Studio Production Unit: Research - Logo Test

After our second production meeting, I started work on a logo style; the style I pictured was of the show's title becoming pixellated at the edges to show the connection with the online side of the show.

I went into Photoshop and typed the show's name into a text box. I overlaid the text on top of a black box and changed the text's colour to purple to make it stand out for illustrative purposes.

I zoomed into the image so a grid appeared notifying me that I was now zoomed into a single pixel-level.

I selected the paintbrush tool and reduced the size of it to a single pixel and began placing purple dots around the sides of the letters. I then changed the paintbrush colour to black and placed dots on top of the lettering to create the effect of the letters breaking apart. 

I think it's pretty effective and once the colour scheme and font are sorted it will look even better.

Studio Production Unit: Poster Test

I decided to test out the idea for the poster to see if would be achievable.

Here are some examples:

I started out by looking for an online site which would create this look but they all requested payment for the results so I looked into Photoshop and seeing whether it would be do-able through that software.

I found a video on YouTube that explained how to do it:





As a test I chose this as the main image:

For the images that would create the main image I chose some photos I took of my research for my pitch as a test.

I went into Photoshop and made two columns with the 'filler images' and then duplicated the columns to fill the rest of the canvas space.

I merged the duplicated layers together to make a single layer and dragged it into a separate Photoshop document already loaded with the main image. I then reduced the 'filler images' layers' opacity to make the main image visible and to create the desired effect.

I think this looks quite effective and it's only a test. I feel creating a proper version will be pretty straightforward if the idea goes ahead.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Production Meeting 2 and Posters

We had our second production meeting today which went well.

My 2 ideas for the trailers were well received but which suggestions for slight alterations.

The GoPro idea would be better suited as a teaser due to it not telling us what the show is about.

The second idea (of the host and panellists discussing why people should watch the show) would require the set. So instead perhaps they are sat around a coffee table or something else.

These ideas work just as well and I would like to develop these further with storyboards (especially for the GoPro one) and then feed these back.


Another idea I had that was brought up is for a promotional poster consisting of an image of the host made from lots of images of Facebook posts; Youtube videos; blog posts and other screenshots of social media sites showing public opinions.

I think the idea would fit in with the brand and show the social media aspect of the show.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Logo Ideas

During our first production unit I sketched out a couple of designs for a possible logo idea:

The use of the copyright and at-sign maintains the online aspect of the show: the symbols are combined with the title of the show to emphasise the combination of the online with the debates.

The titles are also pixellated to look more like it was typed on a computer. This again will emphasise the online topics the show discusses and makes it instantly recognisable.

The target audience (16 - 25) will be very familiar with the symbols and the text-style being a generation that have grown up with technology such as smartphones, computers and games consoles.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Trailer Ideas Part 2

Another idea for a trailer:


The host wears a GoPro attached to their head (I own a GoPro) and walks from their dressing room or another location to the set.

Consisting of several takes; the host greets crew members and passes rooms and other events going on in the studios.

Some ideas for what happens:

- Host walks past a producer or
- The host walks past the costumes on a rack or being held up by crew members who are readying them.
- Host walks past a room where 2 guests are preparing themselves/messing about.
- Host walks past different crew members who are moving equipment/doing crew jobs.
- Walks past The Gallery where the Studio Directors and/or Production Manager are working: one of which gives a thumbs-up gesture to the host.
- Walks past a Floor Manager who says "You're on [host name]"
- Host walks onto the set to the applause of the audience.

Screen changes to a title screen showing the show's name; channel and airtime.


The advert would be reminiscent to this BBC Radio One advert:




I feel this would give it a interesting style and catch the eye of any potential audience. As the target audience is 16-25, the use of a GoPro would fit in with the current trend of gadgets available to them. A quick search for 'GoPro' on YouTube yields videos with view counts ranging from tens of thousands to millions.

The GoPro is a very popular method for capturing moments and events and I feel it would work well for the show.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Trailer Ideas

As the DOP for the Promo trailer I shall take on the storyboarding, scripting and shooting of the trailer.

Below is an early idea for the trailer:

The panellists and host are on set; the host says:

"So our next topic is: why should people tune in to [show title]?"

The panellists then, in the style of the debates that will feature on the show, discuss why people should watch the show: stating the show's USPs such as the comedy, concept, the parodies etc.
The host then takes control again and says about cutting to a VT to which a VT plays of a montage of moments from the show.

These 'moments' could be created solely for the trailer in the style of a 'best of' segment.


This is just a concept and not a final decision but it's an idea that may have some potential if given some polishing and more thought.

What I feel is tricky about making a lengthy trailer is that the show is a topical debate show which limits what can be shown or what kind of a trailer can be made. Unlike a TV series or a film trailer where a basic telling of the plot can be shown or key points in the work that will hook the audience; this is a show that covers current stories meaning the trailer may not be relevant by the time it's released.

A Second Trailer Idea

Show some behind-the-scenes from concept to filming in the form of a story.

To match the show's tone the things shown will be a mix of some light hearted moments and some more serious moments.

Perhaps a small piece of V.O or monologue overlaying the trailer talking about how the show has progressed from ideas on a page to a set.

An issue with this idea, however, is that it sounds like a documentary rather than a trailer. The trailer is supposed to promote the show and in doing an idea like this may leave very little left for the actual behind-the-scenes project.

I may do some research in the form of looking at adverts for both TV shows similar to Helen's and more creative trailers such as Sainsbury's' Christmas adverts; John Lewis' Christmas adverts and Apple's also.

Studio Production Unit: Pro-Production - Job Roles and First Meeting

Today our job roles were announced and I got my second choice: Promo Trailer/Behind The Scenes DOP.

I'm happy with this role: I said in a previous post that DOP is another area I wish to gain skills in and so this will be a good chance.

The rest of my team consists of:

Aimee (Promo Producer)
Charlie (Promo Titles/Behind The Scenes DOP)
Vic (VT Editor/Promo Editor)
Sam M. (Promo/Behind The Scenes Sound)


First Production Meeting

We got into our production groups/departments and began to spitball ideas. We were all also tasked with coming up with alternate names for Helen's idea. The current name being 'What You Saying?'

Our roles as Promo team are:

- Branding for the show
- Trailer(s)
- Graphics/Stings
- Titles
- Other promotional material

Our team will set up a Twitter and FaceBook account for the show and use it to feed information on the show out such as teaser images; behind the scenes photos and other things.

Charlie suggested we use vines as another way to promote the show. Vines are 6/7 second long videos which are completely random but funny.

List of alternate names we came up with.

Brainstorm 

All of our groups joined together to feed back and we all agreed on the title 'Interchatter': a variation of the 'Internatter' idea I came up with.

Kate has the role of Production Manager and Floor Manager and will be writing up minutes for each of our meetings along with uploading them to a shared drive or E-mailing them.

The first meeting went well and with our next one this coming Tuesday; our Promo team have to come up with some ideas for the shows' branding ready for the meeting.

Studio Production Unit: Research - CV and Interview

We were required to create a CV to bring in to our interview.

My CV hadn't been updated in a very long time so this was good chance to update and improve it. I haven't had any TV or film experience on a professional level so I instead listed all of the work I have done for my course along with what roles I had done.

After the Interview

I feel I could have done much better in my interview: when asked what skills I have I couldn't name a single one. Perhaps it was pressure and being on the spot but I wish I said something. I did say that directing is a career I want to pursue and am very much passionate about which in turn will give me the motivation and commitment to make some solid work but I am a little worried that I may not get my preferred role.

I intentionally avoided saying I am confident as I know I'm not 100% there but I would like to be able to improve this through directing as it'll put in a position where I have to be confident and decisive and handle any situation.

Overall I am happy with any of the three roles but I would like the chance to be VT to improve my confidence, skills and gain the experience.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Production Positions

After our pitches the idea that was the most viable, original, relevant and had the best content was chosen (Helen's idea was picked) 2 sheets of paper were placed on a table and we had to select which role in the production we wanted to do. 

We had to choose 3 and number them in order of preference.

My three choices were:

1st: VT Director and Studio Camera

2nd: Promo Trailer and Behind The Scenes DOP

3rd: VT and Studio Camera

I originally wanted to do studio camera as I wasn't entirely sure on wether or not I should go for the VT director but I had a change of heart and realised that this would a great opportunity to get another directing credit under my belt and gain some more experience in this field; especially as I wish to pursue directing as a career.

I chose promo and BTS DOP as my second choice as I didn't see this option listed on the brief. When I saw it on the sheet I immediately went for it as DOP is another area I want to build skills for to aid me in future productions I do. 

I placed my original 1st choice last as VT director also includes studio camera work and DOP also involves directing and camerawork. With this just being camerawork I felt it wouldn't be as beneficial for me in terms of experience and so it was put as my third option.

The next stage is to now prepare for the interview on Thursday for the roles.

Studio Production Unit: Research - Pitch

The brief required us to prepare a pitch to present in front of a panel about our idea for the 30 minute pilot.

Studio Pitch

Additions/alterations to my idea are:

- Preferred host to be like Rob Brydon/Lee Mack: not controversial or risqué; can work well with an audience and are good improvisors on shows like 'QI' and 'Would I Lie To You?'

- An extra round called 'Tug of Draw' in which a pen is attached to each end of a 30-60cm ruler and one member of each team holds a pen each and have to draw a word given to them on a card. As the pens are attached to the same object the contestants will have to fight against one-another to try and draw their designated word. After a given time limit the rest of the members of each team will attempt to guess what their fellow teammate drew.

- The set will be in the style of an art studio to help emphasise the show's agenda and paintings will be attached to the walls made by the crew before filming.


With the pitch presentation ready all that's is to present my idea.

Studio Production Unit: Research - My Desired Channel

The brief requires you decide what channel the show will be broadcast on as well as the airtime.

I initially thought of the channel Dave as the show would consist of comedians and the show's strap line is "The home of witty banter."

So I went onto a website called BARB which are a company that record viewing figures for every British channel. They list the top 10 most viewed shows of the week along with the figures.

I recorded the figures and then went back through the list making a tally of the type of shows that were the most viewed.

I found out that 22 of the 40 shows were comedy focussed with half of them being panel shows. So there's a clear demand along with what Dave broadcasts the most of.

I did the same method for the air-times of the 40 shows and the days they were broadcast.

Days are in the same photo as the show types.

I found that the most common airtime was 10-11pm and Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday were the most common air-dates.

With this in mind I'm going to go with a 10pm airtime and possibly a Sunday as the show wouldn't have to compete with major Saturday shows like The X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. 

Studio Production Unit: Initial Thoughts and Ideas

We were given our brief for the term:
- Develop a detailed pitch for a 30 minute pilot show to be recorded live in the studio.
- The best pitch will be given the green light to go into production.
- Ensure your idea is viable for a studio environment: it can take whatever form you want but it must be original.
- It should have two distinct halves; four VT inserts; and a set with costumes and props along with a specially shot title sequence and credits.

For initial thoughts I had no idea what to do; but during a conversation about it with some of the others I suggested a Pictionary-style gameshow as a joke. I then realised this could actually work so I began to think of how I would do it.



The show consists of 2 teams of 3/4 people.

Round 1: Drawing Round

- Alternate back and forth between different members of each team.
- One person walks to the board; picks a random card and draws what's written.
- The drawer's team has 20 seconds to guess what the word is. If they run out of time then it goes to the other team who have just one guess to get it correct.

Round 2: Items Round

- All but one member of each team go out before the show and make something out of everyday objects in either 2D: flat on the ground, or in 3D.
- This is shown in the form of a VT.
- The lone member of the team who didn't participate has to guess what the team created. If incorrect it again goes to the other team whom have a single guess.

Round 3: Audience Round

- The team have to use the audience to make a word, phrase or even a scene from a popular film. E.g. The word 'Titanic' comes up and so they make two audience members recreate the famous scene on the bow of the cruiser.

Or it could be a word like 'Table' and they audience would have to make the shape of a table.
- All but one member participates. The team electing someone to be the guesser.
- 30-45 seconds to guess.


The title for the show is 'Draw Some'. I was thinking of a pun that incorporated the basis of the show into the title so I linked the words 'Draw' and 'Awesome'. It then dawned me after writing it down that it also sounds like a phrase 'Draw. Some' as in a command or a statement to draw something. With that realisation I felt the name was suitable and stuck with it.