Lately, the types of events that AOO Events produces have shifted from custom event décor to more live production galas and awards shows. I believe that this is because we carry the client’s aesthetic to every aspect of the event. The client’s message and personality should come through in what guests see, taste, smell, touch and hear. Of course, the most direct conveyor of the message is the spoken word. That's why we use Ruth Moyte as our script writer! She's great at getting into the heads of our clients, learning their history and demographics and being able to take all that and parlay it into emotionally charged, entertaining scripts. With her investigative genius, mixed with a ton of patience, she has become an integral part of the creative team at AOO Events!David Merrell, Lead designdawg
THE WORD
By Ruth Moyte
It all starts with a word, especially when you’re a scriptwriter.
Last November, I got a call from Dave Merrell about writing a script that would inspire, and challenge me in ways I’d never contemplated. The project was the kick off Gala Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation. We would be working with the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation, the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. The guests and speakers would be top level military leaders from all three branches, former President George H.W. Bush, celebrities and community leaders. And, it was my job to create an evening that was historical and celebratory for them. Can you say, “shut the front door!?” I was just a tad excited.
Dan Fouts, the show's MC, with two Naval officers, during one of the segment
Three main ideas evolved from the creative team and would become the crux of three videos created by Brett Culp, representing the Legacy, People, and Spirit of Naval Aviation. Working together with Tom Budas, AOO's Marketing Director, we would need to create a storyline and live experience focusing on those three central points.
In addition, we would need some emotionally provocative moments of honor and celebration as well as observation of ceremonial protocol. Where to begin? My knowledge of naval aviation started with the opening scene of Top Gun and ended with the credits rolling at the end of the movie. I had to make up for some lost time, errr, history.
Scriptwriting encompasses so much more than flowery words on paper. Before I ever splash ink, I spend a lot of time really understanding what the client wants to accomplish with the event. Sound familiar? For event professionals reading this, it should.
I seek a lot of the same information that each of you find valuable, I just use it differently.
In events we often talk about touching the senses. And when writing a script it’s of utmost importance. Using sight and sound, a great script stimulates the parts of the brain that provide an emotional response. Let me give you an example.
Creating The Response
That night at the event, we would create a historical moment where the past would literally meet the future passing on the legacy of naval aviation. In order to make it work we would need the oldest living aviator and the youngest aviator present that evening. A tough task, but it was possible, and this is where one of the moments in the evening gets magical.
Let’s set the stage.
The room looked amazing, guests were happy and the evening’s program was moving right along when we came up on the time to create a historical moment. Here’s an actual excerpt from the script. Dan Fouts, our MC for the evening, delivered the narration perfectly.
This evening, as we celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-Off Gala, we are not only celebrating the achievement of the last century, but creating history…history that only those of you in this room will ever experience. There are some things that only happen once in a lifetime. This is one of them.
Dan Fouts and ENS Justin T. Mears
A young Naval Officer, ENS Justin T. Mears, pinned on his Wings of Gold last night in a ceremony at Naval Air Station at Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. His squadron, known as the Hellions, falls under the command of Training Air Wing 5 and fly the TH-57 SeaRanger. Please join me in welcoming the newest Naval Aviator Ensign Mears to the Family of Naval Aviation. He represents a future leader of generations to come.
[Ensign Mears comes out to center stage amid applause.]
In addition, another very special guest here this evening is a veteran and decorated U.S. Marine Corps ace fighter pilot who served during World War II and the Korean War. He has the enviable distinction of having seen not just Naval Aviation, but the evolution of flight itself, grow from a vision to the keystone of America’s defense. Currently the oldest living Naval Aviator, he is a witness to and a part of the living legacy that has made us what we are. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a round of applause for…America’s oldest living ace, Brigadier General Frederick “Fritz” Payne!
[Ensign Mears begins walking down the stairs and down the aisle toward Brigadier General Frederick “Fritz” Payne’s table].
Tonight, these two men represent the past and the present of Naval Aviation as together they look to the next one hundred years of progress and achievement.
[Ensign Mears arrives at table, and salutes Brigadier General Payne.]
Emotionally provocative on its own, the moment soared even higher than anticipated, when the 99-year-old Brigadier General, who was wheelchair-bound, struggled to his feet, stood erect and saluted the young Ensign back. In that moment, every element of the event came together in an explosion of unbelievable emotion. The room came to its feet with a roar of applause and cheers. I sat in the tech booth with chill bumps running down my back. The goal had been achieved and it was historical and priceless.
Golden Nuggets…
It is enchanted moments like the one I just shared with you, which make me so passionate about what I do. It’s finding that one word, the right nugget, which creates strong emotion and imprints an indelible memory or message in the minds of guests.
Whether I’m working with a local charity or the man in the big white house, I chase after moments that will drive guests to the mindset a client needs them to be in. I work to deliver indelible memories through experiences triggered by words. In my opinion it’s about the coolest thing ever. I’m impassioned by the opportunity and the challenge. I live it, breathe it and love it! If I get my way, I’ll be writing the rest of my days. Maybe, one day I’ll even get the opportunity to write with you, and I’d really, really like that.
RUTH MOYTEThrough words,
Ruth Moyte captures a moment, makes a connection, builds emotion and delivers a message. Building on story, rhythm and timing, her event scripts are works of art in and of themselves. Each reflects the personality and brand of the client for whom she is writing, many of whom are leading companies across a broad range of industries throughout the United States and Canada.
With 18 years of experience in the special events industry, Ruth has worked on a variety of events and projects with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Audi, Siemens, Farmer's Insurance, Epson, IIDA, Dream Foundation, Anthem/WellPoint, EventMobi and many more. From writing scripts, speeches, awards submissions, creative concepts, conference content, print and broadcast copy, direct mail, and web copy, each project she takes on is delivered with her passion-driven writing style.
Through her own blog,
Ruthspirations, she satisfies her desire to help people meet and overcome challenges in both their personal and professional lives. With her wit and candid sense of humor, she tells it like it is and aspires to inspire as many people as she can along the way.
The long walkway toward the restaurant's entrance allowed us to build anticipation for what was to come. Guests followed a blue walkway dramatically lighted by Images by Lighting. As guests got nearer to the end they saw that the carpet was in fact the train of a blue dress worn by a beautiful model from Champagne Creative. When done in red, this effect is a great red carpet treatment.
Accordionist Ron Borelli set the mood.
Inside, guests were greeted by a French host, Vernon the Entertainer, who designed this moving table filled with glasses of champagne.
The restaurant is a perfect French bistro, warm and inviting. We custom built a charcuterie platter and buffet that became the center of the main dining room. To the right of it we built a platform stage.
The stage highlighted jazz harpist Lori Andrews.
The entire dining experience was interactive. Here is the fresh seafood buffet with lots of oysters, mussels and great shrimp.
One of the most popular buffets -- charcuterie -- was hosted by another fun character.
All the bars and buffets were custom built to fit into the space and look as though they were always there.
Buffets were set up through the enormous kitchen space. The chefs were manning the line and cooking dishes to order as well as directly replenishing buffets.
All the pastry is made on site as well and the pastry chefs created beautiful displays.
The main buffet in the kitchen. It took a lot of coordination and planning by the team at Bouchon to make it such a unique and world-class experience. It was worth it. Letting the event gravitate toward the kitchen gave the event the feeling we wanted -- that of both a homey, intimate experience and a behind-the-scenes look at a well-known chef's restaurant.
A food lover's experience in the kitchen of Thomas Keller!
Guests watched as artist Ann Rea created a line drawing of Thomas Keller's cookbook. Then they could take part by painting it in. A lucky guest was awarded the painting at the end. However, everyone received a cookbook, and of course, they all left with a delicious memory to take home!
