Welcome to Production Processes!
Ever wondered how your favorite video game, TV show, or magazine actually gets made? It doesn’t just appear out of nowhere! In this part of your Media Industries study, we are going to look behind the scenes at the Production Processes.
We will explore how the people involved, the technology they use, and even where and when they work change the final media product you see on your screen or in your hands. Don’t worry if this seems like a lot to take in at first—we’ll break it down step-by-step!
1. The "Big Three": Personnel, Technology, and Processes
To understand how a media product is made, think of it like baking a massive, complicated cake. To get the perfect cake, you need three things: Personnel (the bakers), Technology (the oven and mixers), and Processes (the recipe and the steps taken).
Personnel (The People)
In the media industry, "Personnel" refers to the people who work together to create a product. Different products need different experts.
• In Television: You have directors, camera operators, and editors.
• In Video Games: You have coders, concept artists, and testers.
• In Newspapers: You have journalists, sub-editors, and photographers.
Why it matters: The skills of these people change the final product. For example, a director with a "dark" style will make a TV show feel very different from a director who likes bright, happy comedies.
Technology (The Tools)
The tools used in production have a massive impact on what we see.
• CGI (Computer Generated Imagery): This allows producers to create worlds that don't exist, like in sci-fi movies or video games.
• High Definition (HD) and 4K: This makes the final product look incredibly realistic, which changes how makeup and sets are designed.
• Mobile Technology: Many products are now made specifically to be viewed on phones, which means they might use shorter clips or vertical video.
The Impact on the Final Product
Every choice made by the personnel using specific technology changes the "look and feel" of the media. If a news team uses a shaky handheld camera (technology) to film a report, it makes the news feel more "real" and urgent (impact).
Memory Aid: The "PPT" Rule
To remember what affects a media product, just think PPT:
P - Personnel (Who made it?)
P - Processes (How did they make it?)
T - Technology (What did they use?)
Key Takeaway: The final media product is a result of the people, tools, and methods used during its creation.
2. When and Where: The Context of Production
Media products are shaped by when they were made (time) and where they were made (location).
When: The Importance of Time
Comparing a newspaper from 1950 to a news website today shows how much time matters.
• Past: Production was slow. Newspapers had to be physically printed and delivered. Technology was limited (black and white photos, manual typing).
• Present: Production is "real-time." News can be updated every second. Digital tools allow for instant editing and global sharing.
Where: The Importance of Location
Where a product is made changes its style and cost.
• Studio-based: Think of a sitcom with a "live" audience. This is controlled and usually cheaper because you don't have to move equipment around.
• On-location: Filming a movie in a real forest or city. This makes the product feel more authentic but is much more difficult to manage.
Did you know? Many big-budget movies are filmed in specific countries (like the UK or New Zealand) because those governments offer "tax breaks"—meaning it's cheaper for the media companies to produce their work there!
Key Takeaway: Production is always influenced by the historical period (the "when") and the physical space or country (the "where").
3. Working Practices in the Media Industry
Working in the media isn't always glamorous! It involves specific working practices—the professional habits and rules that companies follow.
Common Working Practices:
1. Deadlines: Media industries are very fast-paced. A newspaper must go to print at a certain time, or the "product" fails.
2. Collaboration: Media is rarely made by one person. It requires teams to talk to each other. A video game designer must work closely with a music composer to make sure the "vibe" is right.
3. Professional Standards: There are "codes" of how to work, such as ensuring high-quality sound in a podcast or checking facts in a news story.
Analogy: The Football Team
Think of media production like a football team. You have the players (personnel), the boots and ball (technology), and the training drills (working practices). If the players don't follow the drills or the goalie doesn't talk to the defenders (collaboration), the team loses!
Key Takeaway: Working practices like deadlines and collaboration are essential to making sure a media product is finished on time and at a high standard.
Quick Review: Check Your Knowledge
• What does "Personnel" mean? (It refers to the people, like directors or journalists, who make the media).
• How does technology like CGI impact a product? (It allows for more creative, unrealistic, or high-quality visuals that weren't possible in the past).
• Why do "When" and "Where" matter? (Because the time period and the location change the tools available and the cost of making the product).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Don't just list the people: Instead of just saying "a director is involved," explain how their choices change the product.
• Don't ignore the "Industry" side: Remember that production is often about money and time. Deadlines aren't just for school—they are a vital part of the media industry!
• Don't confuse "Production" with "Audience": Production is about making the product; Audience is about watching/using it. Stay focused on the "behind-the-scenes" part for this chapter.
Great job! You've just covered the essentials of Production Processes. Keep these "PPT" rules in mind, and you'll be ready for any question on how media comes to life!