PRODUCTION THESIS REOUIREMENTS
Directing/Production

To complete the thesis requirements in Directing/Production you must successfully produce/direct a 20 to 30 minute video program. You, the director, must have complete creative control in the processes of production and it must be your vision that determines its aesthetic definition.
Any student who is not prepared to complete his or her thesis during his/her third
semester will be required to complete it during the following semester, registered as a continuing student.

Concept/Proposal :
Proposal should include:
Title (Working Title is acceptable.)
Concept (What is this video about?)
Personal Objectives (Why did you chose this project? What does it mean to
you?)
Program Objectives (What is the purpose of your program? What
would you like to accomplish through the program? Who is your intended audience?)
Background Information (The facts that are relevant to understanding your
concept. This section should give evidence that you have conducted adequate research. This section should, also, demonstrate the feasibility of the production: Do you have the cooperation of key personnel and are all required elements available and accessible? )
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
-Is the concept "good?" (Does it "illuminate dark comers?")
-Is the concept original? Imaginative?
-Is the concept presented clearly and persuasively?
-Is the concept feasible?
-Is the concept visually interesting?
-Will the program be between 15 and 30 minutes long?

PRODUCTION THESIS REQUIREMENTS -PAGE 2

Scripting: (6 -8 weeks)
Treatment (Including Scene Descriptions, Program Elements, Format
and Design Statement.)
Scene Outline
Script/Shooting Script
Production Planning and Schedule: (1 week)
Dates
Technical Requirements
Location Surveys
Script Breakdown (for fiction productions)
Crew Support
Interview Subjects and Questions (for non-fiction productions)
Subject Availability (for non-fiction productions)
Contingencies/Backups; Rain dates/Covers
(SHOOTING CARDS WILL NOT BE SIGNED UNTIL THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED.)

Shooting ( 3-6 weeks)
*Documentary projects will likely take longer and are often shot over the summer.

Post Production Preparation (1 week)
Dubbing Logging
Transcriptions (for non-fiction productions)
Paper Edit
(EDITING ACCESS WILL NOT BE GRANTED UNTIL THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED.)
Editing (40 -60 Hours)
Rough (2 -3 weeks)
Fine (2 -3 weeks)
Audio (1 -2 weeks):
Narration
Music
SFX
Mix
Video Mix (1 week)
Dissolves/wipes
Titles/Credits/Lower 1/3's
Freezes and Special Effects
Color correction
Graphics

PRODUCTION THESIS REQUIREMENTS -PAGE 3
Production Book, including:
1. Master Scene Script (Fiction)
2. Shooting Script, Storyboard (Fiction) or Shot and Sound List (Non Fiction)
3. List of Interview Subjects (Non Fiction)
4. List of Interview questions (Non Fiction)
5. All written correspondence
6. Technical requisitions
7. Releases
8. Contracts
9. Schedules -Pre-Production, Production and Post Production
10. Floor Plans and Lighting Plots
11. Location Survey Information
12. Record of actual equipment and facilities use
13. Budget and actual costs (both "professional" and "in-house"); Receipts
14. Rights information -music, stock footage, props, stills, etc.
15. Transcripts (non-fiction)
16. Camera Logs
17. Edit Plans -Paper Edit
18. Reference Materials
19. Evaluation of the completed Video Program: What is your detailed appraisal of
your video? What are its strengths and weaknesses? How do you evaluate it conceptually? Aesthetically? Technically? Be as objective as possible. Give a detailed appraisal of the video and audio elements of the program including videography, lighting, audio, music, performances, editing, and graphics. Does your video tell a clear, coherent and compelling story?
20. Evaluation of Production and Self, as Producer: How would you evaluate the overall production process? What successes did you have and what problems did you encounter? How do you evaluate yourself as a producer? Did you perform professionally? Which of your strengths became evident and served you well during production? What weaknesses do you have to work on? What did you learn about yourself during this process and what did you learn about producing? Include your abilities in conceptualizing, relating to your crew, organization, energy, resourcefulness and leadership.
Reminder: Any unacknowledged use of another person's work, in writing, audio or video constitutes plagiarism and is deemed a most serious breach of the academic code of Boston University.

PRODUCTION THESIS REQUIREMENTS -PAGE 4
VIDEO TAPE REQUlREMEN1S
1. Labels on Box and Tape must be neat and clear and must contain the following: Title
Producer's Name Director's Name
Date
Length (00:00)
"Master," "Dub," ...Designation
Audio Track Information
2. Color Bars at head of tape…01:00
Black………………………00:10
Slate……………………….00:10
"THESIS"
Title
Producer/Director
Date
Length
Countdown from "10"……00:10
3. Final Credit to read:
Produced at
Boston University's
College of Communication
Directing/Production Thesis Evaluations will be based on the following criteria:
1. CONTENT(40%)
Clarity and Organization
Thoughtfulness/Integrity of Purpose
Imagination/Originality
2. EXECUTION (40%)
Production
Lighting
Camera Audio
Editing
3. PRODUCTION BOOK (20%)