1) Script
You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional TV scripts). Lay it out like a real script (see right) - it will add a level of professionalism to your production. You can also roughly estimate one minute per page for film and TV scripts so that gives you an idea of how much you need to write (this is only a rough guide depending on how much dialogue or stage direction you are using).
Remember to refer to OFCOM guidelines.
2) Shot list
Write a comprehensive shot list for every single possible shot you plan to film for your crime drama extract. For three minutes of film, that is going to be a LOT of shots - quite possibly more than 200.
Remember, a shot list is a full list of all the shots in your video with information for each of them (shot type, action/movement etc.) Creative shot choices aside, it’s easy to forget that a shot list is a strategic document. Creating a shot list is essentially like creating a shooting game plan for the day.
Remember, a shot list is a full list of all the shots in your video with information for each of them (shot type, action/movement etc.) Creative shot choices aside, it’s easy to forget that a shot list is a strategic document. Creating a shot list is essentially like creating a shooting game plan for the day.
3) Mise-en-scene planning
Plan everything that will appear in front of the camera in your production. Remember CLAMPS: Costume, Lighting, Actors (cast, placement, movement and expression), Make-up, Props, Setting.
Costume
What will your characters wear in each scene? What is the costume supposed to communicate to the audience? How does this link to genre or constructing representations?
In the first scene, both Lucky and Pierce will be wearing suits. This is used to communicate the relevance of the characters by allowing them to wear what may be perceived as upper-middle class attire. As we transition from the first to the second scene, Lucky's attire will change from that of a suit to more so casual wear (yet to be determined) and Captain Robert Lawson will be wearing the traditional Police "Captain" uniform. This is to show the distinct contrast between traditional law-abiding detectives and perceived criminals, hence reinforcing that very stereotype. During the third scene (another flashback), Lucky will be wearing the same casual wear as before as it takes place just before the second scene.
Lighting
How will you light the different scenes in your production? Day or night? Interior or exterior? If outside, can you use streetlights, shadows, reflected sunlight or other creative techniques to achieve the lighting style you want? If inside, experiment with creative lighting techniques using windows, blinds, artificial lights, phone flashes and more. You may also want to sign out our portable ring light if you are shooting an internal scene off-site.
In the first scene, there will be low-key lighting in order to set the mood of an authentic kidnapping scene. In the second scene, there will be high-key lighting as we move away from the kidnapping scene and more into a police interrogation scene. As we will be inside for both scenes, the time of day won't be as necessary however the second scene will mention the time of of day to be midday.
Actors/performers
The first thing you need to plan is your cast - who will be in your production? Try and cast people who are reasonably similar to the character they are playing (both in age and personality). Next, plan their placement and movement in key scenes - how should the audience react to them? How do you plan to position the audience to sympathise with the right characters?
Make-up
Plan any make-up you require - this can be a useful way to show the genre you are working in.
Actors/performers
The first thing you need to plan is your cast - who will be in your production? Try and cast people who are reasonably similar to the character they are playing (both in age and personality). Next, plan their placement and movement in key scenes - how should the audience react to them? How do you plan to position the audience to sympathise with the right characters?
Make-up
Plan any make-up you require - this can be a useful way to show the genre you are working in.
No make up will be required for these scenes however this may change depending on any adaptations made.
Props
What props will you require for your production? Remember, you can't use anything that might resemble a weapon in a public or school location (this is VERY important). Well-planned props can help to communicate genre and narrative quickly - crucial to meet the brief you have been given.
Props
What props will you require for your production? Remember, you can't use anything that might resemble a weapon in a public or school location (this is VERY important). Well-planned props can help to communicate genre and narrative quickly - crucial to meet the brief you have been given.
I intend to use a fake gun within scene 2 and 3 in order to add to concept of the detectives actually being detectives which is seen in the average crime drama. I also plan on having fake handcuffs (comes with a key) and a fake police badge to make the performance look more authentic and easily communicate the genre quickly.
Setting
This should already be largely planned using your script. However, now is the time to specify exact locations. For external locations, try and take pictures of settings or use Google Maps and Google Earth. Spending quality time planning your locations can make a huge difference to the professionalism of your production. AQA also seem to prefer external rather than school-based locations - particularly for a brief like this.
Setting
This should already be largely planned using your script. However, now is the time to specify exact locations. For external locations, try and take pictures of settings or use Google Maps and Google Earth. Spending quality time planning your locations can make a huge difference to the professionalism of your production. AQA also seem to prefer external rather than school-based locations - particularly for a brief like this.
For setting, the drama room was used for the first scene as it has a light dimmer and already looked like a rundown building. As for the second scene, I plan to request permission from the Police Station in Grand Union Village to borrow an interrogation room in order to save time instead of having to create a room that resembles one from scratch. As for the third scene, I plan on using someone's house in order to create that scene.
4) Shooting schedule
The final aspect of your pre-production planning is to come up with a comprehensive shooting schedule. How many scenes do you need to film? How long will it take? Which actors do you need and when? Planning all of this out with specific dates and times is a crucial part of the pre-production process.
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