The COMMISSIONING PROCESS

1. The COMMISSIONING PROCESS THE WRITERS role by Jake sansom

2. What I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT • In this PowerPoint I will be discussing the writers role in the commissioning process in the Media industry focusing on the film side of it, and how when an idea of a television programme or film is commissioned from a company. • I will talk about how each individual role is connected to the writer and how they effect him or her. I will also talk about what rules a writer should follow so that they do not offended or show hatred to anyone.

3. Writers • In Television, writers are the people who write the scripts, they will write several. The writer will write down all the stage directions and characters so that there is a detailed idea of what's happening in a scene. Writing is generally a freelance occupation this means that they a independent and are responsible for their financial intake and employment. Novice writers can find it difficult getting an agent as they don’t have any past success and agents will find it risky employing them. Writers would sometimes create their own idea and pitch it to a broadcaster such as the BBC.

4. AGENTS • Agents help writers get the best possible work through contacts and commissioning briefs they will negotiate for the writers when getting them work and will sometimes increase their wages by talking to the commissioning editor; they ensure that they get the highest paying jobs because they get a percentage of the writers salarywhich is about 10% for how much they make for the movie and 20% through advertising.

5. The commissioning brief • When a television organisation such as BBC or SKY wants to broadcast a new programme they will then advertise the commissioning brief. This would specify what the company are looking for and the requirements such as genre, audience, budget and duration of the program so that it can fit in with the television schedule, and depending on if it is after the watershed or not. The commissioning editor is very important to the writer because it is up to him whether or not they agree on a script and if the writer gets work. The editor needs to be impressed with his pitch and his idea and is down to him if it is shown on TV.

6. Commissioning editors • The commissioning editors are employees who work for a broadcaster such as the BBC. They set the guidelines for the programme and they distribute the commissioning brief, and are able to adjust the writers script so that it meets the criteria of their commissioning brief so that it can be allowed by the broadcasting company to air on television.

7. Script editors • The script editor helps with adjusting the script so that it is entertaining, they will sometimes contribute ideas to the script. A script editor will try to underline the problems within the script so that it makes sense to the audience this includes ensuring that there are no glitches within the script like making sure that everything is in it’s planned order.

8. DirectorS • Directors overseer the creative side of production, he will help with casting and the script in pre-production. He designs every scene making it the best it can be, he will coach the actors and tell them how their performance was and how they should act within a specific scene. In the editorial stage he will take the lead in piecing together each sequence so that it make a cohesive story. The writer will work alongside the director and share his creativity and integrate it into the film. For example the writer of Game of Thrones • Is always onset and is telling people what he • Thinks is best for that scene.

9. producers • A Producers job usually involves managing the financial side of production, they will sometimes use personal income to fund the project and seek out potential invests. They can choose which director should be hired and keeps a close eye on the budget so that they don’t get any debt. Producers can be there during each production stage or sometimes will not even be in contact with anyone. The writer will work alongside the producer to make sure that the film is done to it most creative aspect the writer will make sure that his original vision of the film is put onto the screen.

10. Working as a writer • As a writer it is a good idea to be represented by an agent this makes finding work much more easier than having no agent. Writers will get their income from the amount of money the film has made during distribution, a percentage of this will have to be given to their agents as payment. When pitching a new film idea writers must give a professional presentation so that it will persuade the production team. They need to be good a managing time as they might be working for two or more broadcasting companies writing scripts for each and keeping up to date if it is a series.

11. Legal and ethical considerations • When making a film the production team must be carful as they can be sued if it has exploited itself, they must get legal consent from people when using their music or logo, the film must have the right amount of censorship so that the audience won’t get offended, it must also be scheduled after the watershed if it is to explicit for a younger audience. A writer must also be cautious as plagiarism can also effect the film, but sometimes writers can end up coming up with the same idea without even knowing that they did so they have to be carful when making a film.