COMM 4452: Advanced Television Production
Tuesday/Thursday
Instructor:
Office: Humanities 151
Department of Mass
Communications and Theatre Arts
State
Office Hours: T/R
W
By Appointment
Telephone: (770) 836-4564
E-mail: byates@westga.edu
My UWG: http://myuwg.westga.edu
Personal 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.
Acknowledgements: I wish to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Tracy
Hester, Dr. Michael Hoefges, Dr.
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.
1. Zettl, H.
(2003). Television production
handbook (8th ed.).
2. Additional readings from selected
textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and Web sites will be assigned throughout the
semester as well as the viewing of various television/video programs.
3. At least two (2) new DV tapes for field recording and at least two (2) DVD-RW discs for master
recording.
*It is not possible to successfully complete the requirements of COMM 4452 without reading the assigned materials.
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.
Mass Communications Program Learning Outcomes:
1.
Students
will be able to understand critically the origin, development, and paramount
economic, legal/policy, social, and effects issues of mass media.
2.
Students
will be able to understand critically structure and process of mass media
industries within economic, legal, and ethical considerations.
3.
Students
will develop the ability to write mass media messages with accuracy, clarity,
and brevity on deadline and within varying style, ethical, and legal
considerations.
4.
Students
will develop proficient use of technology to produce visual and audio messages
for mass media within varying aesthetic, style, technical, ethical, and legal
considerations.
5.
Students
will be able to gain practical experiences to apply and test knowledge and
skills, and to network with professionals.
6.
Students
will be encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship.
7.
Students
will be provided a foundation for graduate study in communication.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1.
The
student will gain knowledge and experience in the initial planning and hands-on
producing of television programs.
2.
The
student will gain knowledge and experience with directing and postproduction
techniques for television programs and productions.
3.
The
student will gain advanced knowledge and experience in the use of studio and
field production equipment, facilities and personnel.
Grades
earned in this class are
based solely on the following:
Situation
Comedy Treatment-25 points
Final
Cut Pro Skills Test-25 points
Production
Team Assignments-200 points
Producer
Director
Technical
Director/Director of Photography
Head
writer
Set/Lighting
Designer/Props
Graphic
Artist
Sound
Designer
Costumer
Designer/Makeup Artist/Talent Coordinator
Chief
Editor
Production
Reports-100 points
Attendance/Participation-50 points
Final
Edited Show-100 points
A 450-500
B 400-449
C 350-399
D 300-349
F 299 and below
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 (more than 9) 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! Most handouts
will be posted on WebCT.
The
goal of this course is to produce three episodes of an originally scripted
situation comedy. The episodes will be 10-15 minutes in length and will be
aired on UTV-13. Each student will be assigned and fulfill a specific role as a
production team member. However, all students are required to assist one
another in ALL areas of production as necessary. This project is a TEAM effort.
Individual
grades will be based on completing a Final Cut Pro Skills Test, fulfilling your
official production team role, which includes meeting deadlines and assisting
other production team members, and submitting production reports. In addition,
all production team members will be required to submit a treatment for a situation
comedy, which will be voted on by all team members. The treatment selected by
the production team will be developed into a script and produced for air on UTV-13.
Furthermore, the final edited episodes will be evaluated and the same number of
points will be assigned to all team members.
Type-written
production reports must be submitted every two weeks in hard copy and to the class
bulletin board on WebCT. You should include production notes and what you
learned in your reports. See sample production report below. The more detail
the better. Please keep your reports in a Production Book (this can be a
notebook or a file folder). Other items that should be kept in the production
book include video logs, drafts of the script, talent release forms, copyright
information, contact lists, notes, etc.
Late assignments will not be accepted for
credit! However, you are
still required to complete all assignments because your production team members
will be relying on your work. You must learn to meet deadlines to be successful
in the television production business; therefore, late assignments will not be
tolerated. If you are having problems
with an assignment, talk with the instructor immediately!
SAMPLE
PRODUCTION REPORT:
Lynn
Smith
(Insert
your official team role: e.g., Producer)
COMM
4452
(Insert
Title of Program)
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 possibly talent for your fellow classmates on the
production. Take advantage of the opportunity to see a production through from
idea to program.
Work Outside of
Note: "File Footage" may be used for the 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 THE PROJECT SHOULD BE FILE FOOTAGE.
My UWG Campus Pipeline: It will be necessary to keep in contact
with one another via the My UWG Campus Pipeline (i.e., e-mail and WebCT). You
will be responsible for checking the Campus Pipeline (http://myuwg.westga.edu/cp/home/loginf)
on a regular basis for class announcements, assignments, and discussion topics.
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 is NOT tolerated. It will
result in failure on assignment(s) as well as possible disciplinary sanction(s)
as stipulated by university rules.
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. David Goff, chair of the Department of Mass Communications
and Theatre Arts, or me and proper action will be taken.
I will make
special arrangements for students with special needs. Don’t wait until after the first assignment
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 assignments,
let me know early, not a few days
before the assignment is due. I am here
to facilitate your learning, but I need to be informed to do so.
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.
l
You
are expected to participate in class discussions. Feel free to speak your mind during class, no
matter how outrageous your comments may be.
I expect, however, that you show respect to your classmates. If you disagree with their point of view,
please express that disagreement in a way that is not offensive.
l
Turn
off all cell phones and pagers. If a phone rings, I reserve the right to answer
the phone and to ask you to leave class.
l
I will
be well aware of the clock during our class meetings. Therefore, please refrain from slamming
books and closing back packs until the class is over! I will be respectful of your schedules and
will not purposely keep you longer than our allotted time.
(This schedule is subject to change in order to
accommodate guest speakers and maintain some flexibility. Additional
reading and viewing assignments will be made throughout the semester. You
are responsible for all material assigned.)
August
Week One
Tues. 24-Syllabus
review
Thurs. 26-Brainstorming
session-Ideas for situation comedy
Week Two
Tues. 31-Orientation
to Final Cut Pro
September
Thurs. 02-Review
of operation of studio and field equipment
Week Three
Tues. 07-Situation Comedy Treatment Due
Thurs. 09-Final
Cut Pro Skills Test
Week Four
Tues. 14-Final Cut
Pro Skills Test
Thurs.
16-First Draft of Script Due
Week Five
Tues. 21-First Draft of Production Schedule Due
Thurs. 23-First Draft of Set Design/Lighting
Plot/Props List Due
Week Six
Tues. 28-Second Draft of Script Due
Thurs. 30-Location
Survey
October
Week Seven
Week Eight
Thurs.
14-Audition Actors/Last Day to Withdraw
with a W
Week Nine
Tues. 19-Reharsal/Catch up
Thurs. 21-Rehearsal/Catch
up
Week Ten
Tues. 26-Show taping
Thurs. 28-Show taping
November
Week Eleven
Tues. 02-Show taping
Thurs. 04-Show taping
Week Twelve
Tues. 09-Show taping
Thurs. 11-Show taping/(Yates tentatively out of town)
Week Thirteen
Tues. 16-Edit Show
Thurs. 18-Edit Show/(Yates tentatively out of town)
Week Fourteen
Tues. 23-Edit Show
Thurs. 25-Thanksgiving Day-NO CLASS!
Week Fifteen
Tues. 30-Edit Show
December
Thurs. 02-Edit Show
Week Sixteen
Tues. 07-Final Edited Show Due
Fri. 10-Reading Day