Project #8: Lost and Found (60 to 120 seconds)

Objective: Students will brainstorm their own story idea, write a treatment, draw storyboards, and shoot and edit a finished video about an item that is lost and then found. The project will feature a minimum of 20 shots and run between one and two minutes.  No shot in this video will last more than 3 seconds. 

Watch this student example.

POINTS:

Treatment: 20 Points Possible(all members of the group receive the same score)

Storyboards: 20 Points Possible (individual grade based on he quality of the drawings, includes one Shot Map)

Video: 80 Points (individual score based on production contribution and editing quality)

 

In this assignment you will work with your row group to brainstorm ideas, write a treatment, draw storyboard, and shoot a video with three characters.  The premise is that an item is lost by one of the characters. This item is later found after the item have been used or moved to various places.  The item should be something interesting, that someone would not want to lose. 

 

Rotate the director’s responsibility to the member who hasn’t had this role this term. 

The two other members of the row group will serve as actors.  If you need a third person for a small role, the director can appear in the film.

 

This project has the following elements:

1. Brainstorm

2. Write treatment 

3. Draw storyboards as a group

4. Videotape production

5. Edit (finished length: 60 to 120 seconds)

 

 

PROCEDURE:

Brainstorm different ideas and then select a typist for your group. You should work together on deciding the lines for the characters.  The script should follow standard script format. The typist will print and turn in the treatment with the names of all three members of the row group on it.  All three co-writers will receive the same score for the script.  All members of the group should be satisfied with the treatment before it is turned in.  Unsatisfactory treatments will be returned for revision.  The story should avoid violence and other themes inappropriate for a school project. 

 

The group will then work together to collaboratively draw ONE set of storyboards for the project.  You will then shoot the script and then complete and individual edit of the video. 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 Treatment (20 points total)

  1. Each group member participates in the brainstorming process.
  2. Each student is listed as an actor or the director/camera operator.
  3. The item that goes missing is listed.
  4. The locations planned for the shoot are listed. 
  5. A narrative description of the story is creative and entertaining.
  6. The story is primarily visual, with a lot of visual description.
  7. Story follows an arc with a beginning, middle, and end.
  8. The treatment is neatly typed and spell checked with the names of all of the three co-writers placed at the top.
  9. The treatment is turned into the appropriate folder on the server (by one member of the group)

 

 Storyboards and Shot Map (20 points total)

 

    1. The group must work collaboratively, with all members discussing the shots needed.
    2. Each group member must alternate drawing the storyboards.  The initials of the artist should be places below the bottom right corner of each cell drawn. 
    3. MUST HAVE A MINIMUN OF 20 ILLUSTRATED SHOTS.
    4. No shot can last more than three seconds. 
    5. The drawings reflect good composition, following the rule of thirds.
    6. The drawings appropriately fill the screen and are not stick figures.
    7. The drawings have appropriate eye room and headroom. 
    8. All members of the group must collaborate and discuss each cell.  Your group will lose points if this is not observed. 
    9. The drawing should be neat in appearance. 
    10. Printing of video and audio directions should be neat.
    11. Stapled to the back is a SHOT MAP of one set, featuring at least three camera set-ups 

 

 Video (80 points total)

  1. Performance (25% of total): 

You are graded on your performance as a director or an actor.  The director/camera operator is responsible for the following:

    1. Director/Camera Operator

                                                               i.      Camera composition (follows rule-of-thirds, proper headroom, eye room, proper framing).

                                                             ii.      Camera technique (color balance is correct; tripod is set properly.

                                                            iii.      Direction (shots have motion that will match when cut to; actors directed to give appropriate performance; retake scenes if needed).

                                                           iv.      Coverage (shooting enough footage to edit, including a variety of shots (CU, MS, OTS, LS, etc.)

                                                             v.      Creativity in shot selection.

    1. Actor

                                                               i.      Delivery of lines (phrasing appears natural; volume appropriate).

                                                             ii.      Character (emotional response and mannerisms are appropriate to the story and the situation).

 

 

  1. Editing (65% of total)
    1. Demonstrate competent use of editing software.

                                                               i.      Effective selection of available takes.

                                                             ii.      No shot last more than three seconds.

                                                            iii.      Appropriate use of cuts and/or transitions.

                                                           iv.      Appropriate use of sound effects and/or music.

                                                             v.      Pacing moves the story along without sacrificing clarity.

                                                           vi.      Starts with your production company logo.

                                                          vii.      The title of the production (you make this up) follows logo.

                                                        viii.      Credits at the end list the following:

Directed by _________

Starring ________  ________

Edited by __________

 

  1. Professionalism (10% of total) 
    1. Professional attitude.

                                                               i.      Works well with others.

                                                             ii.      Follows classroom and school rules.

    1. Assignment completed in a timely manner.

                                                               i.      Assignment delivered in proper format and properly labeled.

 

 


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