The Production Plan
Mapping out a production plan is a creative process. This is where the producer has to commit his or her vision to paper. If this vision is not working, as in any creative process, the producer must be flexible and open to questioning and changing his or her parameters in order to come up with alternative scenarios. Devising the plan entails making assumptions at each step of the way. Because every phase is dependent on the successful completion of the previous, the producer must anticipate and plan for all possibilities. Working with input from the buyer, the director, and other key parties such as the creator, the producer's main task is to ask questions and gather as much information as possible. Once this information is assembled, the producer must figure out the best way of allocating money throughout the budget. These allocations are based on the show's specific requirements. If, for example, a project is strictly story driven with simple character designs that warrant limited animation, it would be necessary to put significant funds into the areas of writing and cast/recording rather than animation. Whatever the balance that suits the project best, the producer needs to ensure that all areas are addressed and accounted for in the budget, so that there are minimal surprises mid-production.
List of Assumptions
The best place to begin setting up a production plan is with the last step usually undertaken by the producer. Once the budget, schedule, and crew plan are assembled, the producer must put in writing all of the areas or the parameters upon which the plan is based. This is the producer's list of assumptions. It enables everyone to have a mutual understanding of the project and its requirements. When changes are made to the plan, this agreed-upon template makes it easier for both the producer and the buyer to identify and evaluate the costs and schedule revisions. Since this list outlines all areas to be planned for, we will use it...
