Blog #19

As project manager I have been working with various groups to check in with them and see if they need any help. Along with that I have been doing my own work to help keep the project organized and on task.

One piece of work that I have contributed to is the goals list. Each week myself, along with the production managers, meets with each student individually to find out what their goals are for the week and what they worked on the previous week to complete their previous goal. This ensures that everyone knows what specifically they need to be working on for the week and how that will help contribute to the final play. Some of the groups didn't know what they should be doing and this also allowed them to figure out what they can do to ensure they are being productive.

Here is a shot of the goals list, which is also a google document that the whole class is able to view.

Another piece of work that I have helped with is the Kickstarter page. I read over and edited the project description that will be on the page. I made some edits to ensure the description wasconcise and to the point, making it clear as to what our project is and what we need. This is a huge part of our production because we want people to come to our play and also raise money in order to have more materials to create an even greater play. The sooner this page gets done, the sooner the marketing and CFO teams can work on other ways to raise money and get our name out there.

Here is the project description for Kickstarter.

What We Are Doing?
We are creating an original theatrical play by High Tech High Media Arts. This project is written, directed, performed, marketed, designed, and managed by students. We have a class budget of $1,000 to split between two classes. Our goal is to get $2,000 for each class which makes our Kickstarter goal to raise $4,000 to help make this play come alive. We are creating our own movable sets, which will take both time and money. We are performing at a professional theater stage where Broadway shows have performed. We have read and analyzed two of the best play Hamlet and Rosencrantz  & Guildenstern Are Dead to come up with ideas and to see what makes a great play, one of which has lasted for over 400 years. We are documenting the whole process in multiple forms. We will have a short documentary that will showcase the entire process, from the ideas to the big stage. We need the equipment to do so and would love to have more equipment. We will also be creating a book of the play that will be available for sale along with the documentary. When you walk in the door you will receive a playbill, to describe what will be going on.

Lastly I have also been working on the script with the writers. I have been talking to Jovan out of class and making small edits here and there and little tweaks that I have found that would. I think it's important to help with the script because without it we have nothing. I know the writers can be very overwhelmed because it is a huge task and so many people have opinions. I have tried to not only make sure people are mindful of the hard work the writers are doing, but also trying to help them when I can. That could be through character development, plot holes, or subtle changes in the script. But I have been working very closely with them to follow their progress to make sure the script is on schedule and they aren't feeling overwhelmed.

Here is a page of the script in which I made a suggestion to have Vincent and Grant talk to each other like real friends would and ask questions to get more into the story. Originally Grant asked Vincent, what's up. I thought that was too vague of a question and didn't reveal anything about the story. But in asking already started, it shows that Grant knows what Vincent does and Vincent opens the store.

GRANT
Good morning Vincent. Already started?

VINCENT
Hey, not yet. Aren’t you usually here by now?

GRANT
Yeah, sorry.  Traffic was terrible. All these cars out today.

VINCENT
I thought you walk?

GRANT
I do. But it’s hard to j-walk with all of the cars in the road. So many questions! Geez, I need some coffee before I do this! What’re you writing?