English Career Resources

Key Stage 3: Who do you think you are? A personal journey...

Assignment

Part two: videoing an audition for 'Who do you think you are?'

Interviews and auditions

What is an audition for?

Consider the difference between an interview and an audition. In pairs improvise a 1-minute interview with a star of your choice:

• Prepare questions and answers together
• Take it in turns to be the star and the reporter

You may volunteer to show the rest of the class what you have done.


Now you are going to make a video audition for a new reality show 'Who do you think you are?'

Before you start watch a screening of a selection of Big Brother auditions and listen carefully to Davina's advice.

http://www.channel4.com/bigbrother/bb-10-auditions/
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gP4x0RF3ac

What makes a good audition?

Davina says it's good if:

• It grabs you in first 10 secs (costumes? Music?)
• you're 'on a journey'
• you're honest
• you're entertaining
• you involve the audience and share with them

Which do you think is most important?
Order them 1-5: most important 1...

Make notes for your log about anything you see which you think is particularly effective, or you would like to avoid

Audition Production

Work in groups of three for this activity.

• One to film
• One to appear on screen and perform
• One to direct and produce

(each of you can take a turn to audition if you want to)

You need to convince the audience that they want to see more of you

Planning and pre-production

• Make sure you complete the Planning and Pre-production check-list (PDF). You will need to show this to your teacher and discuss it before you go to production.
  
• When it has been agreed, make an action plan to help you to be ready for filming.
  
• Video your audition.

Post production

If you have the facilities, you can now:

• edit your audition
• add blue screen, if you have the technology
• add sound and/or captions

Keep a record of your decisions and how you feel about the process. Think about the following:

• How do you come over?
• How could you improve?
• What advice would you give anyone making an audition?

Class screening and plenary

Share your auditions with the class and discuss how they differ.
What have you learned about the process, about yourself?
Review your original profile and comment.