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Synopsis & Title Pages - Purposes & Content |
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Tim Bartsche & Harvey Tilles |
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The Philatelic Exhibitor, Vol. 15, Nr. 1, January 2001 |
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Having just returned from APS ST AMPSHOW 2000 in Providence, it was so heartening to have viewed over 70 gold-medal exhibits at a single venue. The quality of such a display could only be equaled at the finest international exhibitions. At that show, Harvey Tilles and I conducted a seminar entitled "How to Construct Exhibit Title Pages and Synopses." In our opinion, these two pages are the most important things in an exhibit; the former to tell the viewer (not just the judges) what it is he/she is about to see and the latter to have a "heart-to-heart" talk with the judges. Based upon the interaction and interest in the seminar, we have included below the self-explanatory outlines that we produced as handouts. We hope that maybe one point might help the reader. |
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STAMPSHOW 2000 |
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HOW TO CONSTRUCT A TITLE PAGE/SYNOPSIS |
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TITLE PAGE |
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I. PURPOSE OF TITLE PAGE. |
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A. INFORM VIEWER WHAT HE IS GOING TO SEE & TYPE OF EXHIBIT (e.g.: PH, SS, etc.) |
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B. INFORM VIEWER OF SUBJECT/EXHIBIT BACKGROUND/HISTORICAL VIEWPOINT |
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1. Fills possible gap necessary to understand exhibit subject. |
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2. Informs viewer of little known information. |
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3. Informs viewer purpose of the exhibit. |
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4. Introduces viewer to complexity of subject. |
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C. BE BRIEF, SHOULDN'T TAKE MORE THAN A MINUTE TO READ |
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II. STRUCTURE OF TITLE PAGE |
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A. TITLE OF EXHIBIT |
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1. Make sure viewer understands what the exhibit is about. |
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2. Define the boundaries of exhibit as much as possible within title. |
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B.BACKGROUND |
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1. Give the viewer enough historical information to understand what story of exhibit is. |
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2. Give viewer enough background to .w..an1 to view exhibit. |
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3. Give subject life and charm, if possible (make story compelling). |
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C. EXHIBIT PLAN |
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1. Structure of exhibit [in natural breakdown of subject(s)]. |
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2. Explain keys to understanding exhibit (important items, etc.). |
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3. Items to look for (if appropriate). |
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D. PHILATELIC ITEM/ILLUSTRATION |
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1. Use eye-catcher item that will not detract from continuity of main story or flow. |
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2. If appropriate, place map or illustration as aid to understand exhibit better. |
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3. No limit or boundaries to what is allowed, but use space wisely. |
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III. SUBTITLE PAGES |
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A. BREAK EXHIBIT INTO NATURAL CHAPTERS |
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1. Improves treatment of subject particularly in eyes of judges. |
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2. Assists in flow of story (you always know where you are in exhibit). |
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3. Makes viewing easier and more educational. |
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SYNOPSIS PAGE |
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I. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SYNOPSIS? |
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A. INFORM JUDGES ABOUT THINGS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR TITLE PAGE |
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1. Difficulty of material acquisition. |
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2. Challenge of collecting/exhibiting subject. |
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3. Research done by exhibit. |
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4. Material highlights. |
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5. Bibliography/suggested reading for judges. |
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6. Remember this is FOR the judges, not the public. |
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7. Be brief and concise in your points. |
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B. MOST SALIENT IDEAS/POINTS CAN/SHOULD BE REPEATED FOR EMPHASIS |
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II. STRUCTURE OF SYNOPSIS |
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A. PURPOSE OF EXHIBIT |
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1. What are you going to show and why and what TYPE of exhibit (PH/Trad/SS). |
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2. Why is the structure of exhibit the way it is. |
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3. What is this exhibit's importance. |
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B.CHALLENGE FACTOR |
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1. Explain condition difficulties. |
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2. Describe difficulty of acquisition/rarity factors. |
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3. Research necessary for cogent presentation. |
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C. WHAT IS PRESENTED |
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1. What is shown per A. above. |
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2. What is not shown and why (e.g.: only known example in Queen's collection). |
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D. ORGANIZATION |
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1. Show how exhibit is organized and why. |
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2. Utilize the running headings as logical breakdown/story flow. |
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E. MATERIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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1. Here is chance to "toot" your own horn - loudly. |
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2. List what you think judges will expect to see, your best pieces and why they are. |
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3. List what you suspect judges will not know about but should notice. |
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F. INFORMATIONAL SOURCES |
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1. Help judges become educated in your own little corner of the philatelic world. |
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2. List only most important sources less than a handful. |
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3. List at least a few that are readily available and in English. |
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4. Don't expect judges to be an expert, but give them a reasonable background. |
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e-mail: fran adams |
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copyright © 2000-04 fran adams |
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