ENG4U – Hamlet Production Pitch Assignment.
Your group of young, hip, creative and talented dramaturges have decided to put on a production of Hamlet. You have found a theatre—Ininotna Theatre, a budding avant-garde stage in Toronto—that may be interested in producing your play. You have a meeting with the owner in one month to “pitch” your production and hopefully secure funding and a place to stage your play. Your job over the next month is to prepare a production package for the meeting with the owners and investors on ______.
To make sure your “pitch” goes well, your group members must take on the following roles: Stage Directors, Casting Directors, Set and Costume designers and Publicists. (The responsibilities for each of these roles will be explained in detail on the reverse)
Your group will meet regularly to help one another plan and to ensure that you are all working toward the same artistic goals. For example, everyone must be aware of particular themes, motifs, settings and textual interpretations each group member is trying to highlight and portray to the audience.
On the pitch due date, each of you will give the owner a production package (explained on reverse).
The Production Package
Each group member is responsible for a Production Package. The requirements and responsibilities for each are detailed below:
Stage Directors: Your job is to have a clear understanding of the text so that you can “direct” how and where the actors should deliver the lines on stage. Your section of the Production Package will be a very detailed account of a scene (or part of a scene). Elements you must consider are: blocking, body language, facial expressions, voice, entrances and exits, etc. You will also write an introduction (1/2 page) in which you outline your group’s vision/interpretation of the play. This piece will be very important for all the other members of your group, as it will form the base around which the play is designed.
Set and Costume design: Your job is to develop a creative set that meets the theatrical needs and thematic vision of the directors. The Ininotna Theatre is modeled after the Globe’s thrust stage, but you will have a budget to add some modern props and technology to meet your needs (major changes and extravagant technology must be discussed with the theatre owner first). A list of possible additions will be made available to you. Your section of the Production Package will be a detailed account (visuals are a must) of the props, technology and costumes used in play. As well, you must write an explanation of how the set and costumes develop the thematic/aesthetic vision of the directors.
Casting Directors: Your job is to work with the directors to decide how 3 of the principle characters should be characterized on stage. Your section of the Production Package will be a detailed character sketch of 3 characters. The sketch should detail how you envision their personalities, motivations, concerns, etc. For example, is your Ophelia young and meek or older and assertive? Is your Polonius old and foolish or sly and conniving? Next, you will decide whom your cast members will be, indicating, in writing, why each particular actor is good for the part. To show your characterization, choose a key line from each character and explain how they would deliver the line to show their personality.
Publicist: Your job is to promote and market the play. You will produce TWO of the following media promotions for your play: a press release, a poster, a flyer, a magazine advertisement, a playbill, an Internet ad, or others (see me first). It will be useful for you to examine some local magazine theatre advertisements and marketing techniques. You must write a 1 page document in which you explain and justify the design choices you made in the media pieces, indicating how your media pieces promote the vision of the play and attract the desired demographic (audience) to see the play.
Length: the written components for each of the above are 2 – 2 ½ pages, 12 font, 2x spaced (not including diagrams or images) and MUST be in complete, well written paragraphs. Each section should have an introduction and conclusion.
Evaluation
The standard rubrics will be used: Reading and Literature, Writing, Oral Communication and Media. Each student is marked individually.
Press releases should contain only the most important information: Who,What, Why,When, Where
Press Release
March 22, 2004 - for May 25th release / Header, release and embargo date
“Michelangelo’s Models”
by Robert Patrick / What & Who #1
Title of production and author
A romantic comedy set in 1506 Rome. Michelangelo at 33 is the most noted artist in Europe, and must decide what to do with his talent, power, and life. Three older artists (DaVinci, Botticelli, and Bramante), and three beautiful young men (a hustler, prince, and peasant) offer possible “models” for Michelangelo’s future life and loves. Pope Julius II, the painter Raphael, and beautiful Simonetta Vespucci (the model for “The Birth of Venus”), become entangled in the romances and ruses of this Renaissance romp . . . / Why #1
This is your pitch, the play’s content. Titles reveal little. For instance, one would never know that “Vengeance of the Hell-Breath Riders” is a musical comedy. Briefly mention:
genre
main characters
main dramatic conflict
Do not go into plot-point details. Give the main conflicts and plot lines but do not spoil the ending.
Cast includes: C. Rice, C. Powell, H. Kissinger, and special guest A. Greenspan. / Who #2
Cast List
“Patrick has given us the essence of the Renaissance, both its loftiest aspirations and its basest motives, thus making it human and easily integrated.” - Michael’s Thing, New York / Why #2
Reviews, Praise from Others, Awards - These are optional.
Directed by J. Ashcroft and Italian Renaissance scholar M. Buonaroti
Produced by D. H. Rumsfeld,
Presented by Theatre for Indifference / Who #3
Production Personnel
List only top staff.
Play dates: June 4-July 10, 2004
Times: All shows 8pm
Kind Gentle Theater, 1 Bush Blvd., Bagdad, D.C.
Wheelchair accessible
$15; $12 students, seniors, teachers
Contains nudity: adults only
Reservations: xxx-xxx-xxxx / When & Where
Important Data: Date, Time, Place (full address includes street, city and state), Wheelchair Access, Cost, Adult Warning, Box Office
Photo attached: C. Rice (Simonetta), C. Powell (Botticelli)
Photo by George Eastman
More photos at http://web.site.url.com/photos.html / Who #4
People in photos are always listed left-to-right.
Always credit the photographer or poster maker.
Contact Ms. Publicity Maven at Kind Gentle Publicists:
206-xxx-xxxx; ; http://web.site.url.com / Who #5
Contacts for more information.
You know the drill: Always Leave Them Wanting More.