analysis of constraints

Analysis of Constraints Industry and professional codes

How it imposes constraints on media production?

How might it have affected your product negatively ?

How it might have affected your product positively ?

LEGAL – Health and Safety

Health and safety is the protecting of employees and others contributing to the overall production against risk to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work. A media production must therefore ensure that they abide by the health and safety regulations which may have an affect on the overall production as particular stunts or activities may not be allowed to take place. Furthermore, a media production will be limited in the amount of resources available to them. A media production must carry out risk assessments. There are regulations which cover specific risks such as manual handling, work with substances hazardous to health and work at display screen equipment. If risk assessments aren't carried out by a media production team, charges will the producer will be legally responsible.

I was very aware of the health and safety laws and always ensured that I was safe when filming and my contributors felt safe when being filmed. So the issue of health and safety didn’t really affect my production negatively. However, if I didn’t monitor the health and safety of my contributors especially then legal action could have be taken against me as I would be legally responsible.

By ensuring that the health and safety of my contributors were kept in mind it has enabled me to evade legal action being taken against me . Furthermore, if my contributors had been affected by issues involving my inability to carry out risk assessments thereby having an affect on their health and safety, it would have been of great disadvantage to me especially as I would have to find an immediate replacement to ensure the three interviews of my documentary. So ensuring the health and safety of my contributors allowed me to complete my production.





LEGAL – Copyright

“Copyright is the set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work.” ‐ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_ law The way in which this law can impose constraints on a media production is that if the rights of a particular song or captured footage isn’t approved then the owner may take legal action against them which will have an affect on the overall production as it could mean increased costs which will inevitable have an affect on the expenditure budget. In effect, not abiding by the copyright laws may being the production to a standstill. Before a media production is to commence, they should carefully analyse all the copyrighted material in which they must ask permission to use.

In my production I used a lot of copyrighted material like music, music videos and news paper articles in which I didn’t ask permission and may therefore have a big impact on the overall production. Firstly, my finished production can’t be copyrighted as I primarily used archive footage to illustrates arguments. Copyright only applies to ‘Original Work’ so others can take my idea and possibly use the information or re‐create the entire production using my concept and ideas. This will have an affect on my production’s place in the market as other media productions will be producing similar texts to mine. Furthermore, using somebody else’s material would mean that I’d have to pay a fee for the material and anytime that it may be shown in the future. This referring to the YouTube videos. This would have an affect on the overall expenditure budget which could have a costly affect on the whole production as I may not be able to pay for the replacement of broken equipment or editing staff for example.

If I had used my own material instead of relying on archive footage, music, and images then I would have been able to copyright my work in which I would be able to sell the right to others. Others would have to ask for my permission to use my original work in which I could refuse thereby maintain my USP. Not having my work copyrighted would unable me to do so.





LEGAL – Libel

"Libel" involves the publishing of a falsehood that harms someone. Slander is the same doctrine applied to the spoken word. Collectively, they are referred to as "defamation". Both are a matter of state laws, which usually (not always) require that the falsehood be intentional ‐ http://www.spectacle.org/freespch/musm /libel.html Libel refers to words spoken against a certain individual which has been broadcasted to a large audience. The individual as the right to press charges and take legal action against the production which could determine whether the production gets broadcasted.

I ensured that all the information I included in my documentary was true and therefore means that I couldn't be accused of being libelous. However, a few of contributors like Nana Louis, spoke negatively about certain individuals which could be considered to be libelous. The broadcaster may feel that the information included in my documentary may come across as defamation and can have the authority to refuse the right to broadcast it to the general public. I ensured that the music I included in my production was censored regarding the lyrics. If the lyrics contained abusive lyrics offending an individual or an organisaion like the government. I could be accused of being libelous as I incorporated it in my production.

Ensuring that all the information incorporated in documentary was true and didn’t offend an individual or group of people would ensure the rights for my production being broadcasted to the general public.





LEGAL – Data Protection

‘The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly.’ ‐ http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_co ver/data_protection/the_basics.aspx

It could be argued that I disregarded the data protection act as I included a lot information on specific individuals in my production through archive footage, and newspaper articles. Others may take offence to in proper use of their personal current events. Like Maniac and Snoopy being accused of killing a pregnant girl. The families of the accused may feel that their rights aren't being protected.

IT ensures that all the information included in my documentary is true and viable. More individuals would have an interest in a documentary that protects the rights of others compared to one that didn’t.





LEGAL AND ETHICAL – Race and Ethnicity

The law requires a media production to respect the beliefs of others, not to discriminate and stereotype a race or ethnic group. A media production may not deliberately set out to discriminate or stereotype others but it depends on how the topic is being addressed and of how the audience may perceive it. For example, a media production focusing on gun crime in the UK may feature primarily one ethnic group with some variations. But the audience may see it as a form of discrimination or stereotype solely on how the topic would have been addressed. To ensure that the law requirements are met, a media production would try to involve a variety of different ethnicities.

My production featured primarily one ethnic group which could negatively impact my production as it may be misinterpreted by audience. Featuring one ethnic group in relation to the issue of crime in the UK may suggest to my audience that my production is accusing black people for the increase in crime. This isn’t what I was trying to portray in my documentary but it may be perceived the audience. Alongside that issue, featuring one ethnic will affect the appeal of my overall production as only those of the ethnic group would be able to adapt to the situation and feelings of those in my production.

Including a variety of different ethnicities would broaden the overall appeal of my production as it would be suitable for everyone. The idea of segregation or accusation would ultimately be disregarded as everyone would be seen as equals in my production. Furthermore, it would minimise the chances of misinterpreted ideas as I riskily focused on the concept of aggressive music and crime in the UK which has always been stereotyped towards those of colour (black people) and I featured them predominantly.

A variety would provide a balance of arguments and minimise the chances of an offensive persona .





LEGAL AND ETHICAL – Privacy

"Any infringement of privacy in programmes or in connection with obtaining material included in programmes, must be warranted“ If the privacy of others is ignored in a production then others may take offence to the information obtained about them. Possibly, if an individual has information that would provide a balanced argument that they feel is an invasion of their privacy would impact the production. ‘A privacy policy is a legal document that discloses some or all of the ways a party gathers, uses, discloses and manages a customer's data. The exact contents of a privacy policy will depend upon the applicable law and may need to address the requirements of multiple countries or jurisdictions’ ‐ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_p olicy

All the information incorporated into my documentary was true and therefore means that I can’t be accused of invading an individuals privacy. However, I did include a newspaper article of a young victim who died because of knife crime. This could be seen as an invasion of the victim’s and the family’s privacy as the information was for the sole purpose of being broadcasted on the BBC news. If felt passionate about, the family could take legal action against me for not respecting the victim’s privacy. This could lead to a lawsuit where a sum would be announced by the courts. This would negatively impact my product as the budget would be jeopardized thereby resulting in not being able to finish the production. Also, those affected by the death may protest to it being broadcasted which will mean that my topic wont be able to reach the audience, effectively meaning to be a waste of time.

In the pre production stage I published a few emails from possibly contributors which does invade their privacy.

The fact that I respected the privacy of others in my production has meant that legal action wont be taken against me which will mean that it will be suitable to be broadcasted to the general public.





PROJECT SPECIFIC ‐ Budget

www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/ studentnews/03/15/financial. glossary/index.html ‐ A plan that estimates income and expenses in order to achieve financial goals

Every media production will have a budget in which they must keep to. This will include the equipment used, the staff, food etc

Depending on far the budget stretches, it cant have a big impact on the overall production. A cheaper more inextensible budget would have constraints on the quality of technology and the skills of those employed which would have an affect on the whole production.

I was able to under spend in relation to the pretended forecasted expenditure budget. However, if the budget was real and I were to over spend due to my inability to prepare for future events I would have had to pay money from my own personal finance because the debts would have been incurred by me, not the production. The budget meant that I couldn’t interview more professional contributors like Wiley, Bashy and Logan Sama as some requested for some form of payment and the budget didn’t cover it. This therefore meant that I had to feature those who would be able to do it for free or within the budget. This had an overall impact on product as the level of communication wasn’t of a standard that would be understood by everyone.

Furthermore, my production featured predominately archive footage which would have been extremely costly since I didn’t ask permission to use it. This would have affect on the production as a percentage of the budget would already be spent on footage that isn’t mine. Therefore, I would be limited to the resources that I could purchase and employ.

Being able to meet the costs of the expenditure budget, with contingency expenses, would mean that the production would run more smoothly as it would be more organised and well thought out. The fact that I considered all the areas that would be included in the budget meant that I didn’t over spend however under spend. This would therefore allow me to film those contributors who requested payment like Logan Sama and Wiley which would have increased the appeal and style of documentary as it would have allowed me to capture footage of an actual studio thereby reducing the cost of using other people’s material through archive footage. Furthermore, I filmed Nathaniel Shereni later in the night which didn’t affect the quality of the shot as I had a light. But if I didn't have one the footage would have been discoloured. A budget may have allowed me to buy a better camera. How well a production is able to manage their finances will not only be an achievement but will allow them to improve on other areas of the production.

I would have liked to have filmed on more supportive locations like in a studio for example rather than on off road locations. The budget didn’t allow me to do this as it didn't cover those costs. But if I was able to film in a studio it would have improved the style and appeal of my documentary. Professionalism would have been achieved.





PROJECT SPECIFIC ‐ Technology

In terms of technology in a media production, we refer to the availability of technology and the quality of technology in relation to the overall budget. This can have a great impact on a media production as it s success and quality is dependent on technology to a certain extent. ‘Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. Access control is a system which enables an authority to control access to areas and resources in a given physical facility or computer‐ based information system’ ‐ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit al_rights_management

The availability of technology did prove to affect my product negatively which is evident in the overall quality. I used a 3.2 megapixel which affected the times at which I could film as it proved to be of a poorer quality during the night compared to during the day. A high definition camera would have been of great use to me as a lot of contributors were willing to feature in my documentary late at night. This did result in losing a few contributors. Also, the camera did have the ability to pick up the sound of the voices clearly but there were times when the overall quality was muffled by the wind. A microphone was available to me which would have been allowed me to achieve the desired sound, but it was my choice not to use it. Furthermore, the quality of the editing software, Imovie, allowed me to create a fast paced production through the use of intercutting. If this wasn’t available to me, the production, in terms of the editing, wouldn’t have been as successful or effective. I was able to record my voice over clearly with the use of a microphone, but if I didn’t have the technology available to me I wouldn’t have been able to record the voice over which would have meant that I would have had to have a visual presenter which I didn’t want.

The availability and the quality of the technology used in the making of my product was what made my product successful. Firstly, the technology enabled me to plan thoroughly and keep records of the pre production stage like interview question, production logs and schedules, risk assessments, budgets etc. It was because of the availability of the technology which allowed me to organise the stages in making the whole production. Secondly, even though the camera didn't compare to the quality of a HD camera, it enabled me to successfully capture footage and the sound clearly to a certain extent. Also, the quality of the editing equipment and software allowed me to achieve successful and creative editing. The fact that good technology was available to me allowed my production to successful overall.





TV INDUSTRY SPECIFIC – Regulatory and self‐regulatory (OFCOM/ BBC)

‘Non‐government organization which has statutory responsibility to regulate its own members through the adoption and enforcement of rules of conduct for fair, ethical and efficient practices’ ‐ http://www.investorwords.com/446 5/Self_Regulatory_Organization.htm l

Ofcom regulations include: Reconstructions, Payments, dealing with contributors, secret filming, potentially offensive material and criminality.

Office of Communications‛ where they regulate the content of all television and radio programs in the UK. If the programs fail to comply, OFCOM have the power to give fines and remove a programs license to broadcast.

Out of the five regulations, only two apply to my production. They are dealing with contributors and payments.

Possible contributors must not be forced in to participating in activities that they don’t want to do. A lot of my contributors would change their mind on the arranged filming day about being in my production. Due to the Ofcom regulation regarding dealing with contributors, I couldn’t persuade them to change their mind. This negatively affected my production as those that change their mind were my professional contributors who promised professional studio locations. Furthermore, the Ofcom regulation states that no payments must be made to anyone involved in the production. This had a negative impact on my production as contributors like Wiley and Logan Sama couldn’t feature in my production. Which will have an affect on the appeal of my production as my target audience would be more interested to see the thoughts of Wiley compared to Aaron Richards (my contributor).

If I had paid my potential contributors they would have been more willing to feature in my documentary thereby increasing appeal. The fact that I did provide a financial incentive for my possible contributors may have been the reason to why they change their mind. In addition, in relation to dealing with contributors, Wiley would have been very beneficial to my documentary to create a sense of realism and to help the audience gain a better understanding of grime in more depth.

analysis of constraints

Documents