MTV’s the Banks of the CONGO

In an effort to follow up the smashing success of Jersey Shore, MTV has come up with a novel new concept – aim the same show at more than one demographic. Top executives at the network have zeroed in on – inexplicably – The History Channel.

That’s right. They want to make a show that pulls away History Channel viewers while also attracting the Jersey Shore crowd. Hence, they have come up with the concept for MTV’s the Banks of the CONGO .

MTV’s the Banks of the CONGO is going to involve the following plot: Five people are put on a boat traveling up the Congo River. Thanks to advancements in corpse reanimation and time-travel (don’t ask; it’s a long, complicated, macabre story) the show is going to take place in the era of New Imperialism and feature five people that are sure to attract viewers: David Livingstone, King Leopold II, E.D. Morel, Henry Morton Stanley, and Cecil Rhodes. In the pilot episode, this quintet will travel through a number of stops along the river that show the effects of imperialism on the people of Africa.

Where do you come in? You’re going to write the script for the pilot episode. It may sound complicated, but you’ve got a head start: the network has already picked out the setting in advance. The group has five stops to make along the Congo River: The Docks, Outer Station, Central Station, Inner Station, and Sepulchral City. At each of these, they will be met with a scene of workers in the Congo, or with people to talk to. You already know the personalities of the characters, so it won’t be hard for you to hash out the dialogue for them.

Your guidelines are on the back. Remember, this is the pilot episode, so the network’s counting on you to make itgood. They think we could go a long way with the show.

Objective:

  • Create a TV pilot that will grab viewers, but also educate people about the contents of King Leopold’s Ghost.
  • Demonstrate your learning by illustrating the personality and characteristics of major players from the book

Preparation:

  • You and your group will read the selections from Heart of Darkness describing the five stops.
  • As a group, view the sample script to understand how the product should look.
  • Create the script itself for your version of MTV’s the Banks of the CONGO.

Requirements for final product:

  • Script must feature all members in dialogue about the river. (Adding other characters from the book wouldn’t hurt, either.)
  • Each member must speak at each stop.
  • Dialogue should reflect speaker’s view on imperialism, White Man’s Burden, superiority, morality, etc.
  • At least three lines from each person in the script must be direct quotes from the character.
  • The pilot episode may be filmed and brought in on dvd or flash drive, or may be performed live.

Creativity:

  • You need to make this a reality show. These characters have major differences and similarities, and they might like or hate other characters. Use these characteristics to further their interactions. Feel free to throw in reality TV tactics (the camera catching people off-guard in a side scene; a confessional-type situation; at a meal…the list goes on)

Grading:

  • You will be put graded on the following:
  • Each of the five characters’ personalities in the episode
  • Connections to the material in K.L.G. for each stop
  • Dialogue smoothness (does it sound like a conversation, or like you’re just jamming historical facts into their mouths?)
  • Well-performed, acted and put together
  • Creativity
  • Spelling/Grammar