Michaelle Bond- Final Project Proposal

Operation: Best Day Ever
By: Michaelle Bond 10/9/09

Topic: A group of University of Maryland students has decided to make every Tuesday the “best day ever,” by holding informal pep rallies on campus. The students hold inspirational signs and give passersby high fives, all while enthusiastically telling them to have the best day ever. The students hope to brighten the days of students, staff and anyone else walking by. “Operation: Best Day Ever” began on Sept. 22 and occurs during lunchtime. The students want to start a Maryland tradition.
Relevance: Many people have seen this group of students on campus and may be curious about the origins of the event. This topic directly affects students, because the group was made to affect students and is made of students.
Audience: This story will appeal to University of Maryland students who have encountered the group and want to learn more about them. It will also appeal to students who have never encountered or heard of the group and might want to see them.
Photography Subjects: I will photograph Teddy Powers, the group founder; Corie Stretton, a group member who has been at the event every week; other group members; and students who encounter the group.
Previous Coverage: There has been no previous coverage of this ongoing event.
Elements of Finished Story: The finished story will include sound bites of the group’s inspirational phrases and students’ reactions to the group. It will include sound bites of Powers explaining his idea and its origin, as well as students explaining their reasons for joining the group. The package will also include video of the group holding their signs and attempting to bring smiles to the faces of passersby.
Location: The group assembles outside of the South Campus Diner, which is a public place. Therefore, there will be no access problems.
Time Restraints: This event happens once a week, so I will probably need several weeks to get the video, audio and photographs I need. I can get sound bites of the founder in between Tuesdays, also. I will then need several days for post-production.
Run date: The run date can vary, since this event occurs every week. However, sooner rather than later would be preferred, since the event could get old to some people after a while.
Cost: No monetary cost is associated with this story. No special equipment is needed. Since the event takes place during lunchtime, I can work on the story during my lunch break, so no one needs to fill in for me. I will not need help working on the story.
Word Reporter Needed?: No word reporter is needed. This is a visual story and is more interesting when it is experienced first-hand in the form of a multi-media package.
Types of Media Incorporated: Audio will be used, so members of the audience can experience the event like they are actually there. Photographs taken in unusual ways will give the audience new perspectives of the event. Video will set the scene for the audience and give them a more wider-range look at the event.