LO2: Client Briefs

Formal & Informal

• contractual 
• negotiated
• cooperative brief 
• tender 
• competition 
• commission 

Formal brief: written document, uses technical and specific language. Focused in depth with details, budgets, deadlines and requirements. Majority of briefs are in this style. 

Informal brief: It can be as straight forward as a chat over a meal, either no document or very limited document supporting the project. There is no direct contractual agreement and no specific requirements outlined initially. These tend to be undertaken and then fleshed out at a later date. 

Contractual brief (formal): Tasks are accepted under legal obligation (signed document)

The client's desires and deadlines outlined must be met

Both the client and the media producer must abide by the brief

          WHY DO YOU THINK THESE BRIEFS ARE BENEFICIAL/POPULAR WITH BOTH 

          CLIENTS AND MEDIA PRODUCERS? 

These are the best type of brief as they are less time wasting, there are deadlines that have to be met and the client would want it done in time. As well as this there are copyrights, with it legally binding nothing can be stolen from the client. 

Negotiated brief (formal): both the client and the media producer make decisions, if there is something that either party isn't sure about then it can be discussed and altered. 

Co-operative brief (formal): two or more producers/production companies working together to meet the brief.

e.g. film producers and different post production house 

Competition brief (formal): The brief is advertised or given to multiple producers. 

The producers don't have to pitch they just create a pitch and hope that the client like theirs best. 

The reward is often just the prospect of getting your project published. 

Commissioning brief (formal): A media company employs an independent company to produce for them on their behalf. 

The brief is not negotiated between the media producer and their employer/commissioner. 

However the commissioner might negotiate the brief with the client. 

The independent is paid and may receive royalties. 

Factors that could impact the potential project management of a brief: 

• explicit (strict) requirements 
• implicit (you don't have to meet them but would help if you did) requirements 
• requirements that are open to interpretations (linked to North London music magazine)
• constraints (financial, time, personal) 

one way of approaching the initial project details would be to create a mood board exploring the ideas.