Overview: Working in small groups, you and your partners will produce a professional-looking demonstration video. This exercise will test your writing, set design, lighting and production skills, and provide the experience of producing a team project.

This exercise has both individual and group components. Everyone (individually) needs to submit a pitch, program proposal, a treatment or partial script, storyboard, floor plan & lighting plot. The group will be graded on the overall production. Everyone will write a one-page follow up critique describing their experience.

The grading breakdown is as follows:

• Pre-production material (individually graded - 15 points) which includes
  • Pitch
  • Program Proposal (includes title, objective, target audience, show description, production overview & treatment)
  • Treatment or Script (partial script format can be used which includes intro, talk points, segues and close)
  • Storyboard (just storyboard the key shots from each camera)
  • Floor plan
  • Lighting plot
• Production (group grade - 20 points)
• Critique (individually graded - 5 points)

The initial program proposal should include a title, objective, target audience, show description, production overview, treatment, and at least a partial script. (For more info, check out Jim's Program Proposal info.) We will pitch these ideas in lab with students voting on which to produce. We will produce 4 of these during each lab over a two-week period. If your proposal is selected, you will become the producer, and assign/delegate other tasks as needed.

Examples: While this may seem obvious, be sure to bring in an idea that is visual and easily demonstrated in 5-10 minutes, and be sure to have the appropriate talent lined up if needed. Successful projects in the past have included:

• Martial arts / self-defense
• Pumpkin carving
• Origami
• Making yummy treats
• First aid / CPR
• Dancing / dance moves

Production Requirements:

• Time: At least 5 minutes and no more than 10.
• Music: At least two cuts of music used (For example music at the beginning and end.)
• Graphics: At least two graphics, including (but not limited to) an opening title and closing credits.

Suggested Activity Schedule

• Pre-production material due - pitch and select in lab
• Producers should arrange a meeting and begin delegating tasks (talent, music, graphics, teleprompter script, props, etc.)

Week 2

• Meet with your group (document)
• Create graphics. Gather music and SFX.
• Storyboard & test key shots (Do they work with your floor plan?)
• Block your production shot-by-shot (Does the talent need teleprompters?)

Week 3

• Have a blocking rehearsal
• Test graphics and music. Burn audio CDs. Load graphics into the Chyron in advance.
• Create camera shot sheets
• Produce your project

On the day of your production, it is vital that your group and talent is fully prepared.

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