FINAL PROJECT GUIDELINES
THE SCRIPT
The Final Project script is required to contain
exactly the following elements in the following format. Everything must be word
processed. Floor plan drawings are the
exception. They can be neatly hand drawn on a plain white sheet of printer paper or composed using a computer
drawing program. The semester, course #,
section #, group #, and page # must be typed on the top of every page of
your script (except floor plan, where it can be hand-written), as follows:
(semester & year) 3210-00x Group x page x
Example: SP04-3210-001 Group 1 page 1
1. Students’ names in the group
2. Program Title
3. Draft version and date of submission
4. Program Purpose
5. Target Audience: age range and gender
6. Program Elements
a. A COMPLETE summary of what’s going to happen in the show, such as topics to be discussed, what’s going to be demonstrated, or a description of the sketch to be performed. Describe what’s going to be performed during the in-studio and the insert clips. I won’t be able to understand what your show will be about without a proper level of detail.
b. Talent list. Who is going to appear as talent on camera during the in-studio and insert clips and what are their roles?
c. Set requirements for in-studio segments. There is no need to list cameras, that is a given. Microphone needs, please list. Also, list any chairs and/or tables that are needed.
d.
Any props being used during the in-studio segments.
(Page 2)
Drawing of a floor plan to contain lighting and set
elements. Refer to the example on the instructors homepage as a guide as to how
to draw this type of floor plan. I must see what you may have planned as a set
for your program … chairs, tables, talent placement,
etc. Everything must be drawn in relative scale. Floor plan can be hand drawn
or completed by using a software drawing program. Make the drawing large enough
and try to fill up as much of the page as possible. Use a blank sheet of white printer paper. Lined notebook paper or any other type of
paper will not be acceptable. The instructor recommends that you xerox at least 5 copies of your original floor plan,
especially if it’s hand-drawn, so you do not have to re-draw the entire picture
in the event of a minor revision or addition later in the semester.
The script composed in the exact same two-column format learned in class. MS Word or Excel must be used to compose your script pages. Submission delays caused by malfunctioning printers, computers, software programs, or internal group issues, will not be excused. Only 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial font will be accepted. All submitted pages must be stapled together. Scripts that aren’t stapled will be returned. Paper clipped sheets can easily fall apart, especially when they are in a pile of other scripts.
The script will include all video and audio content featured during the in-studio segments and the insert clips. Each clip must be numbered and inserted in a logical sequence between the in-studio segments. This will help the instructor to be able to better understand the show concept and direct the in-studio segments. It will also serve as a guide for the students in the group to edit their entire program.
When
the first draft is due, the script will be marked FIRST DRAFT plus the date of
submission. I cannot keep track of your script versions if you do not number
and date them correctly. If the
instructor requests it, each subsequent draft submitted must be labeled
appropriately and have the new submission date. Hence, a second and third draft
would be logically marked as SECOND DRAFT month/date/year and THIRD DRAFT
month/date/year
respectively. Each newly submitted
draft will include all pages, no matter if some pages were not revised. I
cannot be expected to cut and paste different versions together.
You will have one opportunity to revise your final scripts after taping your in-studio segments and during post-production. The very last version that will be submitted with your Final project tape will be marked FINAL DRAFT month/date/year. This is the version that will be graded.
THE PROGRAM
Your completed Final Project will be 10 minutes in length. A 15 second +/- grace will be permitted without point deduction. It is broken down as follows:
1. In-studio segments: 6 minutes of your program are to be taped live in-studio using three cameras.
2. Insert clips: 4 minutes of your program are to be taped outside of class, single camera film style. The clips will be edited in a manner where the viewer will see a new shot from a different camera angle every 10-15 seconds. Performers appearing in the insert clips must be identified with Titles generated in IMovie where appropriate.
3. The entire program will be edited on TV lab computers and recorded onto a miniDV tape for submission.
Important note:
Program content that is objectionable (explicit sexual content, profane
language, or depictions that promote alcohol or illegal drug use) is
prohibited. All dialogue and characters in the Final Project script will be
original creations of the students in the group. The instructor reserves the
right to reject at any time any content he deems unacceptable.
Evaluation criteria for the
Final Project script (total 50 pts.)
1. The overall quality, organization, and comprehensiveness of the script.
2. How well each group adheres to the format and the script guidelines.
3. Proper staging and camera directions.
4. Complete talent dialogue.
5. How well the group meets its submission deadlines.
Evaluation criteria for the
Final Project program (total 50 pts.)
1. How closely the program adheres to the script and meets the required length.
2. Technical aspects including proper camera work, shot composition, lighting quality, audio quality, and editing style. Your project should strive to achieve the look and feel of a professionally produced and quality TV show.
3. On-camera performances will be considered. Hence, select people you can trust to show up on time, perform as scripted, and follow directions in and out of the studio. All talent must know their script dialogue. Any recurrent forgetfulness or “blanking out” by the talent will result in point deductions. No reading from scripts will be permitted. Cue cards are acceptable for reference purposes only. 4 x 6 note cards are acceptable for reference purposes only. Do not read verbatim from any cue cards or note cards, as that is like reading from a script. The Instructor reserves the right to determine if issues that could result in point loss were the fault of the talent, the technical crew, or the director. Students will NOT be responsible for technical gaffes by the studio tech crew (fellow classmates) or director during the studio segments and hence, will not suffer point deductions as a result. PLEASE NOTE: if your talent does not show up or is late for a scheduled taping, you will be responsible for their absence or tardiness. So take special care as to whom you select. Missed studio tapings can only be made up under very special and rare circumstances. With the number of people we have in this class we must be able to move along at a steady pace in order to accomplish all the course objectives.
Any failure to include the preceding elements as specified
will result a loss of points on the project. If anything isn’t clear, please
see me, especially if you have any questions regarding content.