WEEK 8 (MON. FEB. 25TH, 2019) – American Underground (@Main)
Durham Entrepreneurship + Story Pitch
Teams meet at American Underground, a co-working space for local entrepreneurs @ 201 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
• In-class discussion: Discuss readings, viewings, and reflection papers.
• In-class activities:
Tour American Underground and meet special guests.
Each student comes prepared to pitch one story idea. Your pitch should follow these guidelines:
Theme: Identify a story that fits with one of the four themes of the semester (identified in week 1: Identity, Politics, Mental Health, Arts & Culture)
Platform: Identify a specific media platform for your story (NPR, Vice, BuzzFeed, etc.)
Title: The title should grab the class' attention!
Length: One-two paragraphs. Keep it pithy and on point.
Character: Identify a possible character to carry the story.
Arc: Share a possible story arc, including visuals you'd want to capture. Describe how you envision the story playing out.
Story Aspirations: Identify how your story can connect with one or more of the following storytelling devices: transformation, identity, nostalgia, beauty and authenticity.
Please note: Do not pitch a story unless you have contacted the subjects and confirmed their interest in participating. You will have <5 minutes to present your pitch to the class next week.
• In-class activities:
Tour American Underground and meet special guests.
Each student comes prepared to pitch one story idea. Your pitch should follow these guidelines:
Theme: Identify a story that fits with one of the four themes of the semester (identified in week 1: Identity, Politics, Mental Health, Arts & Culture)
Platform: Identify a specific media platform for your story (NPR, Vice, BuzzFeed, etc.)
Title: The title should grab the class' attention!
Length: One-two paragraphs. Keep it pithy and on point.
Character: Identify a possible character to carry the story.
Arc: Share a possible story arc, including visuals you'd want to capture. Describe how you envision the story playing out.
Story Aspirations: Identify how your story can connect with one or more of the following storytelling devices: transformation, identity, nostalgia, beauty and authenticity.
Please note: Do not pitch a story unless you have contacted the subjects and confirmed their interest in participating. You will have <5 minutes to present your pitch to the class next week.
Team 1
Malcolm: Producer/Asst. Editor Sannan: DP/Asst. Editor Jared: Audio Eng./Editor Team 2: Casey: DP/Asst. Editor Sophia: Audio Eng./Editor |
Team 3:
Simon: Producer/Asst. Editor Marti: DP/Asst. Editor Nicole: Audio Eng./Editor Team 4 Steven: Producer/Asst. Editor Rachel: DP/Asst. Editor Nick: Audio Eng./Editor |
Special Guests
Special American Underground guests:
Caroline DeConto / Director of Membership, American Underground
Christophe Lafargue / Director of Business Development, LUCID DREAM
Ferol Vernon / COO, Written Word Media
Julie Bryce / Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, JulieBryce.com
Justin Laidlaw / Marketer in Residence, American Underground
Caroline DeConto / Director of Membership, American Underground
Christophe Lafargue / Director of Business Development, LUCID DREAM
Ferol Vernon / COO, Written Word Media
Julie Bryce / Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, JulieBryce.com
Justin Laidlaw / Marketer in Residence, American Underground
Assignments
• Each team brings camera and audio equipment next week for a hands-on Production Lab.
In addition, bring one or more of these items for a hands-on tutorial:
Stability: Fluid head manfrotto tripods, baby legs tripod for low angle stable shots.
Lights: Soft box 500w, tungsten light kit, three piece LED light kit.
Motion: DSLR Shoulder mount for run and gun scenarios, DSLR Fig Rig steering wheel style stabilizer, DSLR Slider, iPhone Fly-X3 plus, iPhone pico-dolly
• Teams begin production on Story #2 (three interviews and b-roll, TRT: under 3:30).
Come next week with production questions. We'll also discuss your interview and b-roll footage.
• Next week we are focusing on potential career paths in arts and media. In the reflections below, please tell us what your interests are in arts and media, and any questions you have about navigating creative industries during and after college.
In addition, bring one or more of these items for a hands-on tutorial:
Stability: Fluid head manfrotto tripods, baby legs tripod for low angle stable shots.
Lights: Soft box 500w, tungsten light kit, three piece LED light kit.
Motion: DSLR Shoulder mount for run and gun scenarios, DSLR Fig Rig steering wheel style stabilizer, DSLR Slider, iPhone Fly-X3 plus, iPhone pico-dolly
• Teams begin production on Story #2 (three interviews and b-roll, TRT: under 3:30).
Come next week with production questions. We'll also discuss your interview and b-roll footage.
• Next week we are focusing on potential career paths in arts and media. In the reflections below, please tell us what your interests are in arts and media, and any questions you have about navigating creative industries during and after college.
Read, Watch and Write.
• Reading #1: Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative" Chapters 1-5 (page 1-73)
• Reading #2: Anna Deavere Smith's "Letters to a Young Artist: Basics, Relationships and Work" (pages 3–108)
• Viewings:
• Reading #2: Anna Deavere Smith's "Letters to a Young Artist: Basics, Relationships and Work" (pages 3–108)
• Viewings:
Next week we have two newscasters visiting. Have a look at their work below, and include questions for them in your reflections.
Sarah Krueger Robinson A.B.'12, A.M. '21 / Reporter, WRAL-TV (NBC affiliate)
• Reflections: Students should write reflections on readings and viewings and submit reflections using their personalized Google Doc link (emailed following week 2). Reflections must be submitted by 12pm Sunday, March 3rd.
REMINDER: 25% of your final grade will be based on class participation and reflection papers. See Reflection Papers under grading on the overview page for an exposition of this assignment.
We'll see you on March 4th for Week 9 – Production Lab