A. Topic: brainstorming and research
For this writing exercise, you will explore and develop the possibilities you have to devise or solicit a promotional subject. First, devise a list of possible subjects and determine the project that you will develop. Work with your team to come up with a list of 2-3 possible subjects and clients.
- School organization or need – Is there a particular course, organization, or other entity that might need a promotional or informative piece filmed for their use?
My fraternity could possibly need a promotional rush video for social media promotion.
- Business or fundraising enterprise – Are there any clients that might need an ad to promote their commercial endeavors? A school store?
I worked for Orono Brewing company and there a young, hip, group of people who could potentially want a promotional video filmed, and seem like they would be about having students help them out.
- Music or the arts – Is there a band or another artistic group that could use a short promotional subject about them? Is there a theatrical production currently in rehearsals that might need a short to promote their opening?
My friend is a local DJ who doesn’t really have much management or promotional stuff, just sort of works 1 job. He could possibly use a video to help show him in live action, to perhaps use in the future for jobs.
- Public service – Are there any current topics of note where there is a demonstrated need for public service messages? Check out ongoing competitions or upcoming competitions that are available to young filmmakers concerning the production of public service segments (for example, antidrunk driving or driving safety, anti-dropout messages, suicide prevention, and so forth).
We could make a promotional video about not texting and driving, especially on a college campus because of how often people can be crossing and you should be even more attentive than normal.
- Sports – Is there a need to promote attendance or participation in a particular sport?
I know lots of members of the club lacrosse team, they are a relatively small / new club and could probably use some more promotion.
- Other – What other organization or group could use your promotional skills?
I know of a couple local brands which could both use promotional videos to help benefit their company. They’re both streetwear brands, making unique clothing and trying to appeal to the streetwear fashion culture.
B. Sounds
Now use sound as a catalyst for crafting a scene and message for this short.
- Noise – What noises do you associate with this topic? Are they pleasant? Can they be used in any way to interest the viewer, either through humor, action, or in another way?
Sports- Maybe like the hitting of pads in a lacrosse game, or the swinging of a stick.
Other- Sewing machine could be useful
- Voice – Is there a particular message that needs to be said? What type of voice would you seek to address this topic?
Sports- The particular message is somewhat obvious but maybe having like the captain or coach talk at the end of the video could help
Other- Finn would definitely have some voice over or interview talking about the brand, what he sees for the brand, why it’s unique, ect.
- Music – Are there any types of music that suit this topic? Begin to create a list of possibilities to develop an approach to crafting style and setting tone in the commercial.
Sports- Maybe some type of pump up song instrumental to play behind the lacrosse video, something kinda fast paced seems like it would be best.
Other- I think some sort of hip-hop instrumental would work best for this video because streetwear and hip-hop have some strong correlation with each other.
C. Writing
Draft a proposal for the project. Include the following:
- Client & Audience – who is the client and who is the intended audience?
The client is Finn Mackay, a clothing designer and brand owner of Opaque Apparel. The intended audience is people into streetwear, or who are into fashion, or care somewhat about clothes. Definitely a younger audience for the most part.
- Objective – what is the goal of the project in terms of the message that will be conveyed?
The message is going to be an attempt to show off some of finns abilities. It should showcase some of his work but also talk about the uniqueness of the brand.
- Content – Write a brief summary of the images and sound in the video. This should be approximately five to ten sentences.
The content will be 3 main types of shots, shots showing off some of the clothes he’s made, shots of him making clothes live action, or perhaps doing 1of1 work with a sewing machine, and interview shots of him talking about the brand. There can also be some shots of him perhaps going to pick up clothes, creating social media promotion graphics, or any of the other stuff he does on his own besides the clothes. I think the audio is going to be some sort of hip hop instrumental, he really enjoys hip hop and its culture and I think that’s the kind of vibe he would want to give to the viewer for his brand.
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