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Production: Content Gathering, Scriptwriting and

Production Planning

CECS 5111Dr. Terry Holcomb

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Overview of Contents

Pre-productionContent Gathering

People, PlacesResearch

WritingBuilding blocks Mental blocks

Final Production PlanningSite Surveys, Forms and RolesFormative Evaluation System

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How you got here!(Hint: Pre-production)

We found a need.We decided video would be a good delivery system.We formed work teams and leadership policies.Our groups brainstormed and provided main content ideas.

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“Just the facts, m’am”Keep your eyes on the goals.

Be clear and keep the

group focused!!

Content Gathering

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Content Gathering

This stage involves collecting specific information, features, techniques, announcements and procedures. This is the WHAT, not the HOW!

This can be dull and trying… but it is the key to your video’s success.

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Content Gathering

Start with a team meeting on where and how data should be gathered.

Consider chunking (doing in pieces).Assign each student to a main topic.Then come back together and put the puzzle pieces back together (or link).

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Example of chunking the content

Changing Batteries

replacing

testing

Safety Factors

Billy

power

sizes

Types of Batteries

Allen

installation

getting organized

Installation Procedures

Didi

Allen and Didi

Researchers

replacing installation

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My preference (searching)

I prefer a team approach, even though, at times, the team can have individual tasks.I would assign a main content point and have each member assigned a strategy, but they would use teamwork and communications so all were “on the same page”.

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The Library

Start with your own school library.Ask the librarian for guidance.Then look for help from your city library and other local sources.

Don’t forget magazines and newspapers for ideas.Include a search for pictures and other visuals that might be used.

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Team could even “specialize”

WWW searcherLibrary hunterLocation visitorStargazer

What could we do differently?Does something exist?

Interviewer

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The World Wide Web

You might start by asking for search help from your librarian.Be sure to use more than one search engine.

YahooGoogleLycos

The Web Libraryhosts a series of modulesfocusing on searching the

Internet named NetSearch. It is linked from the Resources page.

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The World Wide Web

Be sure to use more than one search engine.Start with more generic or vague terms, then get more specific.

• battery• car battery• battery replacement• Ford F150 truck battery

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The World Wide Web

Keep track of all site URL’s Cite the source.Copyright

Take notes and print out key pages.Visualize pageURL usually prints on page

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Interviews

Find contacts:Is there a teacher in the school who knows auto mechanics?Is there a parent that might be in the auto repair/sales business?Consider online contacts.

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Interviews

Pre interviewsRelieve stressPractice with camerasMay use the audio or video in final production

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Interviews

How to interviewPrepare questions before meeting.Arrive early and look around/read list.Use a recorder if possible:

audio video if they will allow - you may not have to go back!

The questioningbe in chargebe politethank them

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More interviewing hints

Don’t be the “talker,” be the “good listener”. You are not the content expert!

Use good eye contact and show the person you are interested and paying attention.

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More interviewing hints

Take good, short, notes. Expand later.

Ask questions… if you don’t understand or feel “off track”

Be prepared to “go with the flow” if answer seems different topic, but still is interesting and might be included.

Always call back and thank your subject!!!

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SAMPLE RAW DATAResearch for Logistics Service Video(This is the raw data, typed into my laptop in the library)    October 7, 2002

LOGISTICS INDUSTRY - RESEARCH INFORMATION 

1. SIZE & GROWTH - In the United States alone, manufacturers and distributors paid about $400 billion last year for logistics services. This amount will grow to $500 billion in the next 5 years.

  - This includes trucking, air cargo, express cargo, warehousing, and freight forwarding.

  - Only a small percentage of this amount is outsourced to third-party logistics providers -- but this is starting to change.

  - Third-party logistics may grow to become a $50 billion industry by the end of the decade.

  2. NEW METHODS

- The old distribution approaches are being rendered useless with the rapid expansion of electronic data interchange throughout the transportation industry.

  - Traditional paper trails are vanishing as the industry begins to be freed from past regulatory structures.

- Shipments are moving faster and more frequently. They are timed for exact-day delivery.

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An Important Aside (or two)

The executive producer must ensure that s/he keep the team informed of both copyright and accuracy concerns

copyright-http://www.copyrightkids.org/

accuracy-http://info.csd.org/owsley/accuracy.html

See Resources for more links.

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Test the accuracy of information found on the Internet because -anyone can publish anything!Can you answer these questions to your satisfaction?Is the author named? What organizations is the author affiliated with? What credentials does the author have?Search on the author's name and note if there are other articles by him or her and where they are located.What is the purpose of the document or organization?Is the document dated?Is the information current? Does it matter for your purpose?Is a bibliography of sources included?Does the information appear biased?Does the information agree with information you have found from another source?Are you positive the information is true?

From: http://info.csd.org/owsley/accuracy.html

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Script or Storyboard

Content gathering is finished.Outline is prepared.Information is chunked.

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Writing Time

Get all your information together and call a writing meeting.

storyboards (ideas), content materials (print and visual),interview notes etc!

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Writing Time

Critically review your audience, initial objectives, key content elements.

Organize all your data by content.

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Choose your lead writer

Determine mood and pacing then START WRITING

introductionbasic elementsreview and closure

Be sure to have read suggested readings and assignments about writing scripts for video including format in Resources below.

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Mandatory Readings

You must read the following two articles from the WWW before progressing to the final slides and actually putting pencil to paper or fingers to the keyboard.

Video Scriptwriting (R. Vanguard, STC)http://www.city-net.com/~roxman/script.html

Super Scripts (Bruce Miller ‘script doc’)http://www.mindspring.com/~mmm/scripts.html

See Resources for more links.

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Important Ideas to remember

Every writer has a slightly different style and set of procedures.Creativity challenges and writer’s block can be overcome.

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Important Ideas to remember

Sayings to remember:Less is More KISS If in doubt, throw it out

At every review (formative evaluation), check your audience and goals.

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Main Story Elements of Script

Concept:“day in the life of”Structure: flashbacks?Content: derived from clear goals and objectivesStyle: the “look and feel”Format: two column?See Resources for more information.

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Main Elements

Creativity, balanced by sensibility

keep it simple, then work to make it polished (Miller)

The Opening:most crucial must have a “hook”

The Closing:the “payoff”you should NOT say ‘the end’… they should know you are done!

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Time to Write…

The time has come, get started on your assignment. It may not be easy at all times but hard work in planning and writing should give you a product of which you can be proud.

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Communicate… and have backups!

Be sure to keep ALL team members aware of every stage of work.Train each person not only for their job, but also as a backup for someone else.Practice, work, communicate. Have fun!

Producer & Director

Director and Team

batterychange

Don’t forgetyour releaseForms!

I have the camera personand audio techpracticing!