EVALUATION – Analysis of Constraints

LEGAL – Health and Safety

How it imposes constraints on my media production?

I had to take health and safety issues into consideration when
filming during the production stage. An example of this was while
filming in the gym with heavy and dangerous equipment where
accidents could have happened. During the production of my
documentary I had to make sure that the actors, contributors and
crew were in a safe environment at all times. I could not risk putting
them into any dangerous situations as the safety and well being LEGAL – Copyright
was down to me.
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
How it might have affected my product negatively? Materials such as music and images can not be used for other
As well as filming in the gym, health and safety issues could have
productions unless the owner of those materials has consented.
had a negative affect on my production while I filmed basketball
Using other peoples materials without consent can be a criminal
players playing on the basketball court. One of the shots I wanted
offense.
to capture required me to position myself at a low angle underneath
the basketball hoop while Jamal (basketball player) shot the
basketball by jumping just over me and the camera. If this was not How it might have affected my product negatively?
controlled enough, there could have been accidents or injuries. In the post-production stage of making my product I collected
Another health and safety issue that was raised while filming on the various pieces of music to play in the background in the
basketball court was the issue that other basketball games where documentary. To get these pieces of music the sound was
going on around us as we filmed. Sarah (Crew) and I had to be extracted from them via their YouTube links. I did not get
careful not to get in anyone’s way. permission from owners to feature their music in my documentary.
This may negatively affect my product as I have not followed the
‘copyright’ media law.
How it might have affected my product positively?
While being out and about filming in the production stage I was
aware of my surroundings at all times. Filming was successful and How it might have affected my product positively?
no one got injured in the process. One source that I did not use in my documentary was archive
footage so no one can prosecute me for using their footage. I
made sure that all archive footage I used was filmed and edited by
me.
 LEGAL – Libel
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
Libel is a false publication about a person displayed to the public
that can damage their reputation. In the post-production stage I
had to make sure that I did not misrepresent anyone (especially
expert or general public interviewee’s) and that there were no false
portrayals of each individual.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
I used a lot of vox-pops in my documentary. While I edited them I
had to make sure that I kept each individuals point to their opinion.
I could not cut out any justifications or reasons to answers they
gave as it would have been seen as libel (Taking out part of their
speech could have changed the audiences representation of them).
Example – If someone had made a disrespectful remark about a
basketball player or a ballet dancer and then made it clear that they
were joking and didn’t really mean it, I would have to show the
footage until after they made the point that they were joking.
How it might have affected my product positively?
As the interview that Jessie conducted with Doctor Baloch recorded
too quietly I could not use it in the documentary. Instead I created
graphics to quote some of the point’s doctor Baloch made during
the interview. I made sure that I copied the quotes exactly as the
doctor had said it and did not leave any of his points and opinions
unjustified.
LEGAL – Data protection
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
Everyone has personal privacy rights where only they can decide
who they want to give their personal information to. I am not
allowed to give out any details about any of the contributors without
the permission.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
During the pre-production stage I posted updates of my weekly
progress on my blog. In these posts I have talked about the
different contributors that I wanted to feature in my documentary,
what they specialise in (e.g. Dance or basketball) and where they
work. This can have a negative affect on my product as I have
given out information that contributors have given me to the public.
Anyone can trace them.
How it might have affected my product positively?
In the documentary I showed the audience different forms of
exercise activities that they could start to help them stay fit (e.g.
basketball). To give them an idea about these activities I used to
experts (Tom and Helena) to discuss their specific exercise activity
(Gym workout and Dance). I told the views that they could pick up
these activities but I did not give out contact details such as their
phone numbers or email addresses). This has a positive affect of
my product as the contributors can not be directly contacted by
anyone watching the documentary.
 LEGAL AND ETHICS – Race and Ethnicity
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
My documentary is supposed to target both males and females of
all races and ethnicities. The age of the target audience is
teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16-24 years old
who live in the UK. As there are a range of races and ethnicities
within the UK, I had to make sure that my documentary appeal to all
of them.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
Both of my expert opinions came from two people of the same race
(Tom and Helena). The interview that I filmed with Doctor Baloch
(another expert of a different race) could not be used in the
documentary due to sound problems. The fact that I have not
shown expert opinions of people from different race can have a
negative affect on my documentary as people in the audience with
different races to Tom and Helena may not think that it targets
them.
How it might have affected my product positively?
I have used a range of vox-pops in my documentary and all of the
teens that gave their opinions are from various races, ethnicities
and cultures (e.g. Black, white and Asian etc). These general
public opinions target/ appeal to a range of ethnicities in teen and
young adults. Another way that I have targeted a range of races
and ethnicities in my documentary is by having two presenters of
different races (Jessie and I).
LEGAL AND ETHICS – Privacy
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
Information that is private and confidential is not allowed to be
shown in my documentary unless I have consent from the person
this information concerns. This information may be in the form of
various materials such as letters and images etc.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
While briefing each of the contributors about their role in the
documentary and what they were require from them, I never
mentioned that my documentary would be posted on YouTube
where anyone can view it. This can have a negative affect on my
product as I do not know whether the contributors would be happy
with their points and opinions being broadcasted for everyone to
see.
How it might have affected my product positively?
While filming during the production stage I only filmed what I told
the contributors I would film. I did not go behind anyone’s to get
more footage or Information and I did not secretly film anyone. I
made what I would be filming clear to each contributor from the
start and if I needed to film more of them, I asked them first.
 PROJECT SPECIFIC – Budget
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
One aspect that I had to take into consideration while planning my
documentary was budgeting. If this was a real production real
company I would have been given a budget that I would have had
to stick to and not gone over. I created a table with a list of
equipment and other expenses (Cost to travel etc) that the budget
would have to cover and their prices.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
If I had more money in my budget or the budget was endless I
would have used more camcorders and tripods to film my
movement segments (Jamal playing basketball and Gervaise
running up and down the stairs etc). It would have had more of a
effect on my documentary if a lot of the segments were filmed in a
range of angles and shots.
How it might have affected my product positively?
After completing my documentary I realised that I did not go over
my budget. This has a positive affect on my product. A lot the
equipment and other expenses that I listed in the pre-production
stage did not need to be funded. The majority of locations that I
filmed at were within walking distance for both me and the other
presenter so the cost to travel was cut down. I also thought that I
would need more crew e.g. a sound operator and technician
supervisor but I did not.
PROJECT SPECIFIC – Technology
How it imposes constraints on my media production?
I used a range of technology for each stage of this production.
During the pre-production stage I mainly used websites such as
‘Blogger’ and ‘Scribd’ to upload and broadcast my work. I also
used a website called ‘SurveyMonkey’ to create questionnaire and
results tables when choosing a documentary topic. During the
production stage I used a range of equipment such as a
camcorder, different microphones and a tripod etc. I was
responsible for all of this equipment and had to make sure that
none of it got damaged or stolen. In the post-production stage I
used an iMac, a USB Microphone and a camcorder. I did not have
any difficulties with equipment during this stage and I was always
able to use the iMac when I needed it.
How it might have affected my product negatively?
Throughout this production I have had to upload work onto my blog.
To upload this work onto the blog, I have to begin by upload the
word document or PowerPoint document (programmes I used to
complete my work) onto a website called ‘Scribd’. Once the work
has been uploaded onto Scribd, I copy the documents embedded
link and paste onto my blog.
On numerous occasions during this production I have had problems
with scribd. There have been times where it has not uploaded my
work properly or at all and I have to upload the documents again
and again until it works.
How it might have affected my product positively?
While out filming interviews I used the ‘Rode Microphone’. I think
this positively affect my documentary as the sound quality the Rode
Microphone produces is good. My interviews were clear and
understandable.
 TV INDUSTRY SPECIFIC – Regulatory and
self-regulatory (OFCOM/ BBC)

How it imposes constraints on my media production?

OFCOM controls the ‘broadcasting code’ which has rules that
explains how the standards of programmes should be (as well as
the fairness, sponsorship and privacy of the programme). These
rules include reconstructions, secret filming and dealing with
contributors.

How it might have affected my product negatively?

The rule that makes reference to ‘dealing with contributors’ talks
about the importance of getting consent from all contributors. If my
experts did not give consent for me to film them but did give me
consent to interview them and I secretly recorded them and used
the interview in my documentary, I will have violated this rule as
well as others (Privacy etc).

How it might have affected my product positively?

I did not use any ‘offensive material’ in my documentary. This has
a positive affect on my product as none of my audience will be
offended or hurt by anything I displayed. Another positive is that I
did not do any secret filming so none of the contributors can argue
that I have not respected their privacy.