PRINCIPLES OF BROADCAST PRODUCTION

JOUR 3644 Fall 2012 Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: PAUL DAUGHERTY, Office (Armory 203E), Office Hours: Wednesdays 9-11am and by appointment

Office Phone: 303-492-0867, Mobile: 303-588-5894, Email: Paul.Daugherty@colorado.edu

1^st half of semester – Field  - Continuing Ed 140: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1pm-2:50pm

2^nd half of semester – ATLAS Studio - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1pm – 4:50pm

Class Website: www.tvproduction1.com

Overview: Broadcast news and broadcast production majors are required to complete Principles of Television Production (JOUR 3644), also known as TV-1. This course teaches the fundamental skills you will need in your chosen profession: from storyboarding to digital video camera, to non-linear editing and multi-camera studio directing. The key lesson will be for you to develop an understanding of and to apply the standards of broadcast excellence to all of your work.

Objectives: Students will work individually and in teams to complete the assignments, which will be evaluated on how well the ideas are executed both technically and creatively, and how well the work conforms to industry practices. This course will focus specifically on developing competency in visual literacy, applying theories and practice to the presentation of images and information.

Required Text: Zettl, Herbert.Television Production Handbook, Eleventh Edition, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.

Instructional Strategy: The material will be taught through lecture and hands-on activities. Lectures will involve industry examples from news stories, films and documentaries, which will be followed by class discussions. Video assignments will have the potential to be screened by an audience. Students will be evaluated based on their level of participation in the class, professionalism, the content, execution and creativity of their work, quizzes and tests.

• LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Extensions are granted only if there is a compelling reason. Time management skills are a must. Students need to show that they made every effort to start projects early rather than the day before they are due. Evaluation of the work will rely more heavily on the final presentation (what the audience sees) rather than how much time and effort you put into it.
  
• USE OF LAPTOPS FOR NOTE-TAKING AND RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. During class, students are advised strongly to refrain from browsing emails, social media and other sites that are not relevant to class. When there is a video screening, all computer and mobile devices will be closed and eyes directed at the video.
  

How to Contact Me: I can be reached best by mobile phone. Responses to emails may be delayed, but I will endeavour to return messages immediately.

Teaching Philosophy: I have a passion for broadcast. My intention is to foster learning in a friendly, relaxed environment that is conducive to multiple learning styles.  One of the best ways to do this is to organize the material such that it is user-friendly. I also highly encourage class discussion and the understanding that learning requires a strong commitment and work ethic. Video production is a craft, which is why I highly recommend that students make opportunities to get practice beyond the usual assignments. I believe that the most successful students are those who take initiative, are resourceful who value high production standards and are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone.

Course Structure and Grading: Completion of the assignments, strong participation, competent skills and respectable test scores are required to receive a passing grade. All assignments and course timelines are subject to last minute changes. Bonus points may be awarded for technical achievement and creativity. I am willing to award extra credit, which is negotiable with students who take the initiative to ask.

Field Assignments – 30%       Studio Assignments – 30%     Quizzes and Tests – 30%       Attendance and Participation – 10%

Required Supplies:

-       at least 3 mini-DV tapes (preferably JVC tapes)

-       recordable DVD-R’s

-       Flash Drive (USB) with at least 1 GB of space

-       portable hard-drive - My recommendations would be a Lacie Rugged Drive. Get one that has at least 160 GB and with dual FireWire and USB connections.

Late Assignments, Quizzes and Tests: Will not be accepted without approval at least 24-hours in advance and only if there is a compelling need, which will be judged by the instructor.

Assignments:

           Field Production                  Due Date                                         Points

• Storyboard             Tues, 4 Sept                     5 pts
  
• Editing Exercise        Thurs. 13 Sept                  15 pts
  
• Matching Action        Tues.  25 Sept                  20 pts
  
• PSA                     Thurs.  4 Oct                   20 pts
  
• News Package          Tues.   16 Oct                  25 pts                                         

         Studio Production                  Due Date                                         Points

• Interview                6 & 8 Nov                      15 pts
  
• Newsbreak              13, 27 & 29 Nov               15 pts
  
• Final Studio Project     4, 6, 11, 13 Dec              20 pts

Exams                                                

• Quizzes          13 Sept, 9 Oct, 17 & 29 Nov        40 pts
  
• Midterm         Thurs. 18 Oct.                         45 pts
  
• Final Exam (take home)  due Mon. 17 Dec (5pm)       50 pts
  

 

 TIMETABLE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

 Week 1 - Part 1: FIELD PRODUCTION

Tuesday, 28 Aug. – Hello and Introduction

• Yola.com for Website construction
  
• CodecS 101
• Storyboarding
• DISCUSS STORYBOARD ASSIGNMENT
  
• SELECT A & B GROUPS
  
• SELECT VOLUNTEERS FOR THURSDAY’S PRODUCTION DEMO

 

Thursday, 30 Aug. – Production Demonstration

• LESSON: Composition (types of shots)
  

WEEKEND READING

Chapter 1 – The Television Production Process

• Section 1.1 What Television Production Is All About
  
• Section 1.2 Technical Production Systems
  

Chapter 4 – The Director in Preproduction

• Pages 68-70 about Storyboarding
  

Chapter 8 - Camera Operation and Picture Composition

• Section 8.1 – Working the Camera
  
• Section 8.2 –Framing Effective Shots
  

Chapter 18 - Field Production and Big Remotes

• Section 18.1 – Field Production
  
• Section 18.2 – Covering Major Events
  

Chapter 19 - Postproduction

• Section 19.1 How Nonlinear Editing Works
  
• Section 19.2 – How Linear Editing Works
  

Chapter 20 – Editing Functions and Principles

• Section 20.1 – Continuity Editing
  
• Section 20.2 – Complexity Editing
  

                          

Week 2

Tuesday, 4 Sept. – STORYBOARD ASSIGNMENT DUE                                             Camera and Editing Exercise Sessions

• A Group – Editing (1p-3p)
  
• B Group – Camera (3p-4p)
  
• DISCUSS EDITING EXERCISE
  

READING:                      

Chapter 6 – The Television Camera

• Section 6.1 – How Television Cameras Work
  
• Section 6.2 – Resolution, Contrast and Colour
  

Chapter 7 - Lenses

• Section 6.1 - What Lenses Are
  
• Section 6.2 - What Lenses See
  

 Thursday, 6 Sept. – Continue with Camera and Editing Sessions

• B Group – Editing (1p-3p)
  
• A Group – Camera (3p-4p)
  
• DISCUSS EDITING EXERCISE
  

 

WEEKEND READING:        

Chapter 5 - Analogue and Digital Television

• Section 4.1 - Analogue and Digital Processes
  
• Section 4.2 - Scanning Systems
  

Chapter 9 – Audio Sound Pickup

•  Section 9.1 – How Microphones Hear
  
• Section 9.2 – How Microphones Work
  

Chapter 13 - Video-recording and Storage Systems

• Section 12.1 – Tape-based and Tapeless Video Recording
  
• Section 12.2 - How Video Recording Is Done
  

Week 3

Tuesday, 11 Sept. – Lecture: The Television Camera

READING:

Review Chapter 6 – The Television Camera

Review Chapter 7 - Lenses      

Thursday, 13 Sept. – EDITING ACTION EXERCISE DUE 

•  screen exercises
•  QUIZ #1 – covers all chapters up until this date
• DISCUSS MATCHING ACTION EXERCISE
  

 

 

WEEKEND READING:          

Review Chapter 8.2 - Framing Effective Shots

Review Chapter 20 – Editing Functions and Principles

Chapter 11 – Lighting

Week 4

Tuesday, 18 Sept - Review – Discussion

• DISCUSS PSA ASSIGNMENTS
• Select PSA teams – discuss strategy

READING: 

Review Chapter 11 – Lighting

Review Chapter 12 – Techniques of Television Lighting

Thursday, 20 Sept. – Lighting Demo

        

WEEKEND READING:        

Chapter 3 - The Producer in Preproduction

• Section 2.1 – What Producing Is All About
  
• Section 2.2 – Information Resources, Unions, and Ratings
  

Chapter 3 – The Script

• Section 3.1 – Basic Script Formats
  
• Section 3.2 – Dramatic Structure, Conflict, and Dramaturgy
  

Chapter 4 – The Director in Preproduction

• Section 4.1 – How a Director Prepares
  
• Section 4.2 – Communication and Scheduling
  

 

Week 5    

Tuesday, 25 Sept. – MATCHING ACTION EXERCISE DUE

• Lecture: Producing and Scripting
  
• Documentaries
  
• News
  
• Magazine Features
  

 

Thursday, 27 Sept. - PSA Shoot

Week 6

Tuesday, 2 Oct. –  More on Scripting and Producing a News Story

• DISCUSS NEWS PACKAGE ASSIGNMENT
  

 

Thursday, 4 Oct. –  PSA’s DUE – Class evaluation and discussion

                                               

Week 7 

Tuesday, 9 Oct -  QUIZ #2

WILDCARD DAY

 

Thursday, 11 Oct. - Field Trip to Warren Miller!

 

Week 8

Tuesday, 16 Oct. -  NEWS PACKAGE DUE 

                                              Class review and discussions
                        

Thursday, 18 Oct. - MIDTERM – covers everything so far

WEEKEND READING:

Review Chapter 8 – Camera Operation and Picture Composition

Chapter 14 – Switching, Or Instantaneous Editing

• Section 14.1 – How Switchers Work
  
• Section 14.2 – Electronic Effects and Switcher Functions
  

Chapter 15 - Design

• Section 15.1 Designing and Using Television Graphics
  
• Section 15.2 – Scenery and Props
  

Chapter 16 – Television Talent

• Section 16.1 – Television Performers and Actors
  
• Section 16.2 – How to Do Makeup and What to Wear
  

Week 9 – PART II: STUDIO PRODUCTION - Class hours – 1pm – 4:50pm  

                                 MEET IN ATLAS PRODUCTION STUDIO - LEVEL B-2 IN ATLAS BUILDING

 

Tuesday, 23 Oct. – Introduction to the Studio

Lecture: Directing

READING:       

Chapter 17 - The Director in Production

• Section 17.1 – Multi-camera Control Room Directing
  
• Section 17.2 – Single-camera and Digital Cinema Directing
  

Chapter 10 – Audio Sound Control

• Section 10.1 - Sound Controls and Recording
  
• Section 10.2 – Stereo, Surround Sound, and Sound Aesthetics
  

 

Thursday, 25 Oct. – Instruction: Use of Studio Equipment

•  Cameras and Microphones
  
• Video Switcher
  
• Character Generator
  
• Audio Board
  
• Practice Directing
• DISCUSS STUDIO INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT      

WEEKEND READING: 

Review Chapters 10, 14, & 17

Chapter 15 - Design

• Section 15.1 - Designing and Using Television Graphics
  
• Section 15.2 - Scenery and Props
  

WEEKEND HOMEWORK: 

Write your director’s cheat-sheets      

 

Week 10

Tuesday,  30 Oct.– Make-up Session

• On-camera performance
  
• What to wear
  
• Make-up
  

Thursday, 1 Nov. –  PRACTICE STUDIO INTERVIEW SESSIONS        

 

Week 11

Tuesday, 6 Nov. - BEGIN STUDIO INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT

                                   

Thursday, 8 Nov. -  FINISH STUDIO INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT

                                                                                              DISCUSS NEWS BREAK ASSIGNMENT

 

Week 12

Tuesday, 13 Nov. – BEGIN NEWS BREAK ASSIGNMENT

 

Thursday, 15 Nov. – EXTRA CREDIT DOCUMENTARY SCREENING        

 

Week 13 - Fall Break!!!!

                                                              

Week 14

Tuesday, 27 Nov. – CONTINUE NEWS BREAK ASSIGNMENT

 

Thursday, 29 Nov. – FINISH NEWS BREAK ASSIGNMENT

QUIZ #3

 

Week 15

Tuesday, 4 Dec – BEGIN FINAL PROJECT

Thursday, 6 Dec. – CONTINUE FINAL PROJECT

Week 16

Tuesday, 11 Dec. – CONTINUE FINAL PROJECT

Thursday, 13 Dec. – FINISH FINAL PROJECT

HAND-OUT TAKE-HOME FINAL – due by Monday, 17 Dec. at 5pm!

Diversity Statement

Students should become aware of diversity issues, including people, cultures, beliefs, interests and opinions of those who are marginalized and disadvantaged, who frequently see themselves being either misrepresented or excluded from the prevailing narratives of their societies.  Journalists often compound diversity problems by repeating assumptions and pedaling bias and stereotypes in their work. Please become aware.  

Policies and Regulations

Attendance and Participation: Officially, this class runs from 1p until 4:50pm. During the lecture portion of the semester (field work) the usual hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm until 2:50. However, some of these days might require overtime work.  During the studio half of the semester, class will meet from 1p until 4:50pm at the latest for the lab (studio) work. In most circumstances, we will rarely have to stay until 4:50p. The student is responsible for notifying the instructor of their absence via email AND phone. Extended absences due to illness will require a doctor’s note. I am willing to work with students who have extracurricular activities (cheerleading, football, etc) that are scheduled during class. Work or internships will not be counted as an excused activity. Students should not schedule other activities (work or meetings) during the allotted time for class. Participation comes from attending class and actively involving yourself in discussions and team assignments.

Punctuality and Reliability: Tardiness is disruptive to the class. Please let me know if getting to class on time will be an issue. Otherwise, tardiness will be considered an unexcused absence. Students should learn to be 15 minutes early to everything they attend. Class starts promptly and attendance will be taken.

Class Behaviour: Please disengage all mobile devices and laptops. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities.  

Appointments and Tutoring: I’m always willing to give one-on-one instruction. Make an appointment. If you leave messages by phone I will endeavour to call back within an hour of getting your message. I am available after class and during office hours.

JMC Student Competencies and Values:

1) Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

2) Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

3) Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in American society and in a global society in relationship to communication.

4) Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.

5) Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.

6) Think critically, creatively and independently.

7) Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

8) Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

9) Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

10) Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

11) Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work

University Policies:

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  In this class, please give me adequate notice if you have any conflict between religious observance and coursework. I will fully comply with your religious needs by helping you make other accommodations. To learn more about the campus policies, full details can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/about/policies

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://hr.colorado.edu/dh/Pages/default.aspx

Academic Dishonesty:

All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://honorcode.colorado.edu/about-honor-code  and at http://spot.colorado.edu/~adler/honor_code.htm