1. WORKING AS A WRITER RYAN BEDELL

2. TYPES OF RESEARCH PRIMARY Original research to obtain new information. Methods used to obtain this information include questionnaires, interviews & surveys. Strengths: Direct and current information gathered by yourself Weakness: The demographic group of people you are interviewing may not be within the demographic audience you are targeting. SECONDARY Existing information gathered by other people. Same methods used as Primary research but conducted by a third party.

3. TYPES OF RESEARCH QUANTITATIVE Research that is mainly measurable information such as numerical and statistical data usually in the form of graphs and diagrams QUALITATIVE Research that contains the opinions, attitudes and figures as opposed to facts and figues. Methods used to obtain this information are Interviews & Vox Pop STRENGTHS: Gathers the opinions attidudes of your target audience therefore much stronger basis to go on than primary research which consists of yes or no answers. WEAKNESS: Extremely Time-consuming and expensive for large amounts of data to be gathered.

4. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH Research undertaken by media companies has three man purposes Market Research & Production research. MARKET RESEARCH This type of research is used by media companies in order to effectively target the correct audience. It composes of finding out statistical data about the size and profile of the audience for the particular media product. This type of research also analyses audiences awareness for the particular media product and how the audience would react to the media product. Market research is also used to analyze current competition within the market as well as current Trends.

5. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH Visual representation of Market Research and what is involves

6. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH PRODUCTION RESEARCH This type of research is conducted If market research is favorable and the media company is willing to launch a new product within the market therefore product research is needed. Product research composes of gathering information regarding the new product, researching whether the product is commercially viable and investigation into whether the technology and personnel are available in order to make the product.

7. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH An example of how a production team may use film trailers to determine a certain trend in a particular genre of film.

8. CURRENT PRACTICES SCRIPTWRITER Scriptwriters are responsible for writing the screenplay and delivering it in the required format. Scriptwriters come in two forms Freelance and Commissioned Scriptwriters. Freelance Scriptwriters who are freelance write the script themselves using their own original ideas and then pitch it to Producers in the hope that their Script will be commissioned into a screenplay. An example of a freelance script writer is Matt Damon who wrote “Good Will Hunting” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119217/

9. CURRENT PRACTICES Matt Damon & Ben Affleck co-wrote “Good Will Hunting” an example of a freelance scriptwriter.

10. CURRENT PRACTICES Commissioned Scriptwriters Scriptwriters who are commissioned work for a producer to create a script from the producers concept such as an existing screen work i.e. a remake, novel, poem, play comic book or short story. An example of a commissioned scriptwriter is Peter Jackson who wrote the script for the “Lord of the Rings Trilogy” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/

11. CURRENT PRACTICES Peter Jackson a commissioned scriptwriter on set of “The Lord of the Rings” formerly a book written by J.R Tolkien

12. CURRENT PRACTICES RESPONSIBILITES OF A SCRIPT-WRITER Scriptwriters provide a basis on which the Production team including the Producer, Direction, Production Designer, Composer and Editor can work on so the screenplay can capture the imagination of the viewers “see the film unfold cinematically in their imagination”. In order to do this the Producer requires that the Scriptwriter produce a script which includes high quality creative writing as well as to meet strict deadlines in order to achieve a finished screenplay.

13. CONTRACTS Scriptwriters need to be aware of legal agreements that relate to their employment in the form of Contracts. Scriptwriters need to be aware of what they are being asked to do, when they will be required to work, what payment they will receive and what is included and what is not. Scriptwriters can visit www.bectu.orge.uk which is a trade union official website for more information about Contracts.www.bectu.orge.uk

14. LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSTRAINTS Production companies and screenwriters need to consider the legal & ethical issues before releasing any contect as if the production company fails to follow these practices they could end up in court. The majority of UK Production companies and scriptwriters follow Ofcom’s broadcasting code guidelines. Found here http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/ LEGAL ISSUES & ETHICAL ISSUES There are a range of practices that scriptwriters have to follow such as Libel Law, Discrimination legislation, Obscenity and Watershed.

15. LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSTRAINTS LIBEL LAW Scriptwriters can be sued for damages if you publish things about a person which are untrue and damage their reputation. DISCRIMNATION LEGISLATION Scriptwriters can be taken to court on the grounds of discrimination if any discrimination is found within their work. This can include race, gender an age. WATERSHED If a Scriptwriter is commissioned by a UK Television company they would have to consider the UK Watershed when producing content for that allocated timeslot. (Starts 10pm ends 5pm during this time adult content is allowed e.g strong language, sexual scenes & violence)

16. BIBLOGRAPHY EDEXCEL CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION CREATIVESKILLSET.ORG PROSPECTS.AC.UK OFCOM.ORG.UK IMDB.COM