Documentary brief

 Brief 1: Television and online

Requirements of the brief

You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing a three-minute opening sequence of a documentary for BBC Three and two web pages on the BBC Three website about the documentary.

The opening sequence must include the title sequence.

The web pages must promote the new documentary to its target audience and enable fans to interact with the programme.

Summary of brief requirements:

• Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words).1

• Opening sequence for a documentary: One, three-minute opening sequence.

• Broadcast channel and time: Content must be suitable for BBC Three.

• Number of web pages: Two web pages.

• Cross-media production target audience: A socially-conscious, 16–25, middle to upmarket

  demographic.
  There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production.

  Production detail that must be included
  The production of the opening sequence must include (as a minimum):

  • Range of camera shots, including shot distances, angles and movement as appropriate to a documentary.

  • Editing of footage and sound.

  • Soundtrack, which should include voice (voiceover and/or diegetic voices), sound effects and

    appropriately edited music.

  • At least two different uses of mise-en-scène.

  • At least two characters representing at least two different social groups (e.g. as defined by

    age, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality).

  • Graphics/titles to include the title of the programme.

    The production of the web pages must include (as a minimum):

    • Original audio or audio-visual content which may include material from the programme but must include at least one element produced specifically for the website.

    • A minimum of two original images (with at least one different original image on each of the two pages). These images must be different from those produced for the television programme.

    • Appropriate conventions of website design, following the conventions of BBC Three web pages (including articles).

    • Text introducing the main features of the programme.

    • Working links from each page to the other page.

    • A range of appropriate media language techniques (typography, images, fonts, backgrounds,

      logos, etc.) as appropriate to the purpose of the website.