A Systems Approach to Video Production TC 427 Dan Dullea

System Interactive, interdependent group of elements that form a unified whole that has a purpose. Complex systems require management, which requires organization.

Subsystems in a Media Production Environment Technical System Content System Social System

Technical System All the equipment used to produce the images and sound on tape or film

Social System Every member of the production team is an element of this system (Producers, directors, crew, writers, engineers, actors, editors)

Content System The script with all it’s ideas, information and elements including the emotional expression created.

The Producers Challenge To handle the myriad personal, social, technical and creative elements so that everything happens as it should, on time, and in a quality manner.

Proper Planning and Preparation are Essential

There are too many details to rely on memory or instance alone!

Complex Systems Require Management and Organization A systems approach imposes discipline to Identify all the parts while at the same time maintaining a vision of the whole. Daily organization and and management of the smallest detail is the only way to get the job done well.

Whether the element is people, equipment, or subject matter (content) or how the subject matter is expressed, a systems approach saves time, energy and money.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS THE KEY Each and every element of every subsystem requires focused attention No element is too small to be regarded as unimportant Never assume that details will take care of themselves Do not fall in to the path of least resistance.

Payoff to Systems Thinking You will develop a detailed accurate mental check list. When you see the elements as part of a system, you can quickly create this check list and integrate it into your professional life style.

People Make Mistakes For A Reason They don’t know something They don’t think about it They don’t follow instructions Or some combination of these

When mistakes happen learning can occur and the likelihood is greater, that during the next production, each of those details will be checked and double checked. A mistake is bad only when it doe not result in learning.

The objective is to keep mistakes to a minimum. This requires listening, learning and thinking!

To produce effective programs, you must understand and manage all three subsystems.

Entropy Second law of Thermodynamics? In information theory the term is used to designate the capacity of elements to undergo spontaneous change that leads to disorder and chaos! The result: things break, things die, things decay.

Is this the origins of Murphy’s Law? Should we simply be discouraged and despair?

Neg-Entropy Acts that create order and organization. This increases a systems ability to continue functioning. (polish your shoes, brush your teeth, oil metal surfaces to prevent rust)

This rule applies equally to hard systems (cameras, lights, microphones, editing equipment) and to soft systems (communication, personal relationships)

Feedback A system needs information about its performance to to adjust to changing circumstances. Can be positive or negative. Examples: playing back tapes on location or asking How’s it going? (particularly from the client or target audience)

Production companies use step by step procedures to require that clients become part of the process.There are periodic reviews at each step of the process and clients are often required to sign off on these elements so the production house is no longer responsible if changes occur later.

Continuous feedback assures the producer that the work is acceptable and stays within time constraints and budgetary limitations !

Social System The weakest links The strongest links Attitude is all! Cooperative interaction

Content System Best way of seeing content relationships Story: beginning, middle and end. With subsystems like: theme, plot, dialogue, conflict, climax Commercials: the hook, the pitch, the appeal, the context Training program: narrative, interviews, testimonials, data, graphics,

Every program is made of content elements that require identification (what to include) and organization (order) and expression (How can it best be presented).

Technical System This subsystem is the only one that regularly utilizes trial and error. Pre-test and double check everything you can. Attention to detail critical There is a significant difference in knowing how to operate a piece of equipment and understanding trouble shooting and quirks

When Content, Social, and Technical Systems Are Well Coordinated Marvelous Things Can Happen.