AlabamaCreates Studio
Motion Assessment Rubric
Cohort 1 · Both Project Cycles
12 Weeks · 2 Client Campaigns · Opens Sat Jul 25, 2026 · Closes Sat Oct 17, 2026
How This Rubric Works
The Motion mentor assesses each Motion Director at two checkpoints: end of Cycle 1 (Week 6, Sun Sep 6, 2026) and end of Cycle 2 (Week 12, Sun Oct 18, 2026). The same categories are evaluated each time. The standard rises between cycles.
Each category is scored on a four-level scale:
| Level | Label | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Not Yet | Requires direct instruction. |
| 2 | Emerging | Shows early ability with regular support. |
| 3 | Developing | Works with occasional gaps and light guidance. |
| 4 | Independent | Performs consistently without prompting. |
The goal is not for every Motion Director to reach Level 4 in every category by Week 12. The goal is visible, documentable progression from wherever they started.
Category 1: Story Strategy
Can the participant identify a meaningful subject, tension, evidence, and audience action?
| Cycle 1 (End of Wk 6 · Sun Sep 6) | Cycle 2 (End of Wk 12 · Sun Oct 18) |
|---|
| Builds a defensible story with guidance. | Independently identifies and defends the strongest story. |
Category 2: Production Craft
Can the participant capture usable image, lighting, dialogue, natural sound, and b-roll?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Produces usable work with preventable gaps. | Leads a controlled shoot and anticipates risks. |
Category 3: Editorial Judgment
Can the participant shape footage into a clear and emotionally credible story?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Finds the story through critique. | Builds a strong first cut and diagnoses problems independently. |
Category 4: Brand and Motion Integration
Can the participant translate Brand strategy into imagery, pacing, titles, graphics, and tone?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Applies the identity correctly with support. | Extends it naturally and identifies motion needs early. |
Category 5: Technical Workflow and Delivery
Can the participant manage media, backups, versions, captions, licensing, exports, and handoff?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Completes the workflow with mentor QA. | Delivers a complete package independently. |
Category 6: Client Communication and Studio Leadership
Can the participant plan production, direct subjects, present decisions, receive feedback, and coordinate across tracks?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Communicates reliably with support. | Owns the process and keeps the studio aligned. |
Category 7: Studio Coordination & Integrated Delivery
Can the participant coordinate across tracks, keep the studio aligned, and contribute to one integrated delivery? (Shared dimension across all three disciplines.) Do the films connect to the brand and the site, or develop in isolation?
| Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 |
|---|
| Pulls brand assets from the studio and shares work, with prompting. Films read as connected to the brand. | Proactively syncs at Studio Convergence; the films, brand, and site read as one system, not three tracks. |
Required Final Narrative
At each checkpoint the mentor documents:
- Where the participant began.
- What changed.
- Their strongest ability.
- Their most important remaining weakness.
- Their realistic next 90–180 days.