Choosing and Planning a Multimedia Project

The Idea:

I was a fairly difficult process deciding the topic of my multimedia project (MMP). I knew from the start that I wanted to produce something about Women’s rugby but narrowing down that subject was difficult. I knew I wanted to produce something about the growth of women’s rugby but wasn’t sure whether to investigate this on a grassroots level or in terms of audience or in terms of professionalisation.

Although the idea was slightly daunting, I decided to focus my project on the professionalisation of Women’s rugby (particularly in the Red Roses). I knew this idea could be executed well and would show ambition but the idea of not getting key interviews with high profile players made me almost write-off the idea. But I decided to persevere and aim high as this is my final university project.

The final idea ended with “20 years of the red roses: From Passion to Profession” as my full title. I would look at how the experience of the Red Roses has changed from 20 years ago to now and how professionalisation has affected this experience.

Stadium rugby pitch with Rugby posts (WIX images)

The Pitch:

As part of the project I had to produce a 2-minute pitch on what my project was about, its target audience and target publication. So I knew I needed a specific topic that hadn’t been looked at in detail before.

Once I had decided on my topic, I decided on some key interviewees I would reach out to these consisted of current players: Hannah Botterman, Ellie Kildunne, Helena Rowland and Zoe Harrison. I also knew I wanted to approach Rocky Clarke and Catherine Spencer who both played around 20 years ago so I could compare experiences then to now. I also wanted some interviewees from in the industry (England coaches, team doctors, rugby historians etc) to give more specialised information on how the game has changed both on and off the pitch.

My target publication is the Telegraph Women’s Sports section and my target audience being female rugby players but also just people interested in women’s sports / the Red Roses.

For my pitch I created both a PowerPoint and a handout sheet for the examiner that went into a bit more detail about the project such as any laws or codes I needed to consider when producing my project. I think the pitch went well and I am so excited to see where this project goes.