CJ 241 ASSIGNMENT #2

THREE ELEMENT AUDIO COMMERCIAL

KAPFER

55 POINTS                                         

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE IN LAB THURSDAY OCTOBER 1ST   

 

You will write, produce, record, edit and (if you want) star in an audio commercial. You can make it about any sort of product or service, real or imagined, that you want. You have considerable latitude except for the following requirements:

                First, it must include elements of the three sound design domains: speech (voice/narration), sound effects, and music. We will talk in detail about these elements, their characteristics and how they can be used in different ways.  You must have at least THREE (3) different sound effects and at least ONE (1) 15 SECOND music segment. We have a small music and sound effects library you can use. This library has been digitized and can also be found on the “J” drive on the university server. Or you can make your own sound effects and, since these are not being aired, you are free to use any music (even your own) you think fits your commercial. Just keep in mind you will be graded on appropriateness of the music. Does it fit the product/service you are trying to promote? Does it fit the audience you are trying to persuade?

Another requirement is that it must be EITHER 28-30 seconds long OR 58-60 seconds. These are the standard lengths of commercials in radio.  I am giving you the option because sometimes you need extra time for sound effects. However, it must be one or the other of those lengths. Not 35 seconds or 46 seconds or anywhere in between. If you choose the longer option, you are NOT allowed to have 45 second of announcer copy and fill the remaining 15 seconds with music. It must be a complete commercial/psa. So you need to plan it out completely.

                Next, it should make sense. It shouldn’t be just some random, incoherent lines. It should be an effort to sell or promote a product or service. As with the sound narrative please use appropriate language and sound effects. This warning includes music that might have potentially offensive lyrics. Remember, you are trying to sell the product or service to average consumers. So you don’t want to offend them.

 

THE PROCESS

On the W drive you will have a folder/directory assigned to you. You will need to create a series of folders in your main folder on the W drive. Call the first one “commercial” and your username. Within this “commercial” folder, create two additional separate folders. Call one “session files” and the other “final mixdown.” The “session files” folder is for all the different files (music, voice, sound FX) you will use to put your commercial together. The other will contain ONLY YOUR FINAL MIXDOWN FILE. (We will talk about this in more detail when we work on the Adobe Audition editing program.) These are what I will listen to when the assignments are due. Remember, in a session, all the files must be present for it to work properly. So whenever you save a wav file make sure you are saving to the appropriate folder on the W drive. When you have done all your session work, do the final mixdown and save that in the other folder. I WILL NOT GO LOOKING FOR IT. If it’s not in the right folder, you don’t get credit. AND LABEL ALL YOUR FILES PROPERLY!!!

 

WHAT TO HAND IN

 When the assignment is due (THURSDAY OCT. 1ST  ) I will go into your main folder and copy to my computer your “commercial” folder that will contain your session folder and mixdown folder. This is what I will use for grading. If there is nothing in the folders when I copy them, you get NO CREDIT.  Please make sure everything is properly labeled and identifiable. You must also hand in a copy of the script you use. This need not be in a specific format.

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE IN LAB THURSDAY OCTOBER 1ST  

 

 

Any questions please feel free to ask.

CJ 241

GRADING SHEET

MULTI TRACK-THREE ELEMENT COMMERCIAL

55 Points

 

 

NAME           

 

 

 

 

THREE ELEMENT COMMERCIAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 55 pts

Length             (:30)     (:60)                                                                (5)        5

Levels: Music                                                                                      (5)        5         

Levels: Voice                                                                                      (5)        5

Levels: Sound effects                                                                         (5)        5

 

Minimum THREE (3) different sound effects                                                (5)        5

Minimum ONE (1) 15 second music segments                                 (3)        3

Script typed/handed in on time                                                           (2)        2

Files and folders properly labeled                                                       (5)        5

 

Appropriateness of music                                                                  (5)        5

Appropriateness of Sound FX                                                            (5)        5

Overall quality/sound                                                                         (10)      10

           

 

TOTAL POINTS