The idea development phase is the generative stage of the media production process. It precedes formal pre-production planning and encompasses the research, brainstorming, and conceptual exploration that leads to a viable production concept.
A visual brainstorming technique in which a central concept is placed in the middle of a page and associations radiate outward. Useful for:
- Exploring narrative possibilities from a theme or issue
- Mapping connections between characters, settings, and events
- Identifying potential visual and audio codes appropriate to the concept
A collage of images, colour swatches, typography, and textures assembled to capture the visual tone and aesthetic feel of a proposed production. A mood board:
- Communicates intended visual style before production begins
- Helps identify the codes and conventions appropriate to the genre and target audience
- Is a standard industry document used in film, photography, and advertising pre-production
Early-stage rough sketches of potential visual sequences. Not the polished storyboard of pre-production planning — more a visual ‘thinking tool’ to test whether a narrative concept works spatially and temporally.
Researching existing media products in the intended form and genre:
- Identifying what codes and conventions are standard in the form
- Finding gaps or opportunities for subversion or innovation
- Understanding what has already been done and how to differentiate
Drawing on lived experience, cultural identity, and personal response to issues in the world. Many significant media works originate in personal or community experience — this connection gives production authentic material and genuine intent.
Drafting a brief written statement (1–2 paragraphs) that articulates:
- The central idea or theme
- The intended narrative approach
- The target audience and how the production will engage them
- The media form and genre
- The intended emotional effect or response
Not all ideas are equally viable. Producers evaluate potential ideas against:
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Feasibility | Can this be produced with available equipment, time, and resources? |
| Originality | Does this bring something new to the chosen form/genre? |
| Audience relevance | Will the intended audience connect with this narrative? |
| Technical ambition | Does this allow for meaningful engagement with codes and conventions? |
| Personal investment | Is this an idea the producer genuinely cares about? |
In VCE Media, the ideation process must be documented. This includes recording:
- Initial brainstorms and mind maps
- Mood boards and reference images
- Rejected ideas and reasons for rejection
- The evolution of the concept toward the final chosen idea
This documentation demonstrates creative thinking, decision-making, and the relationship between research and concept development.
EXAM TIP: In production documentation responses, do not simply describe the final idea — describe the process by which you arrived at it. Show the evolution of your thinking and the role that research and experimentation played.
REMEMBER: The VCAA expects evidence of a genuine iterative process. A single ‘I had this idea and went with it’ answer does not demonstrate the depth of ideation expected at Units 3 and 4 level.
