Digital News Production: Planning

Already getting ahead, our planning and decision making is extensive. Thanks to the research we've conducted, contacts we've made and our working together to develop our idea, we're moving along very quickly.

Story (Angle)

As previously mentioned, our angle is...

"Are games being released unfinished?"

So, both our package and OB will focus on the topic of video games (mainly focusing on Assassin's Creed Unity) being released with too many bugs, flaws and imperfections and how it's affecting fans and customers. Getting different perspectives by taking a look at comments from the production company Ubisoft, the knowledge of an animations lecturer and the opinions of fans, we'll be discussing how on edge and pessimistic some of us are becoming about Ubisoft's upcoming release: Assassin's Creed Syndicate.


Package Features

Below is our plan and thought process of the key features of the package, and the chronological order in which they will be presented.

- Presenter intro/coming up in front of green screen
- OOV consisting of Unity bug game footage, Syndicate trailer footage, and sequences of generic game play (such a C/U of hands playing with a games controller) as the presenter discusses the topic
- While cutting back and forth between the presenter in the studio, screenshots of both fan and Ubisoft tweets/comments about Unity and Syndicate will be shown with a presenter V/O
- Back in the studio, the presenter will say a line most likely to be along the lines of "Today I visited [lecturer name] to discuss [topic]..."
- Cuts to presenter holding an interview with the animations lecturer on location (most likely their workplace)
- Interview segment most likely including a sequence
- Back to studio for presenter to sign off

This is a very professional and typical construction of a gaming channel's package. I think it's going both look fantastically realistic, but also draw in the audience and hold their attention with how varied it is.


OB Features

Below is the plan of the key features of the OB.

- Reporter appears to be live on location at Game, Bluewater
- Reporter introduces self, discusses where they are and what the event is
- Reporter approaches queue of people waiting to buy the game and discusses topic with them
  - Back up (if people in queue are unwilling): Talk to a shop assistant after the launch about the topic and the launch itself
- Reporter signs off 'back to the studio

This is going to be the 'big event' of our channel, not only will it relate to the topic perfectly, but would (in the real world) be likely to get viewers tuning in with excitement.


Summary of Who is on Camera

Presenter (package): One young male
Reporter (OB): One young female

As the gaming world is varied, and both genders are equally as excited about and interested in games, we will be using both a male and female for our presenting of the channel. They will both be young due to our target audience.

Package interviewee: Animations lecturer, Dave

Apparently a very bubbly and knowledgeable character, he will be a fantastic interviewee for our topic.

OB interviewees: 3 Syndicate purchasers/queuers

As we need something to take place in our OB as well as needing direct opinions from fans themselves, the Assassin's Creed launch is the perfect time to get their perspective. 2-3 interviewees will fit our allowed time.

OB back-up plan: Shop assistant/s of Game

If we find that no or too little queuers are willing to talk or be on camera, we will wait until after the event of the launch, and discuss the news topic and their perspective on the launch.

Lastly, we will use an anonymous person for generic gaming sequences (no face shown).


Target Audience

We will be targeting an audience of a young age, approximately aged 15-30 and of both genders. The obvious main target audience is game enthusiasts, due to the nature of the channel.


Equipment

With the plan of shooting on the 19th, 20th and 23rd of October already in place. We have booked out most of our equipment in advance...

- Sony camera
- Tripod
- Fig rig for OB, allowing smooth manoeuvring
- Clip mic for presenter, reporter and interviewees
- Lighting kit for package
- GoPro for package footage of OB launch (personal GoPro)

We will also be booking the green screen after our workshop.


I think for just one week of work, we're already make amazing progress, and are in full swing of pre-production.