DECIDE ON A THEME
The theme of a well produced awards show should have all the excitement and production values af an Academy Awards Show or a Grammies. The Awards show not only rewards individuals for their productivity but also creates excitement and incentive. An exciting show inspires everyone in the organization!

WRITE THE SCRIPT
This is a task shared by the Awards Committee, the Production Assistant, the A/V Director and the Producer. In some cases a professional script writer may be necessary, particularly if the show has a high comedy or theatrical content. The script in its final draft will be the bible for the actual event containing all the A/V, lighting and sound cues as well as stage directions and "copy" to be spoken by presenters.

DESIGN THE EVENT
Now that we have a theme and script, it is time for the designers to complete design elements.
* The LOGO - to appear on invitations, programs, A/V projections.
* The DECOR - for the reception room, the main room and the table centres.
* The SET - the stage upon which the presentations will take place.
* The AWARD - the actual presentation.

THE LIGHTING PACKAGE
A modern, exciting lighting package is the single most important element, other than talent, in creating a professional and exhilarating evening. State of the art robotic spot lights, follow spots, pattern generators, projections, marquis lights and chasers plus special effects such as smoke, and indoor fireworks are combined to create fabulous theatrical climaxes.

CASTING
A really slick Awards Show has one main Host/MC, usually a celebrity or professional MC
and several additional Presenters garnered from the organization's ranks, customers, politicians, show business personalities, comic actors etc. The Award Show is broken up with additional Entertainment. Some highly successful entertainment elements are; Dance Production Numbers ("Masquerade" from Phantom of the Opera), Musical Theatre Performers, Variety Acts, Pop Singers, Improv actors and Theatresports teams. Additional entertainment is utilized during the reception, during dinner and after the show for dancing.

THE AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION
The A/V Presentation is prepared by the Award Committee in conjunction with a professional company the specializes in live A/V. The presentation runs concurrently with the live Awards Show under the direction of the producer. The A/V may be still photos of the recipients at work and play, highlights of previous years presentations, video taken at the office Xmas party, incentive or promotional tapes etc. In addition a separate director can co-ordinate a live multi-camera shoot projected simultaneously on giant screens and recorded for posterity to be edited for next year's event.

MUSIC
Each recipient of an award is supported by "chaser" music, either from a live orchestra or pre-recorded, on his or her walk to the stage. The producer also co-ordinates fanfares, comic stings, opening overtures, closing music and appropriate "source" music to enhance the flow of the show.

SAMPLE AWARD SHOW

THE THEME
Hollywood in the 30's, after prohibition and at the peak of its glamour. The biggest stars are Fairbanks, Gish, Garbo and Fred Astaire. The productions are unbelievably opulent, Busby Berkley and the water queen Ester Williams. Most of the world is in desperate depression but
the stars of Hollywood are living in a free-wheeling luxury never again to be experienced......until now!.....AWARD BANQUET 1997.

THE RECEPTION
The guests arrive directly to the reception area. They are confronted with a colourful entrance composed of balloons and lighting effects creating the event logo. Once through the entrance, the foyer is decorated like the Brown Derby Restaurant at Hollywood and Vine. They are greeted by comic actors portraying the great comedy characters of Hollywood; Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Keystone Kops etc. A piano player plays lively silent movie style and the actors improvise and interact with the guests. Saucy starlet waitresses and cigarette girls serve pink champagne and cavier. The women are given tieras and headbands and the comic characters build the tempo of the "party" introducing groups of people to one another. A famous director whizzes into the room with a cameraman and insists on screen testing the guests. Soon Fatty Arbuckle announces that it is time to go to the Award Banquet and everyone (except the recipients) move to the main room.

THE MAIN ROOM
The main room looks like the cabaret scene from the Fred Astaire movie "Top Hat". Pin spots beam through an artificial fog to illuminate beautifully designed table centres. Prominent in the room is the main stage. It is on two levels. The downstage area is clear and painted glossy black. The upstage area is higher and accessed by a stylized staircase. The backdrop is framed by two marble pillars and a bannister that creates a balcony facing upstage towards a cyclorama. The cyc is brilliantly lit to create a Hollywood sunset. This is the main source of light in the room. Gobo'd on the sunset is the event logo. Silhouetted against this scene is an Orchestra playing Gershwin's "Shall We Dance". The orchestra plays for the entire event, encouraging guests to slow dance between dinner courses.

THE PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
Once the audience is seated, the orchestra plays a fanfare, and an announcer introduces the honoured guests. "....ladies and gentlemen, the 1997 award recipients!. The "Parade of Champions" enters the room to rousing music and applause. Spot lights circle the room and indoor fireworks explode! Live television cameras display the entrance on giant screens on either side of the room Once the recipients are seated, the announcer introduces the main HostM/C. ".....ladies and gentlemen, your M.C. for this evening.....William Shatner!"