Within this post I'm going to discuss the commissioning process. Using different sources I'll research about this process and sum it up into my own words. I will be taking information from 2 websites, 2 videos and 2 published texts.
Webpages
http://www.slideshare.net/treshammedia/the-commissioning-process-9507567
The commission process, is a method a script is put through before publishing. When producing a script there's many job roles involved, such as the; Director, Producer, Researcher, Writer, Script Editor, Commissioning Editor as well as many more. However the Commissioning Editor is the one who has the last say on whether or not the script will go to print. There's many different commissioning bodies for when a script is produced. These are corporations such as BBC, independent production companies like Bedlam Production Ltd, independent directors and producers such as J Blakeson, organisations which are the Independent Cinema Office and competitions like The Sunday Times: First Light.
https://harrisonmatt1.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/the-commissioning-process-for-writers/
When a script is first produced the writer will have to find someone to represent their work at conferences. It's not always the writer that approaches an agency, some agents approach the writers but only if they've been writing for a long time. There's many websites to help the writer get their work published as they give realistic feedback. As well as this, there's other websites that you're able to apply to where you upload your scripts and they can help to improve them. However often small writers don't get noticed as they haven't done work previously, so they need to excel themselves further in order to get noticed over the bigger, more experienced writers. After this, the next step is Professional Presentation, this is all to do with the formatting of the script. The layout is the first thing that's seen when a script is looked at, if it hasn't been formatted properly then they will discard it off and won't bother to look at it. An important factor to remember when producing the script is time management, this is important as a date will get set for when the script needs to be complete and if the deadline isn't met, the writer won't get paid and may even get fired.
Friday, 12 June 2015
Commissioning Bodies
There's a variety of commissioning bodies within the the commissioning process.
Corporations
Film corporations release well constructed films, using the box office revenue to generate an income. They can't afford to release a bad film as it'll drop their income and the company will loose out on money they need.
Independent Production Companies
Independent production companies also release films, usually a lot of low budgeted films are released with this company. As they don't really produce the major film it gives a lot of opportunities to the smaller film makers.
Independent Directors
Independent directors are usually a part of a low cost production, Most of the time they produce their own screenplays but sometimes they've taken a big part in the screenplay. They usually cover a range of roles as it makes films cheaper to produce. There are businesses out there that help screenwriters get links to actual writers, so they can get constructive criticism on their scripts in order to improve. An organisation that does this successfully is the BBC Writers Room.
Corporations
Film corporations release well constructed films, using the box office revenue to generate an income. They can't afford to release a bad film as it'll drop their income and the company will loose out on money they need.
Independent Production Companies
Independent production companies also release films, usually a lot of low budgeted films are released with this company. As they don't really produce the major film it gives a lot of opportunities to the smaller film makers.
Independent Directors
Independent directors are usually a part of a low cost production, Most of the time they produce their own screenplays but sometimes they've taken a big part in the screenplay. They usually cover a range of roles as it makes films cheaper to produce. There are businesses out there that help screenwriters get links to actual writers, so they can get constructive criticism on their scripts in order to improve. An organisation that does this successfully is the BBC Writers Room.
Organisations
There are a range of different organisations that deal with scripts. A large organisation is 'BBC Writers Room' which is highly successful as they give screenplay directors the help to improve their scripts. As well as that, they have a section of their website which is purely for amateur script writers who are trying to get noticed, this section of the site is called 'Writersrooms'
Competitions
Some amateur writers choose to enter competitions to get their scripts noticed. An example of one of these is 'Screenwriting Goldmine Competition' which is a competitions that the writers will enter to win the grand prize. After judging all the entries the first prize wins a wide range of prizes from a; £500 cash prize to a 1year's IMBD Pro membership.
Job Roles Within The Commissioning Process
There are many jobs related to the commissioning process, here I'm going to describe what each role consists of.
Director
The directors role has a lot of responsibility as they're the ones who're in charge of everything to do with the script, film etc. They constantly supervise what work is being done to make sure it's correct and too a good standard.
Producers
The producers are like the director but with slightly less control. Most of the time the producers will work closely with the director, however some of the time the producer will be the director, this would mean as a producer you'll need skills incase you're the responsible director. Normally the producer is the one that see's the project from start to finish, and could also have an input on the marketing and distribution. One of the main responsibilities of produces is funding, they have to arrange the funding for a production as well as making sure they don't go out of the budget.
Writer
The writer is responsible for the story of the script, as well as making sure it fits the correct target audience. They have to do pre-production planning to ensure what needs to be achieved is. They'll communicate with the director and the producer throughout to gain advice and opinion to gain the best outcome. Along with the script goes the shooting script, where they'll write in the camera angles and movements they require. After the production is done they make their final plan as to what will and won't be included and how what's been produced made better.
Script Editor
The script editor is there to make sure nothing within the final production has continuity errors. As well as check there's no verbal and visual faults. They'll analyse every shot and take specific notes that'll be in depth, in order to give the directors and editors some reference.
Commissioning Editors
The commissioning editors are responsible for looking over all the scripts that are sent in and decide which will be commissioned. In order to generate business they search for authors and respond to book proposals. Doing this will help them build a publisher's list so they know what possible business is available. One they have an author it's their responsibility to ensure the authors give their scripts to specification by the given time.
Agents
The agents role is to represent a person or business. Usually writers, actors and performers have agents as they'll inform them of potential opportunities in their area of expertise.
Websites used -
http://www.slideshare.net/treshammedia/the-commissioning-process-9507567
https://harrisonmatt1.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/the-commissioning-process-for-writers/
Director
The directors role has a lot of responsibility as they're the ones who're in charge of everything to do with the script, film etc. They constantly supervise what work is being done to make sure it's correct and too a good standard.
Producers
The producers are like the director but with slightly less control. Most of the time the producers will work closely with the director, however some of the time the producer will be the director, this would mean as a producer you'll need skills incase you're the responsible director. Normally the producer is the one that see's the project from start to finish, and could also have an input on the marketing and distribution. One of the main responsibilities of produces is funding, they have to arrange the funding for a production as well as making sure they don't go out of the budget.
Writer
The writer is responsible for the story of the script, as well as making sure it fits the correct target audience. They have to do pre-production planning to ensure what needs to be achieved is. They'll communicate with the director and the producer throughout to gain advice and opinion to gain the best outcome. Along with the script goes the shooting script, where they'll write in the camera angles and movements they require. After the production is done they make their final plan as to what will and won't be included and how what's been produced made better.
Script Editor
The script editor is there to make sure nothing within the final production has continuity errors. As well as check there's no verbal and visual faults. They'll analyse every shot and take specific notes that'll be in depth, in order to give the directors and editors some reference.
Commissioning Editors
The commissioning editors are responsible for looking over all the scripts that are sent in and decide which will be commissioned. In order to generate business they search for authors and respond to book proposals. Doing this will help them build a publisher's list so they know what possible business is available. One they have an author it's their responsibility to ensure the authors give their scripts to specification by the given time.
Agents
The agents role is to represent a person or business. Usually writers, actors and performers have agents as they'll inform them of potential opportunities in their area of expertise.
Websites used -
http://www.slideshare.net/treshammedia/the-commissioning-process-9507567
https://harrisonmatt1.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/the-commissioning-process-for-writers/
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Writing For Television & Video
When producing my 10 page script there was research I had to produce first. Below are all the images of my research as well as the results of my questionnaire.
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