Pre-Production | New Unit

To start third year, the first unit for this term is 'Pre-Production'.

For this unit we are to create a detailed pre-production 'package' for an original project that we will come up with ourselves.

There are three different options for the packages we will create during the term.

1. Professional Pre-Production Package - High Concept
2. Major Project Pre-Production Package - Major Project Production
3. Screenplay - Long Form

Professional Pre-Production Package

This choice is all about working on a large-scale idea in a hypothetical way, and aiming to compete with what is currently being watched on the TV.

This package is to communicate the idea to a potential broadcast commissioner, but it won't actually get made and go into production, meaning it will stay at the pre-production stage.

Due to this package being hypothetical, it means you can think big and you won't be constricted to a budget.

The concept of the idea can be anything; a drama TV series, a documentary, a movie, a news show, a studio show, etc.

The package will be made of a variety of different elements, such as; the pitch, the script, casting, production design, the trailer, camera tests, and any other elements of pre-production that you may produce.

We can either work on our own or within a group, and it should be presented in a professional manner. 

Once the next term comes along, and the Major Project unit starts, you must either join a major project group or create a new stand-alone project.

Major Project Pre-Production Package

This choice is all about developing an idea during pre-production along with the package, and then this idea will be taken into production during the second unit.

The package that must be produced for the professional package, is the same package that must be produced for this package. But depending on the size of the group, it needs to be very detailed with a lot of work included.
As said before, the difference between this package and the professional package is, this plan will be taken into production during the second term as the major project.
Depending on the interests and focus you have and want, this choice will be most probably be collaborative with outside sources and others within a group.
Multi-skilling can be an option, but that all depends on the project and the student.
The video at the end of the year will be no longer than 20 minutes long.

Screenplay

If your interest is mainly screenwriting, for this choice, you have the ability to write a long form piece of work through Pre-Production and the Major Project units.

This long form piece of writing can either be a TV series with multiple scripts and more, or a feature length script.

During the pre-production unit, you will develop a detailed plan for the project, including the treatment, synopsis, research, etc. Which is similar to the other two options.

Then during the major project unit, you will write the screenplay with having various drafts and no doubt several scripts.

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When looking through these options, all three catch my attention, but the one that I am leaning more towards is the Major Project Pre-Production Package. The reason for this is because I want to challenge myself, this year, to create a piece of work to the best of my ability and have something to show for it at the end of the year. 

I think this package will challenge me and push my strengths to make me better storyteller and film maker. If I do this package I will probably look into working within a group of two or threes I don't think I will be able to do this on my own, and also I think the idea will develop a lot better and effectively with more people on board.

The external collaboration that we can have throughout the both units include these areas of production:

• Cast/Presenters/Actors
• Music
• Production Design/Costume Design
• Special FX

All the other roles must be filled by classmates or previous graduates.

Once the idea myself and the group I work with develop an idea, we will look into collaborating externally with people of this profession in order to effectively make our project better and more detailed. 

The package we make during the options must include a minimum of:

• The synopsis and pitch
• The audience of the idea
• Script
• Title Sequence/Trailer/Camera Tests
• Visuals - Storyboard/Shot Lists/Mood Boards
• Production Documents
• Production Design
• Casting
• Crew
• Marketing & Branding
• Production Company

But as we keep working I'm sure there are many other segments that will be needed.

I'm excited to start this year and I think it's going to be the most challenging year for me. Woking within a team will be fun and developing an idea with others will also be a good experience.

To start I am going to find my group and then start coming up with ideas.