1000 word report

Understanding the commission process for writing for television and video

In this report, I will attempt to understand the commissioning process for writing for television and video. To do this I will cover the job roles within the commissioning process, the role of the writer throughout the production, how writers work and legal and ethical consideration of writing for TV and film. It is hoped that by improving my understanding of this are I can improve my own written work.

The job roles within the commissioning process include roles such as commissioning editors, producers, script editors, agents and writers. The commissioning editor has the power and the final say to decide and let you know whether the idea you have given will be in production or not; in simple terms, they are just like buyers they commission work by finding authors or responding to book proposals. They are involved in every stage of the project they are the key link in between the initial proposal and the published work therefore they have responsibilities which includes things like conducting internet research, draw up surveys to identify demands, and attending relevant conferences. Their typical work activities involve building up a publishers list of titles for a specific genre, managing the list in the current market as well as identifying future markets and new products and titles with commercial potential.

Producers are the glue of the production; their role is to bring all the elements of the production team together and has a significant involvement in selecting the script.

Script editors work closely with the writer to help the script be as successful as possible. The script editor will not write the script but will offer guidance and advices on it etc.

Agents have the role to act in the interest of the writer’s fees, exposure etc.

And finally, the writer is the one who is responsible for the initial story and the script.

Some of the commissioning bodies in which I have found are BBC, Independent Cinema office, and The Sunday Times.

The role of a commissioning writer/editor in TV or Video is primarily to work for a large production an example would be channel 4 which hosts a lot of independent productions which suggests that they commission these production companies to produce documentaries, dramas etc. 

Character Breakdown

Character Breakdown

Jino: Protagonist

The main character in my story has had a dark past in which he starts to have the mentality of someone who is too lazy and someone who doesn't care about what happens around him or to him. He sits at home eats, plays games and goes to sleep that's his routine, given his personality he's the type that wants something interesting to happen to him any moment.

My character is a young man who isn't the tallest but isn't the shortest either, has a gloomy look on his face. Black medium hair.

In terms of personality my character is very cold and serious most of the time given the fact that he's had a dark past and that his always stuck up alone in his room at home, his attitude is what makes him strive to do something fun and interesting although he hides it.

Following on the emotional makeup my character would rather be someone who either gets easily angered or hesitant.




Unknown M.S : Antagonist


This is the antagonist of my short film is called Drake Dio otherwise known as in the organisation as the "Mad Man", the only thing that is known about this antagonist is that he was the one that started this sudden disappearance he controls a big organisation that has suddenly risen up to popularity and his goal now is to test the people outside of his organisation on how they would fare on his little plan. Moreover it is a strict organisation any failure would not be tolerated.






Neill/Diora

This is the third character who could either be a female and become the protagonists love interest or a male and become the protagonists shield and striving force. I'm not entirely sure of this character yet however I know that this character will eventually reveal themselves.

• My character is 17y.o || Name is Jino
• Neet
• He lives in a village
• He was born in London
• He lives with his mother
• He only has a couple of friends
• Gaming/doing activities.
• Play games and sometimes go out for a walk.

In my short film I think I'd only want to have no more than three characters, one being the protagonist the other being the antagonist and a character who either develops feelings for the protagonist or someone who becomes a friend and tags along with you to keep you reminded about your purpose etc.

Five Elements

FIVE ELEMENTS

Story -  My story is about a young man who one day finds out one of his closest friend has disappeared without a word, then finds out that there is an unknown organisation that made a sudden appearance and has caused every people's close friends to disappear to test who would actually make the time and effort to find their close friends.


Character - Jino - Very cold, serious, however inside is a caring person. These features derive from the fact that he's a stuck up gamer and enjoys nothing else in life as he's inability to think of a future ruins him mentally and because of that he acts in a very cold manner as he thinks everyone else is better than him, but the caring part of him is only there when he relates to someone else as he feels he's not the only one.


Quincy - A straightforward friend who tries to bring good feelings around. A friend of Jino who he has been with for more than 3 years and continues to be side by side with Jino.


Diora - A girl who shares a similar ideology to Jino however is optimistic and tries her best to achieve what she thinks can be done. She meets up with Jino during the game and understands his side and tries to help therefore making her very friendly and a helpful companion, she's the driving force for Jino.


Drake Dio - A lunatic mad man, emotionless and cold. The man who is obnoxious and makes people value their lives by putting them into a test game which makes me think and understand their own value. He is persistent but calm, his orders are absolute.


Visuals - The visuals will be represented as dark blue and black-ish as these types of colours give different kinds of connotations which are all useful and links in with my type of film atmosphere for example blue gives the connotations of health and calming effects and power. Black gives the connotations of elegance, power, death, mystery and evil which are the major points of my film it is usually a negative connotations and associates with negative thoughts. These colours would be useful and effective in showing my scenes as they will be holding the eerie and dark atmosphere that I'm aiming for in my film, I want the film to have that scary passage with a light in the end of the tunnel to show that hard work will be paid off and that there's hope in everything in life you just have to strive for that goal.


Sound - Eerie and dark when Jino is feeling worried and terrified about where he is and how he could pull of what he is doing. Calm and reassuring when he's having thoughts on what he should be doing next. And hopeful lively music when he teams up with his new friend to achieve their goal. And for romance I'd also have a calm lovely music to put up the feeling and emotion for people to get into. Lastly, when it comes to actions I'd have some drum plays which build up suspense and tension making the audience eager and attentive as well as entertained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-t16baXoVo&index=2&list=FLHVWKIuMry6BKEZYiD96KLQ – For calming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrQ5OehdlEw&list=FLHVWKIuMry6BKEZYiD96KLQ&index=1 For eerie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYkBs1Ah4JY&list=FLHVWKIuMry6BKEZYiD96KLQ&index=7 For love.

Theme - The power of friendship always lasts. Will this be true, can Jino save his best friend from the danger that has engulfed them. Some people who are participating in this game will either be teaming up and using strategies and smart plans to overtake their obstacles whereas others will be doing it alone, which is better.

3 Top Sheets

Title:

Diginogical Crystal

Concept:

My story is that about someone who has the illusion that if he acquires an item called the Diginogical Crystal he can change fatal mistakes in the world. But the crystal is only a legend he will have to find ways to find it.

Genre:

Mystery and psychological

Setting:

City

Tag line

Does legend live up to it’s name?

Target Audience:

The target audience for this will be from 20-35

Format:

Film

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Title:

Sea of Blood

Concept:

My story is about a girl who has her memories erased and is living a life in a small village, not knowing what brought her here and why she is living like that, but all she knows is that she has to get rid of creatures that appear in the village, her father who aids her is hiding his true identity from her as he is one puppets being used in this experiment.

Genre:

Horror

Setting:

Village

Tag line:

Will she be able to remember her origins?

Target audience:

Teenagers from 17 to adults 30

Format:

Show

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Title:

Pawn’s Game

Concept:

My story is about a boy who likes a girl but what’s stopping him is the fact that the girl has a father who owns a deadly and a really well-known high company.

Genre:

Romance/mystery

Setting:

City

Tag line:

Will it be worth the risk.

Target Audience:

Teenagers to young adults

Format:

Film