Controlled Assignment Three - Initial Research

Assignment Three - initial tasks

You should now have a good idea about who you working with for Assignment Three and what kind of advertising and marketing campaign you plan to make. 

The first stage of the project is Research and Planning and is worth 15 marks. You'll need to complete the following over the next two weeks:

- Research into similar products (annotated screengrabs from existing advertisements and how they are aimed at teenagers)
- Research into your target audience, which must include audience research (interviews, focus groups or questionnaires)
- Clear organisation of project schedule and mise-en-scene: casting, costumes, props, lighting and locations.
- Clear drafting: script, storyboard and shot list.
- Note: Research and planning is entirely individual and no more than 12 pages of research and planning can be submitted.

Initial tasks

Task 1: Start your production log
This will help you keep a record of all the work you have completed. Your first log needs to cover the following:

1. What your initial thoughts are about the brief: what kind of advertisements do you plan to make to help the promotion of your product?
2. Who you plan to work with? In terms of model or brand development?
3. What you hope to achieve in this assignment?

Task 2: Planning your planning

Make a list of all the research and planning work you need to do for your project. Remember: this is individual. Example:

1. Research existing campaigns to see how they are successful with a potential audience - what is their USP?
2. Decide on target audience and design audience profile
3. Design and use audience research questionnaires
4. Write pitch - outline your ideas for each individual advertisement (remember you have to create three different posters in your campaign to show how you will attract a wider target audience). What size and layout will each advertisement be and why? How does it showcase off your product?

Task 3: Project schedule

Produce a project schedule for the next seven weeks. You need to be organised and make sure you complete every part of the project: Research & planning, filming, editing and evaluation. The Excel spreadsheet template is on the Shared Documents Area in Media Studies > Shared documents.