Project 4.1.3 Aerospace Infomercial

Introduction

Have you ever seen an infomercial for exercise equipment, kitchen appliances, diet plans or hair replacement therapy? The word infomercial is formed by combining the words information and commercial. An infomercial generally combines information about a product and a promotional commercial. An infomercial is often referred to as paid programming. Infomercials can be viewed on television and through the Internet.

Nike, Verizon, GM, Chrysler,and many other companies are adopting video advertising and placing video ads in such places as You Tube. In fact it is estimated that $3 billion was spent ononline video advertising in 2009.

Once a concept or script is written for a film, commercial, or infomercial, the next step is to create a storyboard. A storyboard visually tells a story panel by panel, much like a comic book. A storyboard conveys the following information:

  • What characters are in the frame and how are they moving?
  • What, if anything, are the characters saying to each other?
  • How much time has passed between the last frame of the storyboard and the current one?
  • Where is the camera in the scene? Close or far away? Is the camera moving?

In this project your team will create an infomercial to inform the audience about your aerospace vehicle.

Equipment

  • Gateway notebook
  • Pencil
  • Sketch paper
  • Storyboard forms
  • Video camcorder and blank video tapes or digital video clips
  • Camera tripod, external microphone, studio lights (optional), or computer microphone
  • Computer with word processing software or presentation software
  • Video editing software (optional)
  • Model-making materials or 3D software to illustrate a futuristic aerospace vehicle
  • Costumes, video set, sound effects CD (optional)

Procedure

You will use the information gathered in your research and your aerospacevehicle video clip to produce an infomercial. You will complete Activity 4.1.2Flying Machinesbefore starting this activity.

Your infomercial may be an Internet recording similar to what you might see on the computer or a video similar to what you might see on television. The purpose of your infomercial is to inform the audience about the advantages and characteristics of your futuristic aerospace vehicle. The infomercial message must compare an existing or historical aerospace vehicle with your idea of what might be possible in the future. Video clips from Activity 4.1.2should be used in the production of your infomercial. Each team will show its completed infomercial to the entire class. It will be evaluated by your peers. The infomercial must follow these basic guidelines:

  • An Aerospace Infomercial Storyboard must be completed and reviewed by your teacher.
  • The infomercial must be 2-3 minutes long.
  • The infomercial message must compare an existing or historical aerospace vehicle with your idea of what might be possible in the future.
  • The information on existing or historical vehicles presented must be accurate.
  • The idea for a futuristic aerospace vehicle may be based on possible advanced technology or science fiction.
  • The talent (i.e., individuals on camera) must follow the school dress code.
  • Language, gestures, and music must be school-appropriate.
  • Costumes can be worn with teacher approval (optional).

You and your team memberswill prepare the infomercial. The following steps will help you create your infomercial:

  1. Ask a team member to record ideas as you and your team brainstorm ideas for the infomercial.
  2. Work as a team to list the most important facts that you discovered during your research.Answer the following questions as you collect your information:
  • When was the aerospace vehicle invented?
  • Who invented it?
  • What isthe vehicle’s history?
  • What was the vehicle’s purpose? Was it used to carry individuals or equipment?
  • Did it fly successfully? If so, how long before it was operative?
  • What technology was necessary in order for this aerospace vehicle to be functional?
  • What were some of the challenges the inventor faced while designing the vehicle?
  1. Decide on a format for the infomercial. You may copy the basic format of an existing infomercial and replace the dialogue (i.e., what people say) with the facts about your aerospace vehicle.
  2. Use one of the facts to create a slogan that describes your aerospace vehicle. Some slogans for existing products include:

“It’s the real thing.”

“Poppin’ fresh.”

  1. Use the slogan two or three times in your infomercial.
  2. Select another fact or combination of facts to create a jingle about your vehicle. Jingles are short, catchy songs that promote a product (Optional: You may want to ask your music teacher for help).
  3. Evaluate the video clip recorded in Activity 4.1.2 Flying Machines.
  4. Organize the facts, slogan, jingle, and video clip into a script for your infomercial.Usea storyboard to organize the infomercial.
  5. Rehearse (practice) your infomercial and adjust the content to a length of 2-3 minutes.
  6. Record the infomercial.
  7. Re-tape the infomercial as needed to make improvements.
  8. Accurately label the tape to prevent other teams from accidentally recording over your material.
  9. Save the tape to show to the entire class. Prepare your journal and engineering notebook entries for the final evaluation of your project.

Conclusion

  1. What radio or televisioninfomercials are most memorable to you? Explain why.
  1. During the making of your infomercial, what information did you need to know about your aerospace vehicle?
  1. If given a chance to re-create your infomercial, what would you do differently during the research and flight tests of the vehicle in order to improve the development of your infomercial?
  1. Why do you think radio and television stations play so many infomercial messages?
  1. Why is it necessary to have a script before recording?

© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

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