The Rules of Engagement Media SAT – 2009

Engaging audiences Developing your story ideas….. To “hear’ how a line of dialogue will ring in an audiences ears To feel how a shot will make the audience feel To make choices – why that image, why that word, why that shot… and not another?

In any form of storytelling, you aspire to allow your audience to experience very strong feelings, and through that you hope to illuminate what it means at special moments to be truly human. As a storyteller, your goal is to act on an audience You do this by using what you strongly feel, by being proactive and trying to make people think and feel in unfamiliar ways What matters is finding words or images to capture the exact flavour of an experience, to light up some aspect of the human condition as you know it. When you get it right, your audience will immediately recognise it and be moved.

Step 1 – Finding your controlling idea Personal connections underpin all good stories and lend them impact with audiences. Access, value, and build on what you carry within. Discover the source of your stories, and those you are best qualified to tell. Look for causes and effects in your own life and grasping the nature of what you feel most deeply. BUT THIS IS WHERE THE PURE SELF-EXPRESSION ENDS – from now on we are ruled by engaging our audience.

Step 2 – Research and Decision Making View as many examples of your chosen media form (short film, photography) as you possibly can. Analyse stories for their effectiveness, meaning and purpose, their use of dramatic and genre conventions, and their use of story and production elements. Make notes of what choices were made in those texts and why.

Step 3 – Writing your Statement of Intention and Audience Intention: The sentence or two that you write out and stick on your computer monitor/locker/bedhead that guides EVERY decision from now on. Audience: The person your film is/photographs are for – that you keep in mind when making EVERY decision from now on.

Step 4 – Story Development – Story Element Specifications Think about and write about: How will point of view engage the audience? How will character and character motivations engage the audience? How will the setting engage the audience? How will the structuring of time engage the audience? How will the opening sequence and narrative possibilities engage the audience? How will cause and effect engage the audience? How will the closing sequence engage the audience?

Step 5 – The Pitch A pitch is a concise verbal presentation of an idea for a film, made by a screenwriter to a producer in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for a screenplay to be written. A photography pitch is a concise verbal presentation of an idea for a photography exhibition, made by the photographer to a gallery owner in the hope of attracting finance to put on the exhibition A good short film or photography pitch is generally between 2 – 3 minutes long and lays out the premise, hook and essential beats of the story/theme, along with principle characters/subjects (often including the names of actors who may play the roles/models who may be subjects). It includes a clear idea of the genre/style and tone of the story/theme, and the likely audience. If the producer is interested in the pitch they would ask to see a treatment. If not, they will often follow up with “What else have you got?”. For this reason, a wise supplicant will be prepared to pitch a second and possibly third idea without hesitation.

Your Pitch – First Week of Term Two 2011 You will be required to “pitch” your idea to the class in the first week back, following the format on the previous slide. You will also need to submit your statement of intention and audience (half a page MAXIMUM), to be submitted to the Head of School for SAT approval.

Now you are ready to begin your folio! If you follow all of these steps, you are setting yourself up for success. ALWAYS have your audience in mind. ALWAYS question and then justify your decisions. ALWAYS record all ideas /inspirations /changes /developments.

SAT 2011 Year 12 Media School Assessed Task Final Due date for SAT: Friday, 2nd September 2011 Breakdown of your study score for Media: SAT: 35% (tech exercise one 2%, tech exercise two 3%, PDP and product 30%) SACs: 20% (Narrative 8%, Social Values 6%, Media Influence 6%) Exam: 45% (all areas of narrative, social values and media influence examinable) Please take note: Media as a subject will get marked down. The higher your score however, generally the less you get marked down. Your SAT is an opportunity to get up to 35 marks that will go straight to your score – take advantage of the opportunities offered to you.

SAT Requirements: video production (4-10 minutes duration – editing using Final Cut Software) OR photography production (10-15 images – editing using Photoshop Software) SAT regulations set by the VCAA in accordance with College values and community standards: The SAT must not include anything which includes or could be construed as: racial or religious vilification anti-female anti-gay excessive swearing nazi symbolism sexual violence gratuitous sexual references simulated sexual activity actual nudity drug use suicide graphic violence depicting excessive blood or gore anything else deemed by the Head of School to be inappropriate

A detailed Production Design Plan will accompany your final product A detailed Production Design Plan will accompany your final product. The PDP must be completed before the product is commenced, and the majority of which should be completed in class time. The PDP is a comprehensive document that is the total plan for the production of your video or photography product. It will need to be at least 40 pages of carefully planned work (including script, storyboards) that should include around a page on each topic as discussed in this package. As a guide of the detail required, anyone should be able to pick up your PDP and successfully create your desired product.

Video/Photography Production You are required to create a video of between 4-10 minutes duration (including title sequences/credits), or a photography layout between 10-15 images. Make something that matters to you, something you will be proud of, something that will challenge and interest you for the whole process (we will be working on this for a whole term!)

The Pitch: You will be required to “pitch” your idea to the rest of the class in the first week of Term Two. This is an opportunity to get feedback from your peers and teacher, and have a chance to express your ideas. You must submit a statement of intention with the pitch, which will be forwarded to the Head of School for SAT approval (you cannot begin without approval).

Statement of Intention and Audience: A brief document (half a page maximum) that outlines the purpose and intention of your idea. What is it you want to create? Why? Describe your idea. How will you create it? For whom? (use these questions as a prompt).

Production Phase Organisation is the key to success here. You need to plan extremely well and be extremely disciplined. Practice with the camera and lights as much as possible – remember you cannot learn to ride a bike by reading a book. Go out and scout locations and actors – they are not always easy to find! Do not leave it to the last minute. Aim to hand in your final product at least one week before the deadline. If you’re not sure about something, ASK!!! Make notes of ALL changes you make along the way for your realisation. While editing your production, show different people to get feedback. Have fun, enjoy the process, and DO NOT FALL BEHIND!

Pages to be included in your PDP Please note: all pages will be accompanied by a more detailed explanation in the form of a handout prior to commencing each new section. This is a brief overview of your expectations for each section.

Brainstorm: Fill out the 50 boxes provided on the sheets of paper Brainstorm: Fill out the 50 boxes provided on the sheets of paper. These can incorporate any ideas you may have, the only requirements are that you fill all 50 boxes. (1 page) Media Choice: A document explaining why you chose the medium you are working with (film or photography). What qualities does the medium have? What strengths? Limitations? (1 page)

Influences: Must include at least 3 influences Influences: Must include at least 3 influences. Who or what inspires you? Look at particular directors, photographers, musicians, photos, films, or genres that have elements that you would like to replicate in your final piece. (2 – 3 pages) Concept Brainstorm: In the form of a mind map. Start brainstorming more specific ideas. You should be looking at when, how, who, what, why. Look at specifications, characters, plot, themes, compositions. (1 Page)

Intention: A detailed document outlining what you intend to do in your piece. Mirrors the technical exercise. (1 Page) Audience: A detailed exploration of the nature of your intended audience. What is their gender, age, locality, social status, occupation, education standards, religious status, marital status, etc. What do you want them to think or feel? (1 page)

Timeline: A detailed plan of attack regarding your production Timeline: A detailed plan of attack regarding your production. How will you finish off your folio? When will you begin filming? When will you scout locations? Where will your editing days be? When have you planned for contingency days if things go wrong? Aim to have it finished one week early. (1 Page) Specifications: 1 page (approx.) for each specification, as provided on the following page. Very detailed exploration of how you will use each specification in your film/photographic production. See notes over page how to approach each specification. (7-10 pages)

Treatment: A written statement of your final piece including the following: Concept, Tone, Theme, Characterisation, Story. (2-3 pages) Storyboard: Visual representation of your final piece. For film, every key shot must be storyboarded (usually average about 60-80 total). For photography, every shot must be storyboarded (10-15, depending on how many is in your exhibition). (5 – 10 pages)

Script: For film only. A detailed script including all scenes and dialogue, to be submitted in the correct format. (5-10 pages) Exhibition/method of presentation: For photography only. An explanation (visual and written) of how your photography layout is to be exhibited. (2 pages)

Specification for FILM: Style/genre Storyline/outline of content Location/setting Dialogue/narration/interview questions Camera: position, framing, movement Edit details and transitions Lighting Music/sound FX

Specifications for Photography: Method of presentation and exhibition Style/genre Subject/topic Location Lighting Composition Techniques: including selective focus, filtration, Manipulation contrast, use of specialty papers, toning, colouring, typography, Photoshop manipulations .

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Points to consider Your idea should reflect something that you care about, not just something that you think will ‘look cool’. It should reflect your opportunity for self-expression. Each photo should work as a piece of art on its own, but then clearly communicate your message to the audience when combined in exhibition. You cannot ‘capture moments’, as every photograph must be solicitously planned and storyboarded BEFORE you begin shooting. You have the chance with photography to considerately ‘set the scene’ in terms of set dressing and design, use of lighting, and props and colours. Practice as much as possible with different techniques before it is time for your production. Think of editing as a way of enhancing your photo, not something to devalue it. It does not have to be a large manipulation, but you do need to have made some kind of addition in Photoshop. Let yourself be inspired by the people, places, and things around you. Photography is an art-form; a medium of self expression. Make it work for you at its fullest potential.

FILMMAKERS: Points to consider Choose an idea that matters to you, that you feel passionately about, that will provide you with the drive and determination to stick with it 100% for the whole process. Focus on the opening sequence – how are you going to hook your audience in, wanting to see more? Create interesting characters, and think about every aspect of their presence. What will their costume, their looks, their relationships with others, reveal about their personality to the audience? Choose people to act in your film that suit the roles. A 17-year-old trying to play a 45-year-old father makes your film look amateur. Who is going to be reliable? Think about whether you should start at the beginning, middle, or end of your story. Can you manipulate the structuring of time to make it more interesting? Your name should not appear anywhere is the opening or closing titles, just your student number. While editing, always get an outsiders point of view to check over your footage. You may find it difficult to cut scenes that you may feel passionate about, but it has to be done. If a particular scene/shot is not revealing information about a character, developing the setting, or furthering the plot, cut it. Make every single shot count – every shot should be a piece of highly refined visual composition that is interesting, complex and well-planned.

Time to get cracking! Good Luck Boys!! 