From the Victorian Certificate of Education: Media Study Design: On completion of this unit the student should be able to develop and document a media production design in a selected media form for a specified audience.
Key Knowledge
methods for documenting the specified audiences, narrative and intention of the proposed production
media codes and conventions, technologies and processes relevant to the selected media form, proposed audience, narrative and production
methods for creating written and visual representations of a proposed production
methods for documenting details of production and post-production roles, tasks and timelines
media language relevant to the design and production of a media product in a selected media form.
Key Skills
document the specified audience, narrative and intention relevant to a selected media form and product
apply media codes and conventions, technologies and production processes appropriate to the selected media form, proposed audience, narrative and product
create written and visual representations of a proposed production
document production and post-production roles, tasks and timelines
use media language appropriate to the design and production of a media product in a selected media form.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY FOLIO?
There is no set list in the Study Design of everything that needs to be included in your PDP. However, you MUST include a statement of Intention and Audience.
Below is a list of items that have been included in PDPs last year. This list is a guide of items you might want to think about addressing.
Cover Page: your name, the year, the name of your product, Year 12 Media.
Calendar: this will outline the key dates for production; when you will be filming, taking photos, getting interviews, and also when things are due such as your PDP, production exercises and final product. Editing and exporting or printing should also be included in your planning.
Brainstorm: this is very open-ended and could include brainstorming about ideas, mediums, actors, costumes, music and the list goes on. Basically you are documenting the process that you went to in order to refine your ideas and arrive at the final idea for your product.
Concept Map: a map that describes how the story is linked to characters or locations or props, or a map representing the connection between photos or articles. A visual representation of your concept ideas.
Media form (pros / cons): this will generally form a table and looks at the pros and cons of presenting your idea in your chosen medium, or, looking at the pros and cons of presenting your idea in different mediums such as film versus magazine.
Genre / style (pros / cons): describe in detail the genre or style of your product. Codes and conventions could be included here. You can also discuss the pros and cons of genre. Eg. music video versus drama.
Actors / Characters: give your characters detailed profiles.
Costume, Make Up & Props: visually represent what the costumes, make up and props will look like.
Locations: visually represent the locations. Be specific here; don't just include the picture of a house, show the bedroom where the argument will take place or the kitchen where the intruder breaks in. Here you can also include any permits or permissions needed to access these locations. You may also need to discuss the logistics of the location such as how to power the equipment if shooting outside for a long time. Include pictures of specific locations where you will shoot and permission to shoot there if necessary.
Lighting: describe what sort of lighting will be featured in your shots, what types of lights you'll be using and what kind of lighting setups you'll need.
Script: script the action and dialogue for film. For magazines, you'll need to script your interview questions.
Storyboard: create a detailed visual storyboard for your film. You can do this by sketching, taking photographs of mock set ups or even using online storyboard creators and apps.
Shot List: a detailed shot list is necessary for film to document in what order you will shoot and to provide a checklist of shots that you will need. It can help to organise this by location, rather than in chronological editing order, to ensure that you get all of your footage at each location. Alternatively, just colour code the locations if you wish to keep the shot list in editing order.
Editing details: document the style of editing that you will be using and outline any effects or techniques that you will use. Here you should also include details for exporting or printing.
Layout / design: for print students, you'll need to create a detailed mock-up of your magazine layout or presentation for your photography.
Sound effects / music: document the music that you will use for the film and ensure that copyright has been sought where necessary. Research the sound effects that you will use throughout and talk about any foley sounds that you might need to get.
Title – Credits: either draw or describe how you will display your title and credits including fonts that you will use.
Presentation: include a mockup of your DVD cover and DVD artwork, how you will mount and display your photos or how you will print and bind your magazine (including paper type).
Actors / models: create an actor or model profile explaining why they are right for the role or shoot and include their release form. Think about back up actors or models if needed.
Equipment – hardware and electronics: include pictures of your equipment and a description of what it is and how you might use it. Describe the software that you will use.
Fonts: (especially for magazines) explore the different fonts that you might use for different parts of your magazine.
Style guide: developing your own Style Guide for your product can be very useful. This would include determining the specifics of your print product, such as font sizes, colour palettes, font choices, placement of text on pages etc. Consider the sizing of title fonts compared to body paragraphs and page numbers. It's a good idea to complete a test print so that you can check the sizing.
Advertising: create mock ups for the print ads and ensure that you have permission to use logos and products if necessary.