From Story to Production

At this point you have obtained a first draft of the script of the story of your successful participation in the Europa Square Challenge. In this way you have explicitly identified all the key situations, the people who must participate in them and their interactions. You have also implicitly identified the material resources you need and at least the timeline of events. That's all you need to write a simple, yet effective action plan for your Project.

For each scene described in the story, a table like the following one in the example below must be copied and filled. You will get a list of things to do before, during and after each scene. Lists are an elementary tool, but extremely useful because, when it is time to act, you generally don't have time to think and remember what to do. Without the help of a to-do list it is almost inevitable to forget something. Furthermore, the lists are also excellent for checking whether the expected results have been achieved and to facilitate the replicability of the event.

Once again, only the table for the exemplary Scene N.2 is showcased for this tutorial.

Scene N. 2 - Present the project to the students

Checklist 1: Before the Scene

Location: Lecture Hall

What do you have to do to ensure scene location's availability?

Book the Lecture Hall at least 15 days before the event at the Headmaster's Office

Participant: The Dean

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this participant will be there?

Agree on the date of the presentation with the Dean at least 20 days in advance.

Participant: The Fellow Teachers

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this participant will be there?

Collect everyone's availability before meeting the Dean to try to get the most comfortable date for everyone. Inform everyone immediately of the date agreed with the Dean. Make sure everyone marks it on the agenda.

Participant: Students

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this participant will be there?

Post a notice on the school website and on the bulletin board. Have a circular sent to all professors by the Dean at least 15 days before the event. Remember the commitment personally to all colleagues in the previous days.

Resource: Multimedia System

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this resource will be available?

Install and test the presentation material no later than the day before the event together with the technical manager of the Aula Magna. Check operation again one hour before the start of the presentation.

Resource: Video

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this resource will be available?

Check the formats reproducible by the video projection system of the Aula Magna and if the audio is available. Produce videos. It must be available at least two days before the presentation.

Resource: Presentation

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this resource will be available?

Check the presentation application available, its version and the screen size managed by the video projection system. Prepare presentation. It must be available at least two days before the presentation.

Resource: Inspirational Speech

What do you have to do in order to make sure that this resource will be available?

Write and learn your own speech. Prepare an easily readable outline with the essential points to remember. Upload the outline to your tablet or print it out the day before the presentation

Requirement: Technical Support

Which other requirements must be fulfilled in order to make the scene develop the right way?

Make sure the technician is present in the Lecture Hall during the event.

Checklist 2: During the Scene

Location: Lecture Hall

List here all that you are supposed to do to set up the location at the beginning of the scene

Check the operation of the playback system. In particular, try switching the audio between different sources during the presentation (microphones, video output from the computer, etc ...). Locate video and presentation. Try them again and set them up for playback.

Participant: The Dean

How do you expect to interact with this participant during the Scene?

Thank you the Dean privately for her support. Give her the word first for an initial greeting. Publicly thank you for your support at the end of the intervention. The Dean must leave the event convinced that the project is useful for students and aware that their support for the initiative is recognized and appreciated.

Participant: The Fellow Teachers

How do you expect to interact with this participant during the Scene?

Name and publicly thank all colleagues who participate. If possible, keep them on stage all the time. Pass the word on to each of your colleagues at the end of your talk. Thank them again at the end of the event. The Fellow Teachers must leave the event with a strengthened team spirit.

Participant: The Enthusiast Students

How do you expect to interact with this participant during the Scene?

Challenge students to participate in an original project, which will allow them to deal with realities from all over Europe and will give great visibility to their work, if they are good. Transmitting a sense of enthusiasm and energy with the voice and body language. Identify students who react positively, meet their gaze, smile at them, connect emotionally. The aim of the event is to bring out at least 20 curious and highly motivated students from the crowd.

Participant: The "I don't care" Students

How do you expect to interact with this participant during the Scene?

They are not the target of this initiative. Make sure they do not disturb during the presentation and compromise the attention of others.

Resource: Video

How are you supposed to use this resource during the scene?

A very short emotional video of a maximum of 1 minute, which should serve to intrigue students potentially interested in the new, culture, digital technologies and Europe. To be used at the beginning of the intervention.

Resource: Presentation

How are you supposed to use this resource during the scene?

A maximum of 5 slides to explain students what, when, how to join and how long it takes.

Resource: Inspirational Speech

How are you supposed to use this resource during the scene?

Motivational speech that must make you understand why it is important, useful and rewarding to participate in the Europa Square Challenge.

Additional notes

List here everything else you should do or remember during the scene

The event must last a maximum of 45 minutes. Use a stopwatch to check that everyone is keeping to the times.

Checklist 3: After the Scene

Location: Lecture Hall

List here all that you are supposed to do when you leave the location at the end of the scene

Delete the files from your computer after the presentation ends.

Participant: Dean

Which was the reaction by this participant? Was it the one you aimed for? This section must be filled after the event.

The Dean was very supportive. It is a good sign. Now it is important to follow up.

Participant: Fellow Teachers

Which was the reaction by this participant? Was it the one you aimed for? This section must be filled after the event.

All of them but for the Math prof put a lot of enthusiasm in their short presentation. It is advised to talk with her to check whether she has some specific concern.

Participant: Enthusiast Students

Which was the reaction by this participant? Was it the one you aimed for? This section must be filled after the event.

As expected some students were thrilled. They have to be enrolled immediately, before the enthusiasm fades away.

Resource: Video and Presentation

Is there something special that you are supposed to do with this resource when you leave the location at the end of the Scene?

Publish video and presentation on the school website

Additional notes

List here everything else you should do or remember at the end of the scene

Remind everyone that the collection of memberships will start from the next day.