Universal Studios Hollywood - Lesson Plans

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
SM
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY
Grades 8 to 12
CALIFORNIA STATE STANDARDS
English-Language Arts Content Standards Grades 8-12; Writing: Focus Standard – 1.0
Writing Strategies 8 – 1.4, 1.6; 9-10 – 1.5, 1.9; 11-12 – 1.1, 1.9 Focus Standard – 2.0
Writing Applications 8–12 - 2.5
DURATION
INTO SEGMENT:
Teacher’s Discretion (1-2 Days)
THROUGH SEGMENT:
Universal Studios Hollywood visit (1 Day)
BEYOND SEGMENT:
Teacher’s Discretion (1-2 Days)
OBJECTIVE
Student research and prepare a mock resume for a career in the entertainment industry.
PROPS NEEDED
Materials:
Career Profile Activity Sheet – page 3
Career Profiles – Universal Studios Hollywood Activity Sheet – page 4
Studio Departments Activity Sheet – page 5
PREPRODUCTION
Building A Resume
INTO ACTIVITY
Students view a sample resume. Discuss each section of the resume, and the necessity for a brief,
precise presentation of employment information. A suggested resume format is shown on the Career
Profile Activity page 3.
Students review the Universal Studios Hollywood Career Profiles Information Sheet page 4, relating
to careers in the entertainment industry. Note the training required, previous job experience, related
positions held and studies needed to develop skills for these careers. Students select an interesting
career to research and construct their own mock resume.
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
PGPG1 1ofof5 1
INDUSTRY
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
SM
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY
Continued...
Grades 8 to 12
AND ACTION
THROUGH ACTIVITY
At Universal Studios Hollywood
SM
Students visit attractions and performances illustrating the career chosen for research. Students
note examples of the performances, special effects, sound effects and related aspects to the career
selected.
Classroom Assignment
Students reread the Career Profiles at Universal Studios Hollywood page 4 and review the sample
resume. Using the research collected on the field trip to Universal Studios, students construct a mock
resume for their selected career. Each resume is submitted for approval by the employer (teacher).
IT’S A WRAP
BEYOND ACTIVITY
Students research other careers in the entertainment industry. In addition, students research schools
and universities with curriculum directed toward this industry. Collect brochures on college requirement
information courses of study and majors relating to the entertainment field. Students organize an
educational and work experience plan to prepare for a career in the entertainment industry.
Students create a photographic portfolio of examples of their entertainment career selected using
photos taken at Universal Studios Hollywood. Students submit this portfolio to the teacher along with
their mock resume.
ASSESS STUDENTS
Measure your students understanding of the subject.
Suggested Methods: Questions & Answers among the students. Students write a paragraph describing their
trip, written test, verbal report, team assessment report.
CRITIC’S TABLE
EVALUATION
Review and evaluate your students success in meeting the objectives for this lesson.
BONUS MATERIALS
Select different industries and have students outline the various careers available within each one.
Lesson
LessonPlan
Plan
CAREERS
CAREERSIN
INTHE
THE
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
2 2of
5 55
INDUSTRY
PG
2 of
of
INDUSTRY PGPG
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
SM
CAREER PROFILE ACTIVITY
esume
R
k
c
o
M
e
Sampl
Name
Address
Zip Code
City, State
Number
nd Phone
a
e
d
o
C
a
Are
ectivel(s:). One sentence or two only.
j
b
O
r
e
e
r
goa
Ca
rall career
ove
State your
ence:
i
r
e
p
x
E
b
Jo
oals.
to career g
ample:
rk first; ex
o
w
t
n
e
rr
u
d
tc
Work relate
h the mos
sented wit
re
p
is
e
c
n
e
Job experi
ood
ios Hollyw
ersal Stud
iv
n
U
,
n
o
Stunt pers
ow
d Stunt Sh
Waterworl
City, CA
Universal
s
ocal Stable
structor, L
in
g
in
d
ri
k
Horsebac
e
h, CA
s you hav
Chatswort
e position
d
lu
c
in
o
o
s
g. Als
id job r
re applyin
lude unpa
a
c
u
In
o
uld
y.
y
it
h
il
ic
ib
pons
ection sho
for wh
als. This s
ce and res
o
to the job
n
g
e
d
r
ri
e
te
e
re
p
la
a
x
c
re
e
.
y,
our
List work
nce to date
ur reliabilit
relate to y
inforce yo
leted that
job experie
p
r
re
u
m
t
o
o
a
y
c
th
f
e
o
v
ld
n
a
he
ptio
you h
erall descri
positions
reading ov
k
apprentice
ic
u
q
,
e
extensiv
contain an
nd any
rkshops a
o
w
,
ls
o
o
h
sc
cademies,
s well as a
a
,
d
e
d
n
e
ave att
ities you h
List univers
ring.
private tuto
2004
2003
and Train
n
o
i
t
a
c
u
d
E
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
PG 3 of 5
INDUSTRY
ing:
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
SM
CAREER PROFILES
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
Special Effects Coordinator
The special effects coordinator uses realism to create an
illusion. Special effects personnel work with explosives, models,
pyrotechnics, lighting, and computer-enhanced imagery. Special
effects coordinators should have a technological background
with computer knowledge and programming. In addition,
coordinators need an education in theater arts and a two year
training course conducted by the State of California concerning
the use of pyrotechnics.
Sound Stage Manager
The sound stage manager is responsible for the sound effects
presented during live performances. The sound stage manager
produces sound effects that enhance existing sounds or
creates new ones for a scene. During live performances, the
stage manager mics actors, plays recorded sound effects, and
uses a keyboard to establish a clear sound level. The keyboard
also produces other sounds such as drums, chimes, blasts,
horns, etc. Sound stage managers require at least three years
experience working at recording studios, sound companies, or
apprentice positions with other sound stage managers.
Working with sound equipment used by a band or recording
studio is excellent reparation for a sound stage manager.
Make-up and Hair Styling Artist
Make-up and hair styling artists need to take courses at
specific technical colleges. Schools such as the West Valley
Occupational College have courses, apprentice programs, and
placement departments for this career objective. This career
also requires an interest in theater arts and drama. Working in
high school and local college productions allows for experience
in these areas of interest. Schools of cosmetology offer
courses in make-up and hair styling. Future artists work
without pay on university films in order to gain experience
applying make-up for different mediums including film,
television, stage and photography. Artists should study
characters and learn how to apply make-up using the correct
application for each medium. Furthermore, make-up and hair
styling artists must read and evaluate scripts to develop a
unique look for each character.
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
PG 4 of 5
INDUSTRY
Stunt Person
Contrary to popular beliefs, stunt people are not dare-devils or
thrill-seekers. Stunt people are highly organized, capable,
safety-conscious people. They have good overall athletic ability,
dramatic skills, and demanding stage presence. Stunt people
excel in sports such as gymnastics, wrestling, diving and water
sports, karate, kendo, horseback riding, and sword play. A
semester of training in stage fighting is also required. Along
with all the physical skills, a good stunt person should have a
solid education. Listening and discipline are two essential skills
needed to become a stunt person whose life and those of
others on the set rely on these skills. Theater arts experience is
helpful for dramatic readings. A stunt person calculates risks
with a knowledge of safety measures and mimics moves
needed for a particular effect. Stunt work requires a selfimposed training program involving body-building and a study
of physiology. Finally, stunt work is not for show-offs!
Performing Artist
A working performing artist must have self-confidence and a
high level of self-esteem. High school and college productions
are good practice grounds for the performing artist. Training at
universities, dance studios, drama classes, and with vocal
coaches are important means to becoming a talented
performing artist. Experience needed to advance this career
includes working in reviews, commercials, videos, live shows,
crew work, bands, student films and musical theater.
Performing artists should be able to sight read music, research
characters for parts, perform creative cold readings, and
memorize lyrics, scripts, and dance steps. In addition,
performing artists must have good reading and listening skills.
Making audio and video tapes of your own performances is an
excellent type of resume for this career. Most importantly, learn
to accept criticism.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
SM
STUDIO DEPARTMENTS
The following departments are actively involved
in the making of a motion picture or television show through
pre-production, production, and post-production phases.
Story
Responsible for locating and buying written material
including scripts and story ideas. Materials are usually
submitted through authorized literary agents for legal
reasons.
Research
This department catalogs and files research material
obtained from various sources. When working on a show
set in another era or country, the Research Department
provides material to the production to ensure accuracy of
information (historical and otherwise).
Casting
A casting director analyzes a script for casting purposes
while keeping in mind the allotted budget for talent.
The casting director must be aware of the size of a
particular role in proportion to the amount of money
to be spent for a performer then make suggestions to
the producer accordingly. Universal Casting is divided
into Features and Television with one casting director
assigned to a specific show.
Production
The Production Department is responsible for breaking
down a script in terms of location, cost, time, and cast.
From this breakdown, work orders issued to other
departments and a shooting schedule is developed.
Art
The Art Department is responsible for all sets including
the design, development, and dressing.
Property
The Property Department is responsible for interior and
exterior set decorations and props.
Greens Department
The Greens Department is responsible for supplying and
maintaining foliage such as trees, vines, plants and grass
for soundstage, backlot, and locations sets.
Electrical
Furnishes all power to the studio and is responsible for
preparing all electrical and lighting equipment on sets.
Lesson Plan
CAREERS IN THE
ENTERTAINMENT
PG 5 of 5
INDUSTRY
Grip
The Grip Department relies on skilled workers to erect sets,
lights, and backings used on a stage. In addition, grips move
cameras, shade lights with large screens called gobos, handle
reflector boards and move stage walls.
Camera
The Camera Department is responsible for supplying and
preparing all film, and special photographic equipment and
materials.
Special Effects
The Special Effects Department is responsible for creating
explosions, fires and mechanical effects.
Wardrobe
The Wardrobe Department is responsible for designing and
building costumes. A costume designer reads a script and
determines the different costumes that will be needed for
each character. The costume designer then develops sketches
of costumes, designates material to be used, and supervises
the fitting and assembly of the costumes.
Make-Up
The Make-Up Department is responsible for the creation of
special make-up effects and for the application of make-up.
Sound
The Sound Department is responsible for supplying recording
equipment to the various productions. This department also
supervises the editing of dialogue, sound effects and music.
Marketing
The Marketing Department is responsible for all aspects of
“selling” a motion picture or television product including
advertising, promotions and publicity.
Editorial
The major function of the Editorial Department is to combine
all of the essentials necessary for the completion of a motion
picture or television show which includes editing film or video
tape, matching dialogue and adding music and sound effects.