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Unit 4, 5 and 62 Assignment 1

Task 2 – Working to a brief

A brief is an agreement between the client and the company that lets both parties know of the

correct aims and objectives of the project, either clearly defined in the initial stages or as an evolving

process as the communication between the client and the company progresses. All projects start out

by some form of a brief.

Contractual briefs

A contract brief is a binding contract between the client and the employee (the producer). The

contractual brief explains how the company schemes its work and the duties required. The

contractual brief states how much the employee will receive once the production is done. The

contractual brief includes many other areas within it such as what the employee is agreeing to, it

also includes the general liability insurance. Producers in the media industry most often use

contractual briefs. In brief, it is a legal contract between the client and the employee which

describes the task required to be done, the price and also the payment terms. The advantages of

these types of contracts are that it is easy for the client to complete the production with extra

information; it also allows them to have more control over the process. The disadvantages are for

the producer making the contract as there may be disagreements between what the client and the

producer would like to be on the contractual brief.

Negotiated briefs

Negotiated briefs are the type of brief that is flexible and may change during the process due to

requirements from either the employee or the company. Negotiated briefs are one of the types of

briefs that are much more relaxed than others. Negotiated briefs can have input from both sides of

the creation, the company and the clients, which means this kind of brief is open to interpretation.

Negotiated briefs include what needs to be done as well as other information such as the target

group, size, cost, medium required, scope of work, quantity, siting and time frame. The usual client

that most often uses this type of brief is mostly a small company that is open to negotiation in order

to suit both the employee and their own company. The communication between the company and

the employee is vital whilst doing this type of a brief as the brief is created by both parties and all

decisions are made together.

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Formal briefs

Formal briefs are briefs that may change overtime by the client as the production develops due to

additional requirements needed that may be put in by the client. This brief is also relaxed like

negotiated briefs and the layout is very calm and is easy to read. Due to this structure of formal

briefs it is much easier for the client to understand and create the product.

Informal briefs

Informal briefs are usually done a lot simpler and are generally less specific to the person, informal

wouldn’t be made or given to a person directly usually, they would get it off the internet or from a

company; the aspects of the brief must usually appeal to all members from the client list. One of the

advantages of doing an informal brief is that it is very laidback, which creates a relaxed environment

for the client and the employee and therefore the product can be created much more quickly. One

disadvantage of an informal brief is that it is most usually seen as unprofessional and unclear and

could create confusion between the client and the employee.

An example of an Informal Brief:

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Description about the project and how the stop-motion will be produced.

Research sources for the project.

Timescale of the project.

Stating how the project will be re-evaluated and reviewed for later change for both the company and the employee to have an input.

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Another example of an informal brief done directly to a person that notifies the company that they

are resigning:

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Brief introduction of the company.

Talks about what they need the client to help them out with.

Sets a deadline for the project and talks about the project fee.

Details on how to apply.

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Tender briefs

Tender briefs are the type of brief that producers receive if they are new to the company. Whilst on

a tender brief, you develop your ideas amongst others and then based on the quality of your work,

the company decides whether you are suitable to be the client or not. The advantage of a tender

brief is that it is relaxed and easy to do. A disadvantage of a tender brief is that at the end you may

not be chosen by the company as the final client.

Commission briefs

Commission briefs are much like other briefs however the main difference is that they allow

compensation to the clients, the service that they give is called commission or brokerage.

Commission briefs are unique as they are the only type of brief that allows the customer to apply to

get the money back.

Co-operative briefs

Co-operative briefs are the type of brief that allows there to be two or more parties involved in the

brief; it allows a number of clients to work together. This is quite different to other briefs as it allows

more than one person to be involved with the brief.

Competition briefs

Competition briefs are used in competitions and are given to the participants within that

competition; it explains to the clients what they must do to enter the competition and lets them

understand how to complete the competition, this type of brief involves and is centred on the

audience. Company’s usually use this type of briefs to promote competition by giving out the brief to

clients so they are clear on what they need to do to enter and compete in the competition. There are

many attributing factors that come in to play when creating a competition brief such as the scope of

work, size of purchase (competition details), target audience and how to attract the audience,

quantities and siting.

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An example of a competition brief:

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Details about the competition.

Deadline of the competition, eligibility and how the winner will be chosen.

The prize of the competition.

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Another example of a competition brief:

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Details and info about the competition and submission:

List of items needed to be submitted.

Prizes for the winner and runner up and how the winner(s) will be chosen.

Schedule and deadlines of different events in the competition.

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http://sophiehunit5workingwithabrief.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/guide-to-working-in-creative-

media.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/the-science-and-history-of-treating-

depression.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

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