PROJECT SCOPE:
- Group Video Project (3-4 students)
- Approximately 10-12 Periods: pre-production/development (2-3 days), filming (4-5 days), editing & post-production (4-5 days)
- Software & Equipment Used:
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, Media Encoder, After Effects (optional), Soundbooth or Audtion
- Video cameras (Canon or similar), tripods, lighting rig, chroma-key backdrop
- Costumes/props as required
PROJECT EXPECTATIONS:
- STUDENTS WILL:
- Work in a collaborative group environment to produce a short 4-5 minute mock newscast
- Develop an understanding of the production process
- Learn professional filming/camera handling techniques
- Develop understanding of editing and post-production techniques with non-linear editing software
- Demonstrate & develop effective time management/project management skills
- Film all necessary material as a group, then split into subgroups to edit stories, etc. as required (based on group sizes, structure - teacher will provide additional details in class)
PRE-PRODUCTION DETAILS:
- Groups will produce the following prior to starting filming their projects:
- Detailed project treatment (description/overview of newscast)
- Anchor/reporter script
- Storyboards (illustrate shots for news anchor and remote reporters)
- Production plan (outline of project schedule, to-do list, task list/who is doing what)
NEWSCAST DETAILS:
BASIC PROJECT CRITERIA (LEVEL 3 - 4):
- Good planning material (treatment, script, storyboard & production planning)
- Video will be approx. 4-5 minutes total length
- Opening newscast/broadcast screen w. copyright free title music (visit www.jamendo.com for some great material - ALL free for use in projects)
- High quality, well-filmed footage (proper shot composition, use of tripod)
- Carefully edited footage
- Anchor person for introduction to each news story (film at desk, use green screen background for chromakey)
- Min. 2 fun (and fake) Bluevale-related news stories (see ideas below) - filmed "on location" with a remote reporter
- Use of chroma-key AND picture in picture
- Title screen and overlay titles (for names, etc. at bottom of screen)
- End credit screens (with closing music)
- Sound effects as required for news stories
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PROJECT ENHANCEMENTS (LEVEL 4 - 4+):
- Animated picture-in-picture (professional transitions)
- News "ticker" at bottom of screen
- Additional use of graphics (Premiere or After Effects) for final project (ex. sports scores, overlay images, etc.)
- Animated still images (use of motion effects in Premiere)
- Well-planned and executed conversation between anchor and reporter (using picture-in-picture)
- Originally composed music for production (MUST be copyright free)
SUGGESTED FAKE NEWS STORIES:
- Bluevale under attack by zombies/sasquatch/aliens
- Natural disaster hits Bluevale
- Pretend championship sports story
- Inter-school espionage story involving SJAM or WCI
- Famous person visits Bluevale
- Bluevale student or staff member wins lottery/game show/competition
- Crazy renovation rumours
- FEEL FREE TO COME UP WITH YOUR OWN GROUP IDEAS!
WHAT YOU'LL HAND IN:
- ALL pre-production material (due before filming starts)
- Premiere working file (checked during process)
- Final rendered project (AVI and FLV formats)
- Project review - group assessment and reflection
HOW YOU'LL BE MARKED
- Your instructor will provide a detailed rubric used for evaluation of the final project.
- Your unit mark will be comprised of the following:
- Pre-production work
- Final video
- Process (use of class time, professionalism, demonstrated skills development)
- Group/self assessment & performance evaluation