Question
Review all the examples of the NuComm “Win the Connection” project in the DiZazzo text: PNA, content outline, treatment, and script. What observations do you have about how the project progressed? What comments do you have about the changes made along the way? Are you unclear about any part of the process so far?
Example for my Classmate to help you writing the Paper.
After reading the “Win the Connection” PNA, content outline, treatment, and script, I noticed how the project progressed. The PNA was first created. Here, we first learn about “Win the Connection,” but it is not yet known what the story is going to look like. The research information is collected in order to see the best approach for the project. This includes the research identifying the problem (employees are not aware of the Win the Connection program nor the prizes that could be won), the background (NuComm had an unsuccessful referral program in the past and how the company does not want to make the same mistake again), as well as the relationship to company goals (how Win the Connection benefits the company and fits the definition of what they stand for). The PNA also provides information on the audience, the NuComm employees, such as the demographics that make up the majority of employees, as well as what they are interested in (need) and what they already know (experience). The audiences’ attitudes are also examined in order to best target them with an effective program. The information on how the program will be used/distributed for employees to watch is also listed. Overall, this PNA is made to see if the program should be produced, or if a different method (meeting, email, or brochure) can better get the message across instead.
I then read the content outline and saw that the information gathered from the PNA was presented in an organized and structured manner. Although details about the storyline are not yet created, we now have a structure of the main ideas that will be presented in the video. For example, the content outline first introduces what “Win the Connection” is and the prizes it offers. The main points then delve into the different ways to win, who can win, the point value system, and what prizes can be won. Each of these main points have in-depth details. Then the summary is listed and mentions all that was previously covered. Although it provided more detail than needed for the final project, it allows us to see what needs to be covered in order to best reach the audience and get the message across.
I then read the treatment and noticed a scene-by-scene narrative description of the program. We now have an idea of what the story will look like from beginning to end, as well as the characters featured (the officers, Allen Casey, John Crain and Rita Wallace). The introduction, body of main points, and closing from the content outline are incorporated into the creation of the storyline through a humorous approach that will win over the audience effectively. The author uses the officers’ dialogue to explain what Win the Connection is and how the prizes are won.
I then read the script. Instead of being written in a story format like the treatment, the information has been incorporated into scene headings, scene descriptions, and dialogue. The format is screenplay. There are NOTES that give directions to the director, such as “INTERCUT between the sergeant in his office and Crain and Wallace, as appropriate.” The treatment didn’t have these directives. There is also a MUSIC direction, as well as a FADE OUT, at the end that the treatment didn’t include. There was also a change in the script, in which Casey’s identity was revealed at the end, whereas, the treatment showed him in the beginning. The script just uses the officers to talk about him in the beginning, as they are the only characters we see for the first half of the story. This decision was made to surprise fans.
I enjoyed seeing the progression of the “Win the Connection” project because it allowed me to see how it is important to start with as much information as possible and then narrow it down throughout the process. This is better than starting out with limited information and then realizing later on that you do not have the right idea on how to effectively portray the story because you did not learn enough about your audience, topic, background, and problem. Every part of the process was clear to me, as the commentary DiZazzo portrayed underneath explained why certain changes needed to be made in order to clearly sell the message.
