ASSEMBLE THE PRODUCTION TEAM
PRODUCER - Co-ordinates all elements
of the event.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - A member of the sponsoring organization
who acts as an important liaison between the producer and the
various committees.
A/V DIRECTOR - produces the audio-visual presentation with material
supplied by committees.
THEME & DECOR DESIGNERS ART DIRECTOR - Prepares printed materials
such as invitations, programs media releases etc.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - Designs Sound, Lighting, AV, and Staging.
DECIDE ON A THEME
The theme of a well-produced
awards show should have all the excitement and production values
of an Academy Awards Show or the Grammies. The Awards show not
only rewards individuals for their productivity but also creates
excitement and incentive. An exciting show inspires everyone
in the organization!
WRITE THE SCRIPT
This is a task shared by the
Awards Committee, the Production Assistant, the AV Director
and the Producer. In some cases a professional scriptwriter
may be necessary, particularly if the show has a high comedy
or theatrical content. The script in its final draft will be
the bible for the actual event containing all the AV, lighting
and sound cues as well as stage directions and "copy" to be
spoken by presenters.
DESIGN THE EVENT
Now that we have a theme and
script, it is time for the designers to complete design elements.
* The LOGO - to appear on invitations, programs, AV projections.
* The DECOR - for the reception room,
the main room and the table centres.
* The SET - the stage upon which the presentations
will take place. * The AWARD - the actual presentation.
THE LIGHTING PACKAGE
A modern, exciting lighting package
is the single most important element, other than talent, in
creating a professional and exhilarating evening. State of the
art robotic spotlights follow spots, pattern generators, projections,
marquis lights and chasers plus special effects such as smoke,
and indoor fireworks are combined to create fabulous theatrical
climaxes.
CASTING
A really slick Awards Show has
one main Host/MC, usually a celebrity or professional MC and
several additional Presenters garnered from the organization's
ranks, customers, politicians, show business personalities,
comic actors etc. The Award Show is broken up with additional
Entertainment. Some highly successful entertainment elements
are; Dance Production Numbers ("Masquerade" from Phantom of
the Opera), Musical Theatre Performers, Variety Acts, Pop Singers,
Improv actors and Theatresports teams. Additional entertainment
is utilized during the reception, during dinner and after the
show for dancing.
THE AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION
The AV Presentation is prepared
by the Award Committee in conjunction with a professional company
that specializes in live AV. The presentation runs concurrently
with the live Awards Show under the direction of the producer.
The AV may be still photos of the recipients at work and play,
highlights of previous years presentations, video taken at the
office Xmas party, incentive or promotional tapes etc. In addition
a separate director can co-ordinate a live multi-camera shoot
projected simultaneously on giant screens and recorded for posterity
to be edited for next year's event.
MUSIC
Each recipient of an award is
supported by "chaser" music, either from a live orchestra or
pre-recorded, on his or her walk to the stage. The producer
also co-ordinates fanfares, comic stings, opening overtures,
closing music and appropriate "source" music to enhance the
flow of the show.
SAMPLE
AWARD SHOW
THE THEME
Hollywood in the 30's, after
prohibition and at the peak of its glamour. The biggest stars
are Fairbanks, Gish, Garbo and Fred Astaire. The productions
are unbelievably opulent; Busby Berkley and the water queen
Ester Williams. Most of the world is in desperate depression
but the stars of Hollywood are living in a free-wheeling luxury
never again to be experienced...until now!..AWARDS BANQUET 2003.
THE RECEPTION
The guests arrive directly to
the reception area. They are confronted with a colourful entrance
composed of balloons and lighting effects creating the event
logo. Once through the entrance, the foyer is decorated like
the Brown Derby Restaurant at Hollywood and Vine. They are greeted
by comic actors portraying the great comedy characters of Hollywood;
Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle,
Keystone Kops etc. A piano player plays lively silent movie
style and the actors improvise and interact with the guests.
Saucy starlet waitresses and cigarette girls serve pink champagne
and caviar. The women are given tiaras and headbands and the
comic characters build the tempo of the "party" introducing
groups of people to one another. A famous director whizzes into
the room with a cameraman and insists on screen testing the
guests. Soon Fatty Arbuckle announces that it is time to go
to the Award Banquet and everyone (except the recipients) moves
to the main room.
THE MAIN ROOM
The main room looks like the
cabaret scene from the Fred Astaire movie "Top Hat". Pin spots
beam through an artificial fog to illuminate beautifully designed
table centres. Prominent in the room is the main stage. It is
on two levels. The downstage area is clear and painted glossy
black. The upstage area is higher and accessed by a stylized
staircase. The backdrop is framed by two marble pillars and
a banister that creates a balcony facing upstage towards a cyclorama.
The cyc is brilliantly lit to create a Hollywood sunset. This
is the main source of light in the room. Gobo'd on the sunset
is the event logo. Silhouetted against this scene is an Orchestra
playing Gershwin's "Shall We Dance". The orchestra plays for
the entire event, encouraging guests to slow dance between dinner
courses.
THE PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
Once the audience is seated,
the orchestra plays a fanfare, and an announcer introduces the
honored guests. "....ladies and gentlemen, the 1997 award recipients!.
The "Parade of Champions" enters the room to rousing music and
applause. Spotlights circle the room and indoor fireworks explode!
Live television cameras display the entrance on giant screens
on either side of the room Once the recipients are seated, the
announcer introduces the main Host/M.C. "...ladies and gentlemen,
your M.C. for this evening...William Shatner!"
