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!"
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