Task - 1 Understand requirements for a specific media production
There are many types of production.
There are many sorts of media production and they all require different needs, but the fundamentals of all media production are: finance, time, personnel, contributors, facilities, materials, locations and the codes of practice and regulation.
To begin with video games, developers have two options to gain money for their project, first is traditionally pitching to publishers to acquire a partnership for the project this can range from thousands to potentially millions. For example, Destiny (Bungie, 2014) had a budget of 500 million! But this includes advertising, packaging, infrastructure support, royalties, and other costs. Although these publishers will invest their money towards a project for the promise of a certain fraction of the profits earned by the video game.
The second option a developer has is crowdfunding, this work especially well for indie developers who usually don’t get the triple ‘A’ funding from publishers. In this scenario, a producer will make a presentation about the project for a game. This will then be uploaded to a crowdfunding website, here individuals can support this project by donating money. One of the most well-known and used crowdfunding sites is Kick starter this lets to present your ideas online to the public, by doing this the public can send you donations towards your games. 3,775 games have been funded on this site, generating over 80 million with the games having a 34% success rate. Even though this website helps you get the funding for your games kick starter will take 5% of total funds. Today more indie developers can make their games because of crowd funding this has changed to video game Industry for the better because more creative and original games will be produce. The big publishers will see this as a great advantage because they could have a partnership with these indie developers so sell their game, this is a win/win for both parties as the indie developer doesn't need to spend money on marketing for their game and the publisher can sell more games and make a profit as they didn't fund the project. An example is GameStop retailer, this company has launched its own indie publisher called "Games Trust", because of this move they've already made a profit of 9.4 million since April. They also offer the Indie developer a budget between 0-15 million if needed to fund the project. In the future, this will be the best method of funding my project if I chose to become an Independent game developer. To ensure the developers obtain the money they will offer rewards to the donators, there rewards will include merchandise or even the donators name in the video games credits. This all depends on how much an individual wants to donate. For example, a Kickstarter for a video game console called “OUYA” promised hundreds of free to play games through streaming which saw enormous success, their penalty goal was 950 thousand but surprisingly this product was very appealing to people and overall it received 8.5million from donator's.
A third option is in place for developers who aren’t starting from scratch. This includes AAA game developers who will fund their new game with money they acquired from selling their previous game. Big developers like the company ‘Bethesda’ do this as they also act as their own publishers. In contrast to film here we can find similarities of how films are financed. Directors will finance their projects production by either using previous successes or loans be that family, friends or a bank. If a director chooses a bank the money will be given to a producer, who will then help make a budget. The producer will also handle time management like, deadlines and equipment availability. Overall once the film is produced the director will use the profits of the film to pay the money back which often includes interest.
Coming back to equipment availability of equipment, this is a large section of production because no equipment means no product. In video games for example, a developer may need to buy licenses for software’s such as Photoshop. Licenses for this product require annual or monthly payments. In a scenario where a developer’s budget can only cover a year of licensing, the 3D artist will have limited time to finish the assets for the game or a developer might want to outsource and acquire assets through transactions. A game engine like ‘Unity’ has an additional page on their website like a forum, for individuals and developers who want to share or buy assets.
When looking to fill job roles in production the easiest method of acquiring people is outsourcing to colleges or universities and offering work experience. The advantage to this method is it’s cheap sometimes even free and a good way to start relationships with other individuals who want to be in the video game industry. However, the disadvantage to this method might be the quality of work and assets may not be up to industry standards, because they will have less experience with software.
Comic books will always stay on a confident release time, frequently released weekly or monthly depending on the price and quality of the comic book. Although video games have release dates some miss their dates due to extended deadlines. For example, Watch Dogs (Ubisoft, 2014) which had a November 2013 release was pushed back to May 2014 because the publishers weren’t happy with the game, so the developers had to correct the errors and further polishing the games look.
Another type of job roles are the contributors who in the media industry are the talent. For example, the talent in video games is a voice actor. In contrast to film and television these actors/actresses will be the visual representation of the characters, whereas in video games a 3D artist can create a character from scratch making it more authentic to the original idea it can take up more time. In video games voice acting can be filled in by anyone be that the developers themselves and its cheap, but triple ‘A’ developers prefer professionals like Troy Baker (The Last of Us), Nolan North (Uncharted, Destiny) and Nathan Fillion (Halo). Compared film this takes a lot more time as it requires casting, renting a room, setting up meetings for interviews in search of talent that is right for the character. This cost a lot more money too, in the film and TV industry the talent will earn more money than the crew, editors and sometimes directors, because they sell the product. The time for talent needed can last up to a month or even a year.
Like contributors, specialists can also be hired to do explicit jobs. For example, in the video game industry triple ‘A’ developers can acquire an indie development team to focus on a section of production like creating assets, animation or art. This can be due to solving a problem like losing workers or because a small team like an indie development team can have a further range of skills.
Coming back to facilities, a radio show also need equipment for audio such as microphones and other devices. A games development studio will need computers, a TV show needs costumes, cameras and other devices. This equipment can be obtained through renting. The advantage to this is its cheaper than buying the products. However, there is a limited time to return these products which can inflict stress when clawing to meet deadlines. Although purchasing this equipment is expensive, owning the equipment also means it can be re-used and is better for future projects.
The location of production is another important factor. In the video game industry, it is best to have a studio close to a city, as there are multiple resources around. The most technologically advanced countries offer the best support, like northern Europe and America as it’s a more secure place to work. Choosing a safer place to work is important for example, natural disasters which could damage equipment, provoke stress, large amounts of costs and could scrap the project all together. A famous instance of business’s being effected by natural disasters came in Japan, 2011. An earthquake triggered a tsunami which collapsed varies small businesses also the major contenders like Intel. Overall the damages to the area cost 50million, but AIR risk modelling agency predicted that the damages to all business effected combined came to a total of 30billion. Most distinct problem to the businesses was a decrease in share price.
Studios can often be rented as said before renting means limited time, but some offices offer features like WIFI, desks and even computers with monitors. This is good to save money on a budget. Triple ‘A’ developers will have the option to build their own studio in the area, although they will need the permission from the local government to own the land. Rules and regulations can affect a developer create choices too. Almost everything in production will need a written permission like software, logos and brands. EA have a partnership with FIFA to use their name and logos for their popular football game. Since 1993 EA has worked with FIFA to produce the global football game with the same name FIFA since then it has become the most popular sports game to date. In May 2013, this licensing agreement was ending this would mean EA couldn't make the FIFA games anymore as the FIFA company owns these rights. Although at the time it seemed there wouldn't be another FIFA video game, a division in EA (EA sports) managed to come to a licensing agreement with FIFA till December 31, 2022. This agreement states: EA Sports maintains exclusive rights to release FIFA-branded action and management video games. In addition, EA Sports also holds exclusive rights to release the official FIFA World Cup video game, as well as retaining its status as a Presenting Partner of the FIFA Interactive World Cup.
In contrast to film permission is needed by individuals who are filmed-on set. If their permission isn’t given an editor can simply blur their faces out, but this leaves a nasty stain on the scene. A director will try to obtain the right to film on the grounds or area by the local council, talks and meetings could affect to production and creative choices. Once a project is filmed it must be given permission to be shown in theatres or suitable for the country. For example, a company called “BBFC (British board of film classification)” will monitor films and give them age ratings like 12A and 18. The BBFC founded in 1912 has been monitoring films and DVD’s that come into the UK, when the video recordings act came to in 1984. This is to ensure young children don’t accidentally watch explicit films.
In the video game industry, a similar company called “PEGI (Pan European Game Information” will assign an age rating to video games like 3+ and 18+. PEGI has been the international age rating company for Europe, America, Russia and other countries since 2003. PEGI will monitor violence, fear, sexual content, drugs and gambling. A game like Lego Star Wars (Lucas Arts) has a 3+ age rating although it shows conflict there is no blood or gore. Age ratings are important but can easily be passed for example buying a game online this decreases the effectiveness of PEGI as well as BBFC as films can be streamed online.
(Sources)
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-investing-500-million-for-bungie-s-destiny/1100-6419444/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ouya/ouya-a-new-kind-of-video-game-console
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Dogs
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/8383373/Japan-earthquake-The-companies-most-affected-by-the-disaster.html
https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2013/ea-sports-and-fifa-extend-licensing-agreement-until-2022
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3552401.1461613534!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/collage-video-game-movies.jpg
There are many sorts of media production and they all require different needs, but the fundamentals of all media production are: finance, time, personnel, contributors, facilities, materials, locations and the codes of practice and regulation.
To begin with video games, developers have two options to gain money for their project, first is traditionally pitching to publishers to acquire a partnership for the project this can range from thousands to potentially millions. For example, Destiny (Bungie, 2014) had a budget of 500 million! But this includes advertising, packaging, infrastructure support, royalties, and other costs. Although these publishers will invest their money towards a project for the promise of a certain fraction of the profits earned by the video game.
The second option a developer has is crowdfunding, this work especially well for indie developers who usually don’t get the triple ‘A’ funding from publishers. In this scenario, a producer will make a presentation about the project for a game. This will then be uploaded to a crowdfunding website, here individuals can support this project by donating money. One of the most well-known and used crowdfunding sites is Kick starter this lets to present your ideas online to the public, by doing this the public can send you donations towards your games. 3,775 games have been funded on this site, generating over 80 million with the games having a 34% success rate. Even though this website helps you get the funding for your games kick starter will take 5% of total funds. Today more indie developers can make their games because of crowd funding this has changed to video game Industry for the better because more creative and original games will be produce. The big publishers will see this as a great advantage because they could have a partnership with these indie developers so sell their game, this is a win/win for both parties as the indie developer doesn't need to spend money on marketing for their game and the publisher can sell more games and make a profit as they didn't fund the project. An example is GameStop retailer, this company has launched its own indie publisher called "Games Trust", because of this move they've already made a profit of 9.4 million since April. They also offer the Indie developer a budget between 0-15 million if needed to fund the project. In the future, this will be the best method of funding my project if I chose to become an Independent game developer. To ensure the developers obtain the money they will offer rewards to the donators, there rewards will include merchandise or even the donators name in the video games credits. This all depends on how much an individual wants to donate. For example, a Kickstarter for a video game console called “OUYA” promised hundreds of free to play games through streaming which saw enormous success, their penalty goal was 950 thousand but surprisingly this product was very appealing to people and overall it received 8.5million from donator's.
A third option is in place for developers who aren’t starting from scratch. This includes AAA game developers who will fund their new game with money they acquired from selling their previous game. Big developers like the company ‘Bethesda’ do this as they also act as their own publishers. In contrast to film here we can find similarities of how films are financed. Directors will finance their projects production by either using previous successes or loans be that family, friends or a bank. If a director chooses a bank the money will be given to a producer, who will then help make a budget. The producer will also handle time management like, deadlines and equipment availability. Overall once the film is produced the director will use the profits of the film to pay the money back which often includes interest.
Coming back to equipment availability of equipment, this is a large section of production because no equipment means no product. In video games for example, a developer may need to buy licenses for software’s such as Photoshop. Licenses for this product require annual or monthly payments. In a scenario where a developer’s budget can only cover a year of licensing, the 3D artist will have limited time to finish the assets for the game or a developer might want to outsource and acquire assets through transactions. A game engine like ‘Unity’ has an additional page on their website like a forum, for individuals and developers who want to share or buy assets.
When looking to fill job roles in production the easiest method of acquiring people is outsourcing to colleges or universities and offering work experience. The advantage to this method is it’s cheap sometimes even free and a good way to start relationships with other individuals who want to be in the video game industry. However, the disadvantage to this method might be the quality of work and assets may not be up to industry standards, because they will have less experience with software.
Comic books will always stay on a confident release time, frequently released weekly or monthly depending on the price and quality of the comic book. Although video games have release dates some miss their dates due to extended deadlines. For example, Watch Dogs (Ubisoft, 2014) which had a November 2013 release was pushed back to May 2014 because the publishers weren’t happy with the game, so the developers had to correct the errors and further polishing the games look.
Another type of job roles are the contributors who in the media industry are the talent. For example, the talent in video games is a voice actor. In contrast to film and television these actors/actresses will be the visual representation of the characters, whereas in video games a 3D artist can create a character from scratch making it more authentic to the original idea it can take up more time. In video games voice acting can be filled in by anyone be that the developers themselves and its cheap, but triple ‘A’ developers prefer professionals like Troy Baker (The Last of Us), Nolan North (Uncharted, Destiny) and Nathan Fillion (Halo). Compared film this takes a lot more time as it requires casting, renting a room, setting up meetings for interviews in search of talent that is right for the character. This cost a lot more money too, in the film and TV industry the talent will earn more money than the crew, editors and sometimes directors, because they sell the product. The time for talent needed can last up to a month or even a year.
Like contributors, specialists can also be hired to do explicit jobs. For example, in the video game industry triple ‘A’ developers can acquire an indie development team to focus on a section of production like creating assets, animation or art. This can be due to solving a problem like losing workers or because a small team like an indie development team can have a further range of skills.
Coming back to facilities, a radio show also need equipment for audio such as microphones and other devices. A games development studio will need computers, a TV show needs costumes, cameras and other devices. This equipment can be obtained through renting. The advantage to this is its cheaper than buying the products. However, there is a limited time to return these products which can inflict stress when clawing to meet deadlines. Although purchasing this equipment is expensive, owning the equipment also means it can be re-used and is better for future projects.
The location of production is another important factor. In the video game industry, it is best to have a studio close to a city, as there are multiple resources around. The most technologically advanced countries offer the best support, like northern Europe and America as it’s a more secure place to work. Choosing a safer place to work is important for example, natural disasters which could damage equipment, provoke stress, large amounts of costs and could scrap the project all together. A famous instance of business’s being effected by natural disasters came in Japan, 2011. An earthquake triggered a tsunami which collapsed varies small businesses also the major contenders like Intel. Overall the damages to the area cost 50million, but AIR risk modelling agency predicted that the damages to all business effected combined came to a total of 30billion. Most distinct problem to the businesses was a decrease in share price.
Studios can often be rented as said before renting means limited time, but some offices offer features like WIFI, desks and even computers with monitors. This is good to save money on a budget. Triple ‘A’ developers will have the option to build their own studio in the area, although they will need the permission from the local government to own the land. Rules and regulations can affect a developer create choices too. Almost everything in production will need a written permission like software, logos and brands. EA have a partnership with FIFA to use their name and logos for their popular football game. Since 1993 EA has worked with FIFA to produce the global football game with the same name FIFA since then it has become the most popular sports game to date. In May 2013, this licensing agreement was ending this would mean EA couldn't make the FIFA games anymore as the FIFA company owns these rights. Although at the time it seemed there wouldn't be another FIFA video game, a division in EA (EA sports) managed to come to a licensing agreement with FIFA till December 31, 2022. This agreement states: EA Sports maintains exclusive rights to release FIFA-branded action and management video games. In addition, EA Sports also holds exclusive rights to release the official FIFA World Cup video game, as well as retaining its status as a Presenting Partner of the FIFA Interactive World Cup.
In contrast to film permission is needed by individuals who are filmed-on set. If their permission isn’t given an editor can simply blur their faces out, but this leaves a nasty stain on the scene. A director will try to obtain the right to film on the grounds or area by the local council, talks and meetings could affect to production and creative choices. Once a project is filmed it must be given permission to be shown in theatres or suitable for the country. For example, a company called “BBFC (British board of film classification)” will monitor films and give them age ratings like 12A and 18. The BBFC founded in 1912 has been monitoring films and DVD’s that come into the UK, when the video recordings act came to in 1984. This is to ensure young children don’t accidentally watch explicit films.
In the video game industry, a similar company called “PEGI (Pan European Game Information” will assign an age rating to video games like 3+ and 18+. PEGI has been the international age rating company for Europe, America, Russia and other countries since 2003. PEGI will monitor violence, fear, sexual content, drugs and gambling. A game like Lego Star Wars (Lucas Arts) has a 3+ age rating although it shows conflict there is no blood or gore. Age ratings are important but can easily be passed for example buying a game online this decreases the effectiveness of PEGI as well as BBFC as films can be streamed online.
(Sources)
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-investing-500-million-for-bungie-s-destiny/1100-6419444/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ouya/ouya-a-new-kind-of-video-game-console
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Dogs
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/8383373/Japan-earthquake-The-companies-most-affected-by-the-disaster.html
https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2013/ea-sports-and-fifa-extend-licensing-agreement-until-2022
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3552401.1461613534!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/collage-video-game-movies.jpg
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