Production processes across media industries have developed to reflect the needs of practitioners. Audience engagement, consumption, reception and the requirement to work under constraints including time, budget and skills, are all central to the media production process. The process identifies discrete stages that provide the framework for a media production applicable to all media forms. The stages of the process should not be seen as static or linear; rather they are iterative and interrelated. Underpinning the media production process is ongoing analysis, reflection and evaluation requiring critical, creative and reflective thinking.
The stages in the media production process are:
Development: the ideas, intention, narrative and audience that are the foundation of the production are explored. In this stage other media products are investigated to analyse media codes and conventions, genre, style and the location, context and time when the production was produced. Equipment, materials and technologies are investigated in a range of media forms in relation to the audience and intention. Experiments using materials, equipment and technologies are conducted to develop understanding of and skill in their use.
Pre-production: the production is planned considering the specified audience, intention, narrative and context. The construction of the narrative of the product is planned, including how it will engage, be consumed and read by the specified audience. Media codes and conventions, genre and style, are considered in the construction of the narrative. Documentation and the planning of the production are carried out in visual and written form using tools such as production notes and storyboards. Equipment, technologies and materials to be used in the production are documented. The way the product will be distributed to the audience and the context in which it will be distributed and consumed is also planned.
Production: the planned production design is captured and recorded. Annotations may be added to the production design plan in relation to media codes and conventions and any changes to the production design. Production may be a collaborative process involving a number of people with specific roles or it may be an individual process. Reflection and evaluation of the production can occur through written documentation, oral feedback and/ or visual feedback.
Post-production: the production is refined and resolved considering the intention, audience and the construction of narrative. Media codes and conventions are used to resolve ideas and to consider the engagement, consumption and reception of the specified audience. Specific equipment and technologies are used in editing. Feedback is sought and the creator and participant will reflect upon the product and its relationship to the specified audience and intent.
Distribution: the product is delivered to the specified audience in a planned context and location. At this point the creator and/or participants will seek feedback for future productions based on audience response and personal reflection.