Advanced Television Production
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Advanced Television Production
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COMM 4452: Advanced Television Production Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-3:15 p.m. TV Studio, Education Center Fall 2001 GENERAL INFORMATION Instructor: Bradford L. Yates, Ph.D. Office: Humanities 144 Department of Mass Communications and Theatre Arts State University of West Georgia Office Hours: T/R 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Telephone: (770) 836-4564 E-mail: byates@westga.edu Web site: http://www.westga.edu/~byates Important Note: Read this entire course syllabus carefully. You are responsible for all the information contained herein. Ignorance of the policies of the class will not be an acceptable excuse. OFFICE HOURS I am available to address matters of concern during my office hours. If those hours are not convenient, please schedule an appointment with me. If you visit my office at other times, I may not be available because of other duties I must attend to. If you have problems in the class, it is YOUR responsibility to initiate contact with me. I cannot help you if you do not communicate with me. Let me know of any problems early in the semester. I will not accept excuses for poor performance or missing deadlines, especially late in the semester. TEXT & ADDITIONAL READINGS/MATERIALS Zettl, H. (2000). Television production handbook (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Additional readings from selected textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and web sites will be assigned throughout the semester as well as the viewing of various television programs. At least two (2) new VHS tapes. (Highest grade of tape would be best) *It is not possible to successfully complete the requirements of COMM 4452 without reading the textbook and additional materials. ABOUT THE COURSE COMM 4452 offers students direct involvement with the planning, producing, direction and post-production of television programs under the supervision of the instructor. Emphasis will be placed on the advanced creative, organizational and managerial aspects of television production. Furthermore, COMM 4452 is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course and will require writing to learn and writing to communicate assignments to develop skills in communicating. Learner Outcomes: By the end of the course you will:
GRADING POLICY Grades earned in this class are based solely on the following: Assignment Points Due Date WAC Objective Storyboard project 25 points Aug. 23 Writing to learn PSA for campus/community org. 25 points Sept. 06 Writing to learn Interview 25 points Sept. 20 Writing to learn News package with stand-up 25 points Oct. 04 Writing to learn Music Video 50 points Oct. 18 Writing to learn Mini-documentary 50 points Nov. 01 Writing to learn Producer’s Choice 50 points Nov. 15 Writing to learn Producer’s Choice 50 points Nov. 29 Writing to learn Producer’s Choice 50 points Dec. 04 Writing to learn Participation 50 points On-going Writing to learn Cover Letter, Resume, & Tape 100 points TBA Writing to communicate Total 500 points Grading Scale: Points needed to receive grade A 450-500 B 400-449 C 350-399 D 300-349 F 299 and below ATTENDANCE Here is the general policy for the course. You need to attend every scheduled class session. Please be on time. I’ll take attendance. If you miss more than fifteen (15) minutes of a class session or are not present, I’ll need to consider you "absent." You have two (2) excused absences, so use them judiciously and sparingly (i.e., car trouble, minor illness, job interview, etc.). Ten points will be deducted for each absence in excess of two. (For example, you will lose 30 points if you miss 5 total classes for the semester). (Excessive absences will result in failure of the course). Note: It is your responsibility to be aware of your attendance. You should see me at any point during the semester if you have any questions whatsoever about this policy or your attendance – the sooner the better. Excused absences: Absences may be excused when due to unavoidable situations substantiated with documentation. Acceptable situations include a serious incapacitating illness or a death in your family, among others. Requests for excused absences will not be considered unless made in writing prior to the absence in question unless there are extreme circumstances that did not allow for a prior request. I certainly understand that unforeseen things can happen to anyone. Please try to work things out with me in advance if at all possible. Handouts: You are responsible for collecting all handouts at the time they are distributed. If you are absent, you have ONE WEEK to collect the materials. After one week, do not ask me for copies of handouts. I will not keep extra copies! PROJECTS You will complete 10 projects in this course:
Each project, except for the storyboard project, will require a written Production Report, which will be posted to the class bulletin board via Web CT. See Sample Production Report below. Projects 5-9 will require a Production Book, which includes production report, program proposal/treatment, video logs, storyboards/script, talent release forms, and copyright information. Further details will be provided for each project as the semester progresses. All productions must be pre-approved by the instructor. Do not begin a production until you have discussed your ideas with the instructor. Please post your production idea to the class bulletin board once you have decided upon an idea. Late productions will not be accepted! You must learn to meet deadlines to be successful in the television production business; therefore, late projects will not be tolerated. If you are having problems with an assignment, talk with the instructor immediately! SAMPLE PRODUCTION REPORT: Lynn Smith Jan. 25, 2001 COMM 4452 Production #1 Project: Sharper Image Aerobics Show TRT: 30:00 Production notes: I directed and produced this program. I called in advance to book the guests, designed the new version of the set, set up for the show, and directed the program. After striking the set I immediately edited the show using Edit Suite A. Joe Walker, Sue Miller, and Janice Brown ran camera and assisted with the studio production. I spent two hours in the studio preparing the lighting and the set, and four hours editing the show. I added a new open for the show and new superimposed graphics and credits. What I learned: I forgot to white balance the cameras so there is a yellow hue to the shots. Also, my guests were almost late. I learned I need to call and confirm the day before to make sure they haven’t forgotten about the shoot. A full crew makes the show easier to direct and shoot. Having many camera operators and a floor director meant I could focus more attention on creative camera shots, and the overall quality of the program. After completing this production, I realize I enjoy commercial production much more than producing programming. My future productions will be commercial spots and public service announcements. CLASS PARTICIPATION Working Together: Collaboration is a vital part of television production, and there is no penalty for working together (i.e., serving as talent, helping carry equipment, discussing project ideas). In fact, it will be necessary for each of you to serve as crew and/or talent for your fellow classmates on several projects throughout the semester. However, each student is required to turn in his/her own work, shoot and edit his/her own video footage, and write his/her own material. Take advantage of the opportunity to see a production through from idea to program. Work Outside of Normal Class Hours: Like most courses, this course demands work outside of scheduled class time. However, much of the outside work (i.e., editing) needs to be done during the day rather than at night. Therefore, be advised that your daytime schedule should include certain hours dedicated to this course. Note: "File Footage" may be used for a production if it is impossible to shoot because it is historical or not available. Any "file footage" used must be credited and used with permission of the owner. NO MORE THAN 15% OF A PROJECT SHOULD BE FILE FOOTAGE. FIELD TRIPS The class will visit broadcast and cable television stations in the Atlanta area to meet professionals, tour different TV studios, and see the latest television production equipment. Specific tour dates will be determined later in the semester. INTERNET AND E-MAIL It will be necessary to keep in contact with one another via e-mail and the Internet. You will be responsible for checking the class web site on Web CT (http://webct.westga.edu ) on a regular basis for announcements and other vital information. You must have an e-mail account that you check regularly for this course. If you do not have one, please get one set up as soon as possible. You will post your production reports to the class bulletin board. You are encouraged to discuss each other’s projects in a supportive and constructive manner. We all learn more when we share our ideas and offer helpful hints along with constructive criticism.ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Academic dishonesty is NOT tolerated. It will result in failure on assignment(s) as well as possible disciplinary sanction(s) as stipulated by university rules. State University of West Georgia Student Conduct Code defines academic dishonesty as cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating or allowing academic dishonesty in any academic exercise. Cheating using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids Fabrication falsification or unauthorized invention of any information or citation Plagiarism representing the words or ideas of another as one's own. Direct quotations must be indicated and ideas of another must be appropriately acknowledged. Academic dishonesty in any form compromises your grade and lowers the quality of your diploma. A fellow student who cheats may actually lower your grade, sometimes causing unfair and inflated grading scales. I hope each of you values your college education enough to protect yourself from dishonest classmates. If you are aware of cheating taking place, please contact Dr. Glenn Novak, chair of the Department of Mass Communications and Theatre Arts, or me and proper action will be taken. SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS I will make special arrangements for students with special needs. Don’t wait until after the first project to talk with me! Don’t try and "wing it" without telling me about your particular problem or needs. If you need special accommodations for projects, let me know early, not a few days before the project is due. I am here to facilitate your learning, but I need to be informed to do so. BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM You do not need me to tell you how to behave in a classroom environment. However, I want you to know what I expect from you in order to avoid embarrassing situations.
CLASS SCHEDULE Class members’ areas of interests and skill level will shape class topics and projects. Assigned readings from the textbook and trade articles will facilitate discussion about specific techniques and skills. Discussions may include, but are not limited to, commercials, documentaries, directing, editing, entry-level TV jobs, news, media literacy, lighting (filed and studio), producing, resume tapes, set design, and sound design. Class time will be spent viewing and critically analyzing student projects and professional productions and getting feedback from your colleagues and the instructor. Productions are due every other week, unless extenuating circumstances arise. Note: I wish to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Tracy Hester, Dr. Michael Hoefges, Dr. Camilla Gant, Dr. Millie Rivera-Sanchez and Mr. Art Land for allowing me to use parts of their syllabi to design this one. Their materials and advice are greatly appreciated! © B.L. Yates 2001 |