Mystery Science Theater Chronology

1. Group Members/ Video selection

Choose your video and choose the genre (comedy, horror, etc.)

As soon as you have selected your clip, let me know to see if it is available

Maximum of 3 members per group

2. Story & Characters

*Optional* Write the Story Structure for your clip (beginning/middle/end) using this pdf

*Optional* Create a Story Structure using the same sheet for the film from which this was taken

*Optional* Complete the Story Map sheet and save it

*Optional* Complete character names and personality traits worksheets OR Male character acts/ female character maps FOR EACH CHARACTER who has a speaking part

3. Pitch/Synopsis

In MS Word write a Pitch(1 sentence) and a Treatment (5-7 sentences) of your story (think Netflix description, or what you would read on the back of a DVD box) This should include brief outlines of each major character

Save a copy of this as a .pdf file for submission

4. Edit

Your group will edit your video to the desired length and arrange the clips to your liking

I will be giving a demonstration in class of simple techniques to be used.

5. Screenplay

You will be reverse engineering the clip when describing your scenes and the actions associated with them

This screenplay will be typed using the standard conventions explained in class

This will be submitted as a .pdf with a proper cover

Please use Celtx free software to write this screenplay

6. Dialogue

Begin recording dialogue and scrubbing it to make sure it matches the actor’s mouth movements as closely as possible (ADR)

7. Sound Effects “A”

Create a list of sound effects and Foleys you will need and when they will be inserted into the film

You will need to record at least 4 of your own Foleys (see this sheet for reference)

Add all Foleys/ sound effects and incorporate any soundtrack you will be adding

8. Credits, titles, and transitions

Add any transitions that you had in your screenplay

Create an introduction using a typeface that you have downloaded from the web (Dafont.com)

9. Sound effects “B”

Record the SMPTE (click here for example) time code and duration for each sound effect or Foley used after it is inserted in your timeline

Make sure that you signify which sound effects or Foleys you created with an asterix or footnote.

At the end of the .pdf document, describe in detail how you created the sound effect or Foley associated with each asterix or footnote (materials, distance from recording device, etc.)

Click here for an example.

10. Complete and hand in the following in a virtual or hard copy folder:

· 2 story structure sheets (one for your clip, one for the what you think happened before and after your clip) (.pdf) *Optional*

· Story Map Sheet (.pdf) *Optional*

· Mind Map (.jpg) *Optional*

· Synopsis (.pdf)

· Screenplay (.pdf)

· Sound effects and Foleys “A” and “B”(.pdf)

· Final Film (.mov)

Your final film will be graded with particular attention paid to the following:

· Sound FX, ADR, and audio /100 (Weight 1.0)

· Cohesiveness of overall production /100 (Weight 1.0)

· Editing and transitions /100 (weight .4)

	25	50	75	100
Sound FX, ADR, and audio (x1.0)	Few, if any sound FX used, no consideration given to clip volume, poor music choice and no self created Foleys, poor if any, ADR	Sound FX used sparingly, and audio is either too soft or loud. Voices do not match lips/ poorly annunciated. Soundtrack is inappropriate	Many Sound FX used, and in appropriate locations. ADR matches lips and is annunciated. Soundtrack suits production. Creative use of Foleys	Seamless integration of ADR, not too fast, nor too slow, multiple layering of audio FX. Foleys used are extremely creative. Create own soundtrack.
Cohesiveness of overall production (x.8)	Storyline follows no plot. Story drags and is not enhanced by audio	Storyline is “short term funny” Audio is used but inappropriate to situation. Obvious manipulation of audio is apparent	Story presented is resolved or leads to bigger question. Audience is left wanting more, and feeling is enhanced by audio	Oscar buzz. Audience left speechless. Looks at the “Big Picture”, or is uncontrollably funny “Long term funny”
Editing and transitions (x.8)	No editing, uses standard fonts available in iMovie, poor credits (works not cited) and choppy transitions/cuts	Editing does not enhance movie and is choppy/ obvious. No use of appropriate fonts. Minimal credit given. Little thought is given to transitions.	Seamless editing (not noticed by audience.) Appropriate fonts downloaded and used. Editing is used creatively with audio to enhance overall feel of film	Editing and audio play off one another to create a film greater than the sum of its parts. Fonts are very well thought out and credits are a production on their own