Plan and Prove a 2-5 Minute Short or Skit
The capstone project for Nollywood & Film Production Basics — a free Creative course. Pass it and you earn a certificate anyone can verify.
- Free
- 6 steps
- Pass mark 65%
- Graded within minutes
- Beginner-friendly
The project unlocks once you complete the lessons. The workbook is free to download now so you can see exactly what is expected.
What you will submit
One shared document link containing: a short 2-5 minute script in proper format, a script breakdown and shot list, a one-page shooting schedule, a realistic naira budget, a short sound-and-look plan, and a working link to a shot or edited clip of at least one scene.
What to do, step by step
- Develop one simple, sharp idea and write a short script (about 2-5 minutes, roughly 2-5 pages) in proper format from Lesson 2 — using scene headings (INT./EXT.), present-tense action, and dialogue. Keep it to one main character, one clear want, one obstacle, and one turning point, and make the dialogue speakable and Nigerian.
- Create a script breakdown and a shot list: for each scene list the location, characters, and props, then list the specific shots you will capture (e.g. wide to establish, medium for dialogue, close-up for emotion), applying the coverage and framing ideas from Lesson 5.
- Build a one-page shooting schedule and a realistic naira budget. The schedule should group scenes by location and actor availability (not story order) with rough setup times; the budget should itemise transport, food/water, location/'settlement', props, any equipment, data, and a 10-15% contingency, as taught in Lesson 4.
- Write a short sound-and-look plan (4-6 lines): which microphone approach you will use to get clean sound (close-mic with a lav or shotgun, monitoring on headphones), how you will handle noise and power (NEPA/generators), your lighting approach, and which editor you will use (CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, or Premiere) plus your royalty-free music plan.
- Shoot at least one scene and provide proof: a link to either raw footage or an edited clip (even 20-60 seconds is fine) showing your framing, lighting, and clean sound in practice. Upload to YouTube (unlisted is fine), Google Drive, or similar, and make sure the link is viewable.
- Put the script, breakdown, shot list, schedule, budget, sound-and-look plan, and the clip link into one clean shared document (Google Doc, Word, or Notion), set sharing to 'anyone with the link can view', and submit that single link.
Files to work with
Project workbook (fill in, then submit)The whole brief, an evidence checklist, the grading rubric as a self-check and the link-sharing steps in one file. Opens in Word, Google Docs or WPS.Word · 7 KBHow it is graded
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Script is in correct format (scene headings, action, dialogue), short and focused (one character/want/obstacle/turning point) with natural, speakable Nigerian dialogue | 25% |
| Script breakdown and shot list are complete and practical — locations, characters, props per scene, with a sensible mix of shot sizes and coverage | 20% |
| Shooting schedule (grouped by location/actor) and itemised naira budget with contingency are realistic and clearly laid out | 20% |
| Sound-and-look plan shows clear understanding of clean-sound technique, noise/power handling, lighting, editing tool, and music rights | 20% |
| A working link to a shot or edited clip is provided, demonstrating framing, lighting, and audible clean sound, all in one tidy shareable document | 15% |
You need 65% overall to pass. A failed submission comes back with feedback and can be revised and resubmitted.
Before you submit: make your link public
If your work lives in Google Drive or Google Docs, open Share → General access and change “Restricted” to “Anyone with the link” (Viewer). Then paste the link into a private browser window: if it opens without sign-in, you are ready. A private link cannot be graded — it is the single most common reason a good project fails.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to finish Nollywood & Film Production Basics before submitting the project?
Yes. The submission screen opens once every lesson in Nollywood & Film Production Basics is marked complete. The lessons are where the methods, the Nigerian context and the worked examples the project depends on are taught.
How is the project graded?
An examiner scores each rubric criterion from 0 to 100 and weights them as shown on this page; you need 65% overall to pass. Most submissions are graded within minutes and you get written feedback on what was strong and what to improve.
Can I resubmit if I fail?
Yes. A failed project comes back with feedback; revise the weak parts and resubmit. A passed project is final — the certificate is issued and cannot be re-rolled.
What do I actually submit?
A write-up of what you did (under 5,000 characters) plus a public link to your work — a Google Drive folder, Google Doc, spreadsheet, GitHub repository or video. The link must open without sign-in; a private link cannot be graded. The free project workbook on this page walks you through all 6 steps.
Is the certificate real?
Yes. Passing this project issues a certificate with a unique verification code. Anyone — an employer, a client, a school — can open the verification page and see that the certificate is genuine and which project earned it.
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Ready to earn this certificate?
Nollywood & Film Production Basics is free and self-paced. Finish the lessons, complete this project, and the certificate is yours to share.
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