T356 Demonstration Video Exercise

Overview: Working in small groups, you and your production team 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 pitch their project and turn in a program proposal, treatment, script (can use partial script format), 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:
  • Program Proposal (includes title, objective, target audience, show description, production overview)
  • Treatment or Script (partial script format can be used which includes intro, talk points, segues and close)
  • Storyboarded key shots (Just include a few of the key shots.)
  • Floor plan
  • Lighting plot
• Production (group grade - 20 points)
• Critique (individually graded - 5 points)

The 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.) You will pitch your idea 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 4-6 minutes, and be sure to only pitch a show that you can easily arrange for the appropriate talent. Examples of past projects include:

• How to mix (DJ tutorial)
• Martial arts / self-defense
• Pumpkin carving
• How to perform card tricks
• How to play guitar
• Origami
• How to play Rock Band
• Hw to make tasty treats
• How to perform First Aid / CPR
• How to dance

Production Requirements:

• Time: At least 4 minutes and no more than 6.
• Music: At least two cuts of music or sound effects (For example theme music at the beginning and end and demonstration music during show.)
• Graphics: At least three original graphics (the slate does not count :-)

Suggested Activity Schedule

Week 1

• Pre-production material due. Pitch and select shows. Make production teams.
• Producers need to schedule a meeting and delegate tasks (talent, music, graphics, teleprompter script, props, etc.)

Week 2

• Meet with your group (document)
• Create plan for graphics. These can really enhance your production.
• Delegate someone to carry out sound design (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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