How do you research and plan your media production projects in different media genres?

1 Know your genre

Every media genre has its own conventions, codes, and expectations that shape how the audience perceives and responds to your content. For example, a documentary film has different rules and standards than a horror film, and a news website has different features and functions than a personal blog. To research your genre, you should analyze existing examples of similar media products, identify their common elements and patterns, and compare and contrast them with your own ideas and vision. You should also consider the history, context, and purpose of your genre, and how it relates to your audience and message.

2 Define your audience

Your audience is the group of people who will consume, interact with, and react to your media product. Knowing your audience is crucial for planning your media production, as it will influence your content, style, tone, format, and distribution. To define your audience, you should research their demographics, psychographics, preferences, needs, and behaviors. You should also segment your audience into different groups based on their characteristics and interests, and tailor your media product to each group accordingly. You should also seek feedback from your audience during and after your production process, and use it to improve your product and measure its impact.

3 Set your goals and objectives

Your goals and objectives are the outcomes and results that you want to achieve with your media production. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). To set your goals and objectives, you should identify your main purpose and message, your desired effects and benefits, and your indicators and criteria of success. You should also align your goals and objectives with your genre and audience, and make sure they are realistic and feasible. You should also monitor and evaluate your progress and performance throughout your production process, and adjust your goals and objectives as needed.

4 Choose your platform and format

Your platform and format are the medium and mode that you will use to create and deliver your media product. They should suit your genre, audience, goals, and objectives, as well as your budget, resources, and skills. To choose your platform and format, you should research the advantages and disadvantages of different options, such as online or offline, video or audio, text or image, interactive or linear, etc. You should also consider the technical and ethical aspects of your platform and format, such as the quality, accessibility, usability, security, and legality of your media product.

6 Plan your production process

Your production process is the sequence of steps and tasks that you will follow to create and distribute your media product. It should be organized, efficient, and flexible, to ensure the quality and timeliness of your media product. To plan your production process, you should break down your project into smaller stages and milestones, such as pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. You should also assign roles and responsibilities to yourself and others, such as producer, director, editor, etc., and allocate resources and equipment to each stage. You should also create a timeline and a budget for your project, and anticipate and manage any risks or challenges that may arise.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?