like there to be some sort of audience involvement as I feel it will make the show more entertaining and more relatable. People would want to be in the audience just because they know they can get involved in the show.

Images:
http://www.applausestore.com/images/showlarge/SNTLarge2017.jpg