Week 12: One-Minute Short Sprint – Group Project

To Do This Week

DUE: Profile Final Cut

Rough Cut Job Profile

Final Cut Job Profile

One-Minute Short (Group Project) (25%)

Goal: You have 3 weeks to conceive, shoot, and finish a complete one-minute film (exactly 00:60:00, including titles). This sprint introduces you to fast, collaborative storytelling.

Each student will contribute to concept development, scripting, and editing, and submit their own version of the final cut. The stages include:

Group Participation (5%): Demonstrate active involvement in concept development, shooting, and critique sessions.
Script and Storyboard (5%): Individually develop a script and storyboard that reflects your interpretation of the group’s concept.
Final Cut (15%): Edit your own version of the film, reflecting personal creative choices and group feedback. Submit alongside script and storyboard.

This assignment emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving, while still allowing space for individual creativity and voice.

One-Minute Short Examples

One Minute Short Project Overview (20%)

Due: Rough Cut 12/3, Final Cut 12/10

This project involves small groups of 3–4 students who collectively write, storyboard, shoot, and edit a short fictional video. Each student posts to the blog their own edited one-minute version and a link to their original script (Google Doc).

Step 1: Story Development

Discuss resources, props, and locations to inspire ideas – choose a story with a twist or clear visual hook.
Decide group roles and tasks: writing, storyboarding, performing, videography, sound, effects.
Each student writes a 1–2 page properly formatted script and sketches a storyboard.
Keep dialogue minimal; focus on visual storytelling (one page ≈ one minute).
Group revises and approves a final script and storyboard by consensus.
You may use AI for any aspect of the process (idea generation, storyboarding, sound, VFX) but at least 60% of the footage must be live-action.

Step 2: Production Planning

Define your visual style – lighting, costume, composition, and tone.
Organize locations, props, and performers; secure permissions if needed.
Assign crew roles or rotate responsibilities during shooting.
Set production dates and shoot times efficiently.

Step 3: Editing & Submission

Each student edits their own version of the group film (video, sound, music, credits).
Upload rough cut to YouTube or Vimeo and post to Slack and submit to Canvas along with a PDF of your original script and storyboard.
In-class peer feedback on rough cuts → then submit Final Cut post with revisions.

Tips for a 1-Minute Story

One location, 1-3 characters max.
Trim setup and resolution – start late, end early.
Let visuals carry exposition; minimize dialogue.
Maintain clarity – every shot must advance the story or emotion.