Introduction to Television ProductionIntroduction to Television ProductionCommunication/Theatre 341Fall Semester 2007Course Location: Stables Theatre Bldg. Room 114Instructor: Konrad WintersOffice: Stables Theatre 113Phone: 683-5174Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.odu.edu/~kwinters/courselinks.htmOffice Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday 11am-Noon or by arrangement.COURSE DESCRIPTION:The purpose of this course is to explore and understand the basic process of television production from script through production to presentation.CAUTIONS:1) It should be understood that a significant amount of time is necessary to successfully complete the assignments for this course. Many of the projects in this course are team oriented and a difficult personal schedule may compromise the workof your group. If you have a difficult schedule (in academics as well as outside work or just a generally hectic life) it's advisable that you withdraw from this course now and take it at a time when your life is more manageable….not kidding!2) Due to the advanced nature of this course it is strongly advised that unless the student has been introduced to lighting fundamentals in previous courses (Theatre 244: Introduction to Scenery and Lighting, Communication/Theatre 370 The Video Project, Communication/Theatre 395 Cinematography, or a course in digital photography) or through significant practical experience, that they should withdraw from the course and take it in the future after they have completed one or more of the above listed courses).3) All project work submitted for evaluation should be considered by the student to be at portfolio level. Evaluations will be based on the successful completion of the project and its value to the student's portfolio or reel. (See evaluation criteria listed later in this syllabus.)COURSE OBJECTIVES:1. Understanding of the basic concepts of television production2. Demonstrate an understanding of the operation of television production equipment3.Demonstrate the fundamentals of development of the short documentary script for television production.COURSE TEXT AND SUPPLIMENTARY MATERIALS:The Art of Video Production by Leonard Shyles. Sage Publications, current edition. Available through the University Bookstore or online (Amazon.com,Half.com, etc.)ATTENDANCE:Students will be allowed 3 absences before penalties will be administered. Further absences will result in an overall letter grade reduction of 1/2 letter grade for each additional absence (for example if your work in class would normally earn you an A but you have 4 absences, your overall grade would be and A-). If you are absent from a scheduled shoot or team assignment that is considered the same as a class absence.Tardiness or Leaving Early: (Roll is taken at the beginning of each class period.) If youarrive later than 15 minutes after the scheduled class start time you will be marked Late. If you leave before the class is dismissed you will be marked Late. Three late marks will equal one absence.PROJECTS:1. Develop and Pitch a Concept for a five minute documentary segment centered on the theme of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Each student will research, develop, and pitch a concept for a five minute documentary segment whichwill be evaluated and refined for project #2.2. Develop a script for a five minute documentary segment centered on the theme of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Each student will develop a script pitched in Project #1. These script will be juried by the class and 5 will be selected for production.3. Produce/ Direct/ Edit/ or Crew a five minute documentary segment selected from one of the scripts developed for project #2. Each student will participate in production of one or more of the five selected scripts from Project #2. Students participating as Writer/Producer or Writer/Director will only work on one of the scripts.Students participating as Editor, Camera Operator, Sound Operator, or Crew need to participate in at least two projects.4. Develop (as a class project) a 20-30 minute television program that utilizes the documentary segments developed for project #3.GRADE BREAKDOWN:Project #1…………………….….10%Project #2…………………….….20%Project #3…………………….….40%Project #4…………………….….10%Attendance & Participation…..20%EVALUATIVE CRITERIA:To be presented as each project is assigned.CLASS SCHEDULE:Week 1: Course Syllabus & Introduction to the Course, Chapter 3: How Television WorksWeek 2: Chapter 13 – Developing the Treatment and Writing the Short Documentary FilmThree QuestionsWeek 3: Chapter 4 & 5- Lighting for TelevisionThree QuestionsWeek 4: Chapter 6 – Using the CameraThree QuestionsWeek 5: Chapter 7 & 8 – Audio Production and AestheticsThree QuestionsWeek 6: Chapter 9 – Graphics and Scenic Design for TelevisionThree QuestionsWeek 7: Chapter 11 – Field Production – Working on LocationInterviewing TechniquesThree QuestionsWeek 8: Chapter 12 – EditingThree QuestionsWeek 9: Chapter 14 – Producing and DirectingWeek 10: TBAWeek 11: TBAWeek 12: TBAWeek 13: Working in the Studio (Project 4)Week 14: Working in the Studio (Project