Working to a brief
Structure of briefs:
Contractual- A contractual brief is a contract that explains the rules between a client and the worker. It is also outlined in an employment contract, for example, written work for publication. An example of a contractual brief would be between an actor and a film company. If an actor signs a contractual brief they a legally bound to do what ever it says on that contract. Also the contracts are usually easy and clear to read. The contracts can benefit both the client and the company because if someone tells the other to do something and its to in the contract then they don't have to do it. Or if they go against the contract they have proof. Plus if something bad happens its a legal document so they can use it to help them in court for proof. As well as the contract being easy to read it is also easy to complete with extra information. You get very clear information from this kind of brief too because they have strict guidelines so you know what you should be doing and when it should be done for. However this brief can also be seen as being too controlling for a production company because it doesn't leave much room for creative freedom. For example if the client had one idea and the company wanted to expand it they wouldn't be able to because of the specific instructions on the contract. This brief cant be breeched either without having legal consequences. Another disadvantage would be before you sign the contract you must make sure that you agree with everything that is written on it and both the client and the company are happy with what's on it as well this is because once it is signed you can not make any changes on it.
Negotiated- A negotiated brief is when two or more companies come together to talk about a project they would like to do together. They will talk about the project and discuss many ideas before they settle on just one idea. If an employee and client are not clear with the ideas or are unsure on their final idea then it can cause arguments in the long run and can create a bad working environment and the problem with a bad working environment is that you wont be able to work well together and achieve the things you need to do on the negotiated grief. Another good thing about this brief is that both companies can bring there great ideas together and they can also help each other to improve them. Plus when you work together when coming up with ideas you can negotiate which means they will be less fighting/conflict and if there does end up being a conflict then you can resolve it quickly and nicely because you will be working together as a team. When negotiating with a client you have a better understanding of what they want and if you have a better understanding what ever you're working on will turn out good if not better than what was expected. Also when negotiating you can find out beneficial things for example you can both negotiate how to save money because one person might want one thing but the other person could find something that will be cheaper and more beneficial for the project you're doing. The disadvantages to a brief like this is that the employers might never come to agreement so they might just part there ways and not work together. It can become very draining when discussing something over and over if you do not agree on it which the cause arguments that might never resolve. If they discuss something for too long then they might miss out on precious time that they could have used to actually make the project they're talking about as well.
Formal- A formal brief is a contract from the client telling the company what they want them to do. The contract is also very clear which means it only tells you what you need to do, nothing else and the contract is easy to read. The formal contract is easy to read which means the company can start the project pretty much straight away and will be able to get it done quick and simply because they're very clear in the contract and because the contract is quick and simple to read the client will not be surprising the company with any new idea's to stop or slow them down with the project they're doing. Plus by sticking to the ideas it means that the work will be done more professionally and better because they will be no distractions. However the contract can not be changed so if the company needs more money to make the project they're making better they can't because of the rules of this contract. So if you where really desperate for extra things you would need to purchase this yourself with your own money.
Informal- An informal brief is something that has to be done together with the client. The good thing about this brief is that these kind of briefs can be done quickly in meetings because it is only a small discussion where as other briefs take a lot longer because they have to discuss rules and regulations. Another good thing about this brief is that you can change ideas through out the process and because you can change things throughout the brief you can improve ideas and make the project better. However the bad things about this brief is that the client can just change things in the project which will make you lose time when making it and you will not be able to do it to your best ability. Many of the things are verbally told which means you don't have a written document to prove things if they go wrong and because there isn't a written document if something goes legally wrong you haven't got anything to back you up or prove the other people wrong. Only being told what to do can be disadvantage because you might forget somethings and that can make the other client angry/upset because there work will not have been done exactly the way they wanted and this can mean they wont pay you. You only have a verbal contract so you have nothing to say that you should get paid either which is why not many people find this to be a good contract.
Commission- When someone commissions a brief it means they hire a different media company to create a product for them. This includes formulating their own research, ideas and proposals for the product which is then overseen by a commissioner. The advantage of this is that the media company get paid for doing their job as well as getting to share the money that the other company mad which means they get a good, healthy profit. This works well for the company because it means they have more time to do the work and they can get really involved with the project without actually having to get involved. The disadvantages are the company do not have as much input on the design aspect of the project which means it might not turn out exactly the way they wanted it to. By the end of the project you might not have as much profit as you thought because you have to share it out to other share holders and investors.
Tender- A tender brief is when you publish and advertise an advert showing that they need a products to be made. Production company's will create and send their brief and adaptions to see what the client would like to try. On the brief it will show things like how much money they will need, how the product with will be produced, etc. Then they usually wait for the client to make up their mind and contact them back with what they want to do. A good thing about this brief is that the client gets given a bunch of different options to choose from so they have a lot of ideas to choose from/work with. They also might be given ideas that they haven't even thought of and the idea might have been better than there own. The disadvantage is that if you submit your ideas and the client does not like them and you cant produce any ideas that they might like they will not want to work with you.
Cooperative- This is a brief that has to be done with a client. The best thing about this brief is that its easy and sets out a nice environment for both the company and the client. This kind of brief usually takes less time to complete because more people are working on it and because more people are involved it means more creative ideas. Each section of the project will get the attention it deserves because each person will have their own part on the project. This means that the project will turn out better. The bad things about this brief are that its mostly a verbal brief so there are no contracts involved which means if something goes wrong you have no legal documents to back you up. Also by talking you might forget something important which needs to be included in the brief and it also looks unprofessional almost like you where not prepared enough to make brief.
Degree of discretion in interoperating brief: When getting a brief you can either go with what's written on it or interpret into a way that will work for you and client. But you mostly try your best to make it work with the client because otherwise they might not want to work with you and you wont make any profit. For example Ok Go made a one shot video and they liked some of the ideas that where given to them but also changed it a little so then its more like them.
Constraints (legal, ethical, regulatory)- Legally you have to do what ever it says on the brief as long as it doesn't breech your ethical rights. But you shouldn't sign it if you think its going to breech your rights.
Amendments- Amendments are very helpful in a brief. For example if you don't agree with something you can request to change it whether that means you would like a better profit or you would like to change some ideas to make your project better.
Opportunities- When working with other companies you learn a lot that can help improve your own company. For example you learn about patience and team work because working with a client it might take them a while to make up there final idea and if people want change your idea you have to be willing to work with them. You learn how to listen to your clients and how to solve problems with too. When receiving other briefs you can learn how to improve your own as well.
Negotiated- A negotiated brief is when two or more companies come together to talk about a project they would like to do together. They will talk about the project and discuss many ideas before they settle on just one idea. If an employee and client are not clear with the ideas or are unsure on their final idea then it can cause arguments in the long run and can create a bad working environment and the problem with a bad working environment is that you wont be able to work well together and achieve the things you need to do on the negotiated grief. Another good thing about this brief is that both companies can bring there great ideas together and they can also help each other to improve them. Plus when you work together when coming up with ideas you can negotiate which means they will be less fighting/conflict and if there does end up being a conflict then you can resolve it quickly and nicely because you will be working together as a team. When negotiating with a client you have a better understanding of what they want and if you have a better understanding what ever you're working on will turn out good if not better than what was expected. Also when negotiating you can find out beneficial things for example you can both negotiate how to save money because one person might want one thing but the other person could find something that will be cheaper and more beneficial for the project you're doing. The disadvantages to a brief like this is that the employers might never come to agreement so they might just part there ways and not work together. It can become very draining when discussing something over and over if you do not agree on it which the cause arguments that might never resolve. If they discuss something for too long then they might miss out on precious time that they could have used to actually make the project they're talking about as well.
Formal- A formal brief is a contract from the client telling the company what they want them to do. The contract is also very clear which means it only tells you what you need to do, nothing else and the contract is easy to read. The formal contract is easy to read which means the company can start the project pretty much straight away and will be able to get it done quick and simply because they're very clear in the contract and because the contract is quick and simple to read the client will not be surprising the company with any new idea's to stop or slow them down with the project they're doing. Plus by sticking to the ideas it means that the work will be done more professionally and better because they will be no distractions. However the contract can not be changed so if the company needs more money to make the project they're making better they can't because of the rules of this contract. So if you where really desperate for extra things you would need to purchase this yourself with your own money.
Informal- An informal brief is something that has to be done together with the client. The good thing about this brief is that these kind of briefs can be done quickly in meetings because it is only a small discussion where as other briefs take a lot longer because they have to discuss rules and regulations. Another good thing about this brief is that you can change ideas through out the process and because you can change things throughout the brief you can improve ideas and make the project better. However the bad things about this brief is that the client can just change things in the project which will make you lose time when making it and you will not be able to do it to your best ability. Many of the things are verbally told which means you don't have a written document to prove things if they go wrong and because there isn't a written document if something goes legally wrong you haven't got anything to back you up or prove the other people wrong. Only being told what to do can be disadvantage because you might forget somethings and that can make the other client angry/upset because there work will not have been done exactly the way they wanted and this can mean they wont pay you. You only have a verbal contract so you have nothing to say that you should get paid either which is why not many people find this to be a good contract.
Commission- When someone commissions a brief it means they hire a different media company to create a product for them. This includes formulating their own research, ideas and proposals for the product which is then overseen by a commissioner. The advantage of this is that the media company get paid for doing their job as well as getting to share the money that the other company mad which means they get a good, healthy profit. This works well for the company because it means they have more time to do the work and they can get really involved with the project without actually having to get involved. The disadvantages are the company do not have as much input on the design aspect of the project which means it might not turn out exactly the way they wanted it to. By the end of the project you might not have as much profit as you thought because you have to share it out to other share holders and investors.
Tender- A tender brief is when you publish and advertise an advert showing that they need a products to be made. Production company's will create and send their brief and adaptions to see what the client would like to try. On the brief it will show things like how much money they will need, how the product with will be produced, etc. Then they usually wait for the client to make up their mind and contact them back with what they want to do. A good thing about this brief is that the client gets given a bunch of different options to choose from so they have a lot of ideas to choose from/work with. They also might be given ideas that they haven't even thought of and the idea might have been better than there own. The disadvantage is that if you submit your ideas and the client does not like them and you cant produce any ideas that they might like they will not want to work with you.
Cooperative- This is a brief that has to be done with a client. The best thing about this brief is that its easy and sets out a nice environment for both the company and the client. This kind of brief usually takes less time to complete because more people are working on it and because more people are involved it means more creative ideas. Each section of the project will get the attention it deserves because each person will have their own part on the project. This means that the project will turn out better. The bad things about this brief are that its mostly a verbal brief so there are no contracts involved which means if something goes wrong you have no legal documents to back you up. Also by talking you might forget something important which needs to be included in the brief and it also looks unprofessional almost like you where not prepared enough to make brief.
Reading a brief:
When making a brief you have to make sure that you include everything that you would like to be done with your project because if you don't include it then it wont be done. But it all depends on what brief you choose to do because ass you can see above they're quite a few briefs to choose from. You have to choose which brief will be best for the project you're trying to produce. For example a contractual brief will mean that you will sit down and organise everything and have a legal document to back you up if it goes wrong where as if you have a cooperative brief it will only be verbal and although its quicker and easier you would not have a legal document backing up your project if something goes legally wrong.
Negotiating the brief:
Consultation with client: Having a brief for your client is very important but it depends what kind of client you have for example some clients might find it more helpful to have a contract instead of a verbal brief. Also if you don't have a brief you will look unprofessional and they might not want to work with you. You have to make sure you choose what brief works best with your client so then you can do your best work with them and if you produce something they like then they will most likely come back for some more work from you.
Degree of discretion in interoperating brief: When getting a brief you can either go with what's written on it or interpret into a way that will work for you and client. But you mostly try your best to make it work with the client because otherwise they might not want to work with you and you wont make any profit. For example Ok Go made a one shot video and they liked some of the ideas that where given to them but also changed it a little so then its more like them.
Constraints (legal, ethical, regulatory)- Legally you have to do what ever it says on the brief as long as it doesn't breech your ethical rights. But you shouldn't sign it if you think its going to breech your rights.
Amendments- Amendments are very helpful in a brief. For example if you don't agree with something you can request to change it whether that means you would like a better profit or you would like to change some ideas to make your project better.
Opportunities- When working with other companies you learn a lot that can help improve your own company. For example you learn about patience and team work because working with a client it might take them a while to make up there final idea and if people want change your idea you have to be willing to work with them. You learn how to listen to your clients and how to solve problems with too. When receiving other briefs you can learn how to improve your own as well.
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