Outline of Multimedia Project Proposal*
Client: Mr David Ross
Date: 12 August, 2002
General
Introduction and Executive Summary
This
project is an interactive multimedia product aimed at a young adolescent (11-15)
market. It involves a series of travel stories in which the young user is the
central character. The client is an experienced children’s author, but has no
experience in multimedia writing. It will contain narrative elements of danger,
uncertainty, excitement and the pleasures of travel to different lands, meeting
people from different cultures. It is a mixture of entertainment and education
for both this age group and possibly their parents. The time frame is important
as we need to get the product to the market by Christmas (four months time). It
is expected that the product will generate income for the client.
Statement
of What the Client Wants
The
client wants an interactive product that will be attractive to the 11 to 15 year
age group and their parents. He
wants it completed within four months, and he wants to use his story-telling
experience to produce this product. The client prefers a web-based product, but
it could also be a CD (both Mac and PC), aimed initially at a national
Australian market.
Statement
of What the User Needs from the Product
The
user will need to be able to have ready access to the product at an inexpensive
price. Web access preferred. User will need to be able to navigate easily around
the stories and to input their own choices at the appropriate times. User will
need to feel a sense of having solved problems, and experienced other countries
and cultures.
General
Treatment and Reasons for Choice
A
“Choose your own Adventure” type multimedia product, with simple, but
interesting story-lines and a rich variety of illustrations and photographic
material. Video interviews with children from the countries “visited”,
accompanied by visual material (still photographs, video) from those countries.
The more “real” the stories seem, the more they will appeal to their
audience. Begin with one countries visited, led by a “tour guide” from that
country, and develop a structure for the story and its “choice points”. Make
use of maps and other diagrams to show the user’s progress through the
journey. Some animation could be incorporated into the maps and diagrams to
maintain interest. Suggest begin with Indonesia, as it is close to Australia if
we need to obtain video material (cheaper travel costs, could market to schools
that teach Indnonesian, etc). Incorporate feedback and help components for
users.
Possible
Variations on This Treatment
If
video material is unwieldy in terms of file sizes, then audio material, together
with still photographs could be used. Alternatively, a cartoon character could
be created for each country who would act as the tour guide. These could be
animated or not, depending upon the equipment at the user end.
Outline
Diagram of Proposed Structure
This
will be completed after further consultation with client.
Human
Resources Needed
The
client will develop the story-lines. MAI will need to develop sample scenarios
from a story as part of this proposal, containing interactive elements and
visual material. For the full project, MAI will need the services of the project
manager, two illustrators (to meet the deadline), (or one illustrator and a
video producer) a writer to convert the author’s material into the interactive
format, an editor and a programmer/tester.
Work
Breakdown and Schedule
August
20 – 31
Writer to work with Client in developing first storyline
August
31- Sept 30 Illustrators
to work with writer to design characters, maps, diagrammatic material
August
31-Sept 30
Video technician to produce video material of
“guides” and other country material
Oct
1-15
Programmer
to develop prototype
Oct
16 – 21
Show
prototype to client for comments, corrections.
Oct
21 – 28
Make
corrections, finalise content.
Nov
1-14
Test
and refine final product. Commence marketing in schools, libraries and retail outlets.
Nov
15-22
Product
launch. Continue marketing. Obtain feedback from early users.
Cost/payment
Structure
The
client has indicated he can go up to a budget of $800,000.00. This is for a
number of stories. Our initial calculations reveal it will cost between $100,000
and $200,000 per title, depending upon need for travel to obtain video footage.
For $800,000 six stories can be produced. For this first “sample” product,
$100,000 will be charged. Client will pay $50,000.00 on acceptance of this
proposal, a further $30,000 on completion of prototype, and the remainder upon
Product Launch.
MAI
Statement on the Limitations of the Proposal
This
proposal is valid in all its parts for two weeks from the date of writing (12
August, 2002). Any delays on the part of the client in accepting the proposal,
or any changes the client wishes to make to this proposal may cause amendments
to be made to both timelines and budget.
Julianne Stewart
Project Manager
Multimedia Advocates Incorporated