Formal/Informal Briefs

Formal Brief

• Written documents
• Technical and specific language
• Focused / in depth
• Detail, Budget, Deadlines, Requirements etc
• Majority of briefs are in this style

Informal Brief

• Can be straightforward as a chat over a drink
• Non / limited documentation supporting
• No direct contractual agreement
• No specific requirements outlined initially

These tend to be undertaken and then fleshed out 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

Negotiated Brief (Formal)

• Both the client and the media producer make decisions
• Through negotiations the brief may be altered

Co-operative Brief (Formal)

• Two or more media producers / production companies working together to meet the brief
• e.g. Film producers and a different post - production house

Competition Brief (Formal)

• The brief is advertised / given to multiple media producers
• The producers don't have to pitch
• All the different producers create their product
• Th client then picks which one is the best
• The reward is often just the prospect of getting your project published / distributed

Commissioning Brief (Formal)

• A media company employs an independent company to produce a product 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 company is paid and may receive royalties

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

• Explicit requirements
• Implicit requirements
• Requirements that are open to interpretation
• Constraints