PRODUCTION PROCESS
INTRODUCTION
The Context of Multimedia
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An increase in the number of people working within the
Multimedia field over the past 5 years.
Online Projects (interacting with other systems) such as
those for the World Wide Web or Interactive Television
(iTV).
Offline projects (self contained system - not interacting
with anything outside its immediate environment) such
as CD ROMs, Interactive Systems, Multimedia Kiosks..
Multimedia has been integrated into main stream
business practice.
e-Learning & e-Commerce & Interactive Services
Multimedia – A Definition
“Multimedia is the Seamless integration of text,
sound, images of all kinds and control
software within a single digital information
environment.”
Tony Feldman, Multimedia Consultant
Multimedia project – A Definition
“A multimedia project comprises of a series
of tasks that deliver a combination of media
and have a computer component to integrate
them.”
Elaine England, Managing Multimedia
Development of a Multimedia Project
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The skills needed to produce multimedia are
diverse. Working practices are still emerging
and at present are often linked to traditional
practices with limited success.
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A company’s culture can influence the way in
which they approach a project.
Emerging Development Models
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As Multimedia is in its infancy development models are
somewhat embryonic in their lifecycle.
They draw heavily on a range of other established
project models from other disciplines.
New media companies tend to have their roots
established in one of the following disciplines.
Functional
Creative
Software House
Advertising
Television Production
Marketing
Creative Working Practises
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This approach encourages constant change
Clients expectations of change are raised
Reworking takes place throughout the
development process
Applications may look good but function less
well
Functional Working Practices
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This approach encourages a detailed
definition stage before project is undertaken
They are strongly documented
Changes are discouraged or controlled
Tend to focus on functionality and less on
visual aesthetics
Have a high admin cost
Client Cantered Project Lifecycle
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Gain an understanding of clients wants
More experienced companies will make
assumptions drawn on experience for small
projects
Larger projects require involvement of
managers, staff, developers, etc
Process known as “scoping the project”
Determine timescales and budget
Produce “requirements agreement”
Client Centred Project Cycle
Points to remember
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The person responsible for winning the project needs to be
guided strongly by company polices in what agreements to
reach to avoid problems later for the rest of the team and
company.
Apart from competence in software and media design and
production, cost control and staff management skills are
needed.
A client is anyone that has the authority to control the time
and budget, or to sanction the design.
A client centered project follows stages of initiation, scoping
and proposal definition, followed by production. The
production phase has several levels, which are interrelated. It
is not a linear process.