EA case study - Information architecture
We have defined some of the Business Activities for production of film, video and TV, but it’s only one side of the coin. You also need to describe the information input and output from that activity. This is what in IAF is called information objects,
Development (narrative)
The first simple example is the Business Activity Screenwriting.
The output from Screenwriting is a Manuscript with life-cyle status Final Draft.
A manuscript for a film or a TV-series have a very specific format and you are not allowed to deviate from this. The manuscript contains of a number of scenes. In each scene you have to state which actor is in each scene and what he/she says and what happens in that scene.
The input to the activity is a Synopsis that describes the story on a high level. But as how you write the story is a cost driver in production, we added Script constraints as input the the screenwriting activity.
Yes, we limit creativity in some ways, but is often better to have a manuscript that will be financed than not.
Pre-production (narrative)
Another example is the business activity Script breakdown, and this may be done by the production manager.
The main input to activity is the manuscript and the output is a breakdown summary that describes what is needed in front of the camera in the production.
For each scene you have to describe whats included in the manuscript more than actors.
We here talk about a list of items for set design, props, wardrobe etc, e.g. some of the business objects. We also get knowledge of the locations needed to shoot the film. See How is Jimmy dressed for more information of how you do.
Production
The third example is from Preparations when you send out a call sheet to individuals who are crew, cast and extras in the production.
This document contains information about who should be where and when. Each call sheet lists the scenes for the day, when you have breaks and when to call a day. Nothing more or less than a calendar appointment with details.
A call sheet could also include information about things to bring to this location as set design, props or wardrobe. It can also contain a floor plan or shot design that describes camera placement, how actors move and placement of set design.
If you don’t have the right things in place will you film take longer time to film. This is why daily planning is important for features.
But wait, now we are talking about individual persons, which locations they are at specific times. This is personal information according to GDPR and we also have an Architecture Principle that states Privacy by Design.
How can we manage this?