MediaArtTutorials
W7 - Pre-Production Package
Plan a one-minute, no-dialogue short film, creating a pre-production package that translates your visual concept into a realistic production plan.
❗ Attendance and engagement are part of the rubric.
You are expected to work actively during class time and participate in all in-class activities.
1-Minute Short Films
- Unknown (2024), by Akil Joefield
- PAREIDOLIA (2023), by Carlos Andrés Reyes
- 2 AM COFFEE (2023), by Forrain
- Anonymous Gift (2023), by Michael Kitka
- Alone (2020), by Shane P. Liao
- The Wait (2020), by Nolt Vutthisak
Activities
Complete the following in order. Ask the professor or TAs for support or feedback.
- Activity 1: Micro-Treatment [30m]
- Activity 2: Script [30m]
- Activity 3: Annotated Storyboard [1h]
- Homework: Location Scouting, Equipment List, & Production Schedule
- 📤 Submission
Activity 1: Micro-Treatment [30m]
Step 1 — Commit to One Idea
Review your brainstorm document and commit to one of your ideas.
In bullet points (keep it short), outline:
- What is the story about? (Describe the situation in concrete, visual terms.)
- What is the central action of the story? (What physically happens on screen from beginning to end?)
- What is the emotional arc? (Beginning → shift → ending. What changes emotionally?)
Step 2 — Write 3 Logline Versions
For detailed guidance, examples of strong and weak loglines, and tips on specificity and visual clarity, refer to Week 7 - Pre-Production Framework: Loglines and W7 - Tutorials
Write three different versions of your logline.
Each logline must:
- Be one sentence
- Describe a 1-minute visual story (no dialogue)
- Suggest a clear action
- Indicate an emotional shift
- Avoid vague themes (e.g., “A film about loneliness”) be specific (e.g. “A student eats lunch alone in a crowded cafeteria, watching groups form and disperse around them.”)
Step 3 — Select & Refine
- Choose your strongest version.
- Revise it once more for clarity and precision.
- Remove unnecessary words.
- Make sure it reflects something you can realistically shoot.
Step 4 — Document
Create a one-page document that includes:
- Working Title
- Author (your full name)
- Logline (1 clear sentence)
- Emotional Trajectory, three bullet-points: Beginning, Shift, Ending.
➡️ Save the completed document as:
Lastname_Firstname_MicroTreatment.pdf
Activity 2: Script [30m]
Download the 📄 W7 Script Template - Fillable PDF or W7 Script Template - WORD Document and complete all required sections.
For detailed guidance on formatting, structure, scene headings, transitions, and visual writing strategies, refer to Week 7 - Pre-Production Framework: Script and W7 - Tutorials
Your script must:
- Be 1 minute in duration
- Include one to three scenes
- Consider only one to two locations
- Use proper slugline format
INT. / EXT. – LOCATION – TIME OF DAY
- Include transitions
Fade In/Out, Hard Cut, Cut To, Jump Cut, Dissolve (Cross-Dissolve), Match Cut
- Describe clear physical action only
- Contain 250–400 words total (for the entire document)
This script will guide:
- Your storyboard
- Your shot planning
- Your equipment list
- Your production schedule
➡️ Save the completed template as:
Lastname_Firstname_Script.pdf
You may complete the template digitally or by hand.
If you use the printed version, it must be clearly scanned and compiled into a single PDF before submission.
Activity 3: Annotated Storyboard [1h]
Download the 📄 W7 Annotated Storyboard Template - Fillable PDF or W7 Annotated Storyboard Template - WORD Document and complete all required sections.
For detailed guidance on shot structure, framing, camera movement, lighting and sound planning, refer to Week 7 - Pre-Production Framework: Annotated Storyboard and W7 - Tutorials
For Each Shot (6-10), You Must Complete:
- Shot #
Sequential number following the order of your script
- Estimated Duration
Second / Total time should be 60 seconds
- Shot Type
WLS, FS, MWS, MS, MCU, CU, Frame within a Frame
- Camera Angle
Eye-Level, Low Angle, Overhead, OTS, Dutch Angle, POV
- Camera Movement
Static, Zoom, Pan, Tilt, Dolly, Handheld
- One-Sentence Action Description
Write one clear sentence describing what happens in the shot
- Lighting Plan
Type of Lighting with direction and intensity.
- Sound Plan
Non-Diegetic, Diegetic (on-screen / off-screen), Specific Sound Cues, Ambience
- Equipment Needed
General equipment needed per shot: lens, tripod, mic, light, reflector, etc.
Important Guidelines
- Your storyboard must reflect your script.
- Do not introduce new actions not present in the script.
- Maximum of one or two locations.
- ⚠️ Your Camera movements, Lighting Plan and Sound Plan must be realistic and achievable using the available department equipment.
- Artistic drawing skill is not graded — clarity is.
Available equipment:
➡️ Save the completed template as:
Lastname_Firstname_Storyboard.pdf
You may complete the template digitally or by hand.
If you use the printed version, it must be clearly scanned and compiled into a single PDF before submission.
Homework: Location Scouting, Equipment List, & Production Schedule
Location Scouting (1–2 Locations Maximum)
Download the 📄 W7 Location Scouting Template - Fillable PDF or W7 Location Scouting Template - WORD Document and complete all required sections.
For detailed guidance on evaluating spaces, assessing lighting and sound conditions, and aligning locations with your production plan, refer to Week 7 - Pre-Production Framework: Location Scouting and W7 - Tutorials
You may include 1–2 locations maximum.
Choose spaces that are realistic, accessible, and shootable within your schedule.
For each location, include:
- Location Identification
Indoor / Outdoor, Building Name, Specific Space
- General Photo of Location
Wide photo showing the full space you plan to use
- Lighting Conditions
Natural Light Source, Time of Day Planned, Existing Practical Lights, Color Temperature, Limitations
- Sound Environment
General Sound Level, Foot Traffic / Public Activity, Mechanical Noise, External Noise
- Accessibility & Control
Do you have permission to film here? Can you control lighting? Can you control sound?
➡️ Save the completed template as:
Lastname_Firstname_LocationScouting.pdf
Equipment List
List all equipment required for your production.
Your list must:
- Match your Annotated Storyboard
Reflect your Lighting Plan and Sound Plan
- Be specific
Do not write “camera” or “lights”
Identify the actual equipment, “Canon T4i” or “Light Kit - Fiilex 360 LED (Large - 3 Lights)”. - Be realistic based on available department equipment
➡️ Save the completed document as:
Lastname_Firstname_EquipmentList.pdf
Production Schedule
You must create a realistic and detailed production plan.
This schedule should clearly show that you understand how long setup, shooting, and resets actually take.
Include:
- Shoot Date(s)
- Time Window (start and end time)
- Location(s)
- Estimated Time Per Shot or Sequence
- Buffer Time (minimum 20–30 minutes recommended)
Production Window: Thursday, March 5 – Wednesday, March 11
- There are no classes on Thursday, March 5.
- However, you must schedule and attend a one-to-one feedback meeting with the TA or instructor before recording.
- You may not begin filming until your plan has been reviewed.
- You must complete all filming by March 11.
- Plan ahead. Do not wait until the last day to record.
➡️ Save the completed document as:
Lastname_Firstname_Schedule.pdf
📤 Submission
| Item | Required Filename |
|---|---|
| Pre-Production Package (ZIP) | Lastname_Firstname_PreProductionPackage.zip |
⚠️ Follow the submission protocols carefully.
⚠️ Incorrect submissions will result in a half-point deduction❗
Deliverables — 📦 Pre-Production Package (ZIP)
- Micro-Treatment:
Lastname_Firstname_MicroTreatment.pdf - Script (use template):
Lastname_Firstname_Script.pdf - Annotated Storyboard (use template):
Lastname_Firstname_Storyboard.pdf - Location Scouting (use template):
Lastname_Firstname_LocationScouting.pdf - Equipment List:
Lastname_Firstname_EquipmentList.pdf - Production Schedule:
Lastname_Firstname_Schedule.pdf
Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez
AI Disclosure:
AI Disclosure: ChatGPT was used for editing and clarity only. No original course content was generated using AI.