Module #2: Pre Pro Post

Module 2: Introduction to Production Stages (Core)

Three stages of production:
• pre-production: planning
• production: creating the product
• post-production: refining and editing the final product.

Pre-Production Stage
Inform the students that the labs in this module focus on pre-production activities, although they will first be introduced to all three production stages. Production and post-production activities will be encountered in later modules.

In this module, students may choose to work on pre-production activities that will form the basis for production work in Module 8.
Pre-production includes all activities related to planning. The following are examples:

• setting up the production team
• identifying tasks
• establishing timelines
• preparing a treatment and/or script
• storyboarding
• casting
• gathering equipment and props
• finding locations
• scheduling (equipment, shooting, personnel)
• preparing various logs
• establishing timelines.

The pre-production stage of communication production includes the following activities:

• Identifying message, audience, and appropriate medium
• Developing an idea (writer, producer, and director)
• Evaluating resources/making a plan (production manager)
• Getting organized (production coordinator).

Storyboards

Students should learn that storyboards are the director's blueprints for production, and that, among other responsibilities, the director casts the characters and decides on locations.

Production Stage

Remind students that they will be doing only pre-production activities in this module. They will be briefly introduced to the production and post-production stages now, so that they know what they will encounter in the production modules that follow.
When students study the production modules of this course they will encounter the following in each medium:

Video Production

• working in production teams
• following storyboards
• rehearsing
• setting up locations and blocking shots
• camera operation and techniques (shooting)
• recording audio with/without external microphones
• lighting set-ups and techniques
• equipment maintenance

Audio Production

• following a script or outline to produce an audio production
• demonstrating care and maintenance of basic audio equipment
• operating audio equipment including simple microphones recording in a variety of situations

Multimedia Production

• following storyboards
• using two or more media and technologies
• demonstrating set-up and shut down of presentation situations

During post-production the job of editing begins.

Editing is often considered the most challenging, creative, satisfying, and time consuming stage of production. In order to edit audio and video footage, an editing system is required. Nonlinear equipment is preferred, especially at Levels 20 and 30, but if it is not available students at this level can edit with two VCRs or two tape machines.

Post-production includes:

• assembly of the visual images
• addition of audio elements
• addition of graphics, including headings, logos, and credits.

Explain the processes involved in simple video editing. Students at this level will probably use linear editing equipment, i.e., two VCRs.

Explain the processes involved in simple audio editing.

Explain the processes involved in simple multimedia editing.

DAY ONE – View Movie Clips:


PRE-PRODUCTION

Jungle Book - Storyboard

PRODUCTION

Twilight – Directors Commentary, Movie Companion

POST-PRODUCTION

What Dreams May Come – deleted scenes
Shrek – Visual Goofs

DAY TWO – GROUP WORK – Divide and conquer! Divide into 3 groups and research these three ideas – Print off ideas and research for the bulletin board!