CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION

LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

FACTUAL PROGRAMME PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR TELEVISION

Unit 27 LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4

Unit 3 LO2; LO3

Sarah Wilson; Adam Jones; James Ashford & Alan Gubby

Date Issued: 11th April 2016

Final Deadline: 24th June 2016

Aim and purpose

This unit aims to provide you with the opportunity to develop the full range of skills needed for factual programme production, from researching and planning of productions through to the production process.

Unit introduction

Factual programme production is one of the largest areas of television output, providing an extensive range of opportunities and professional roles within the industry.

This sector is the prime communicator of information in relation to worldwide events, local issues or opinion, and attitudes within society and communities, from the most serious global issues to the purely entertaining. It provides enormous scope for potential production ideas.

The genre includes news, documentary, educational, magazine, discussion, review, chat show, special interest (hobby, makeover, and how-to formats), ‘reality’ TV and other sub-genres. It involves engagement with the key media issues of representation, access, objectivity, subjectivity and communication of meaning.

This unit builds on general pre-production, production and production management skills and provides opportunities to develop more advanced specialist skills such as broadcast journalism, interview and presentation techniques and the professionalism required when working with the public.

Though ‘factual’ is the basic definition of the genre there is a wide range of opportunities for the development of creativity both within the production process and in the topic or subject content, including opportunities for you to work on projects that you find personally interesting and challenging.

On completion of this unit you should:

1. Understand issues relating to factual programming for television 2. Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television 3. Be able to plan and research a factual programme for television 4. Be able to produce a factual programme for television.

Introduction to unit:

U27 LO2: Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television

U27 LO3.1: Research a factual programme for Television

U3 LO2 & LO3: Be able to apply a range of research methods and techniques & be able to present results of research

Task Description:

Before you embark on planning and producing a factual programme for Vibe Productions, we would like you to look at all the different genres and conventions within this category. This will help you decide which sort of factual programme you would like to create and how to produce it to professional standards.

In order to research correctly and professionally you must also REFERENCE all your work. Using this website https://www.refme.com/uk/ you will be able to reference correctly. You will need to sign up but it is free and will do all your referencing for you.

NB: You will not pass this unit if you do not use this reference tool

Task 1:

U27 LO3.1 Research

You are required to create an INTERACTIVE PowerPoint with definitions, conventions and examples with YouTube clips (you must EXPLAIN why the examples fit into the category)

Genres:

1. News 2. Documentary 3. Docudrama 4. Docusoap 5. Infotainment 6. ‘Reality’ TV 7. Educational 8. Wildlife 9. Special interest 10. Makeover 11. Magazine 12. Discussion 13. Review 14. Chat show

You should have 2 slides per genre

• Slide 1: Definition Convention Reference section

• Slide 2: Illustration, which is hyperlinked to an example explanation as to why this fit the genre Reference section

An example of how PowerPoint should look can be found on vibe or here

Task 2:

U27 LO2.1 News

You are required to produce a FILMED PRODUCTION covering the following conventions of a factual News Show

1. Studio news readers 2. Field reporters 3. Links to studio 4. Mode of address to viewer 5. Interviewing 6. Experts and witnesses 7. Report structure 8. Actuality footage

For each convention you are required to produce THREE pieces of evidence to document your understanding

1. A text screen with the definition plus REFERENCE of each and an explanation as to why they are important

2. An example of it being used in a news show (just a section – not the whole report) with a REFERENCE link to where it came from

3. A recreation that you have made

An example can be found on Vibe Productions website

Task 3:

U27 LO2.2 Documentary

You are required to create a WRITTEN REPORT covering the following conventions of a documentary

1. Documentary formats

• Expository • Observational • Interactive • Reflexive • Performative

2. Realism 3. Dramatisation 4. Narrativisation

Your report should contain:

1. Title of type of documentary 2. Definition (with reference to website) 3. An example of that type of

documentary (illustration with hyperlink) 4. An explanation as to why the example fits the convention

U27 LO1 Understand issues relating to factual programming for television

U27 LO3 Be able to plan and research a factual programme for television

Task Description

Vibe productions would like you to plan and produce a NINE-MINUTE factual programme. You must stick to this length (no shorter or longer), as it will be broadcast in a 10-minute time slot on TV.

Opening and end credits will not count in the 9 minutes but must be added

Guidance on developing an idea

Out of the mass of possible material, the documentary maker chooses a topic. It does not just come out of thin air and it is not objective or neutral.

A range of factors, including your own life experiences, personality and political beliefs, will influence the topic you choose.

Ask 4 questions of your topic before you proceed:

1. Do I already have some knowledge and opinions about this topic?

2. Is this a subject I have a strong emotional connection with?

3. What is unusual or interesting about it?

4. How narrowly can the programme focus its attention?

Representing and visualising the topic

Once the topic has been decided upon you then have to start making choices. Certain people, places or events can be carefully selected to create a point of view (exposition). Despite this selection process, the documentary needs to retain a certain degree of reality.

Research

As with any line of enquiry or development of an argument you need to be well researched. A documentary filmmaker will undertake this in several areas.

1. Facts: essential in order to make the documentary believable. These can be left for the viewer to interpret however they choose or they may be influenced by the context of the documentary.

2. Visuals. The main question to ask is what can be shown in the context of taste, decency and ethics. Archive footage is often used and as with fictional film making, camera shots can determine how the audience feels about a subject.

3. Interviews. The actual questions asked could determine how the audience feels about the person being interviewed. The interviewer can choose to be sympathetic or antagonistic.

4. Vox Pops. This is the ‘voice of the people’. The technique consists of street interviews of the general public that is used to highlight either a general agreement or a contrast of opinions.

Having carried out this research the exposition becomes possible. But how is the conclusion of this argument / documentary reached?

Narrative conventions of documentaries

Documentaries are an ‘interpretation of reality’ and therefore follow the same conventions as films. Unsurprisingly we would expect to see a beginning middle and end, within which there is a sense of progression and at some point a conflict.

Your documentary should highlight both a problem and an answer / solution.

Task 4:

U27 LO3.2: Develop Ideas

a. Brainstorm of ideas

BANNED TOPICS: Drugs (all forms) Alcohol House parties Skateboarding (unless your report is news worthy and factual)

b. Subject Knowledge: List what you know about subject already

(personal experience; hobby; interested in topic – you must know something about the topic and have an opinion on it)

c. Programme concept: Outline of documentary and the aim of the programme – What is the point of the programme? What is the viewer going to learn?

d. Target Audience

e. Development techniques • Creation of narrative – outline the beginning middle and end of

your production • Scenario – what format will your documentary take? • Synopsis – Write a Radio Times synopsis on your documentary

(equivalent to information button on sky) • Research process – What will you research and who will you talk to /

interview • Interview questions – what questions will you need to ask to find the

answers / information on your topic

U27 LO3.3: Research

You need to undertake EXTENSIVE research into your topic before you can start to produce a programme. This research MUST be referenced using this website https://www.refme.com/uk/

You must research your topic and print screen and upload ALL research. This includes chats with people, emails from experts, list of people you will be interviewing in your production as well as for information and obtaining many points of view on your topic.

a. Primary sources

• Contacts • Interviews

b. Secondary sources,

• Broadcasts • Reviews • Internet • Archives • Checking information

ALL RESEARCH MUST BE REFERENCED USING THE HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM – YOUWILL FAIL THIS TASK IF YOU DO NOT REFERENCE YOUR WORK

U27 LO1: Issues relating to your documentary

You must now look at the issues you will face with regard to opinion and bias slants

For each of the below issues you are required to:

1. Explain what each issues means and why it is important in factual programmes

2. Detail how you are going to overcome these issues in your documentary

a. Opinion and bias (what is YOUR opinion – what is the opposite) b. Accuracy (How are you going to gain facts and make it accurate) c. Balance and impartiality (How are you going to make your

documentary balanced – do not just put ‘I will show both sides of the story’ – what are they and how will this balance your programme?

d. Objectivity and subjectivity e. Representation – Who is being represented and is it fairly or are you

leaning towards your opinion of that person? f. Access and privacy – What access do you have are you invading

anyone’s privacy gaining the information? g. Contract with viewer – What are you promising the viewer and how are

you going to stick to it?

U27 LO3.4: Legal and ethical considerations

Now you have looked at issues relating to your production you need to make sure your documentary follows all legal and ethical regulations

a. Are you filming in public? This includes the street, someone else’s home, shops and the studio. If so you need to ask permission and gain evidence that this permission has been granted via email.

b. Are you using archive footage? Do you need permission to use it? Do you have a reference for the footage in order to put on screen?

c. Are you secretly filming on location? Will you invade anyone’s privacy? d. Is the angle / plot of your production going to offend an individual or

group? Is there a chance you will be sued for defamation or be libel for a lawsuit due to content?

e. You need to make sure you have followed the requirements of the Broadcasting act 1994, you follow the BBC producer’s guidelines and you stay with the OFCOM regulations. All of these can be found here or at

This research MUST be referenced using this website https://www.refme.com/uk/

U27 LO3.5: Planning

In order for your production to run smoothly you are required to plan you documentary.

a. Do you have a crew? What are their roles and responsibilities (use professional terms)? If you are working independently what roles will you need to take on for it to be a successful production?

b. Complete a production schedule – this is to include interviewing, vox pops, footage, and editing (post production – to include sounds and credits)

c. List of interviews with contact details and times of interviews, phone conversations and meetings.

d. Location recce for ALL locations including studio, houses and outdoor locations

e. Budget: this to include transport, drinks, phone conversations f. Risk assessment g. Any documentation you may have required (email confirmation,

location confirmation, archive footage referencing)

U27 LO3.6: Proposal

Now you have all your research you are required to put together a proposal

• Title of production • Channel it will be aired on • Subject idea – Make it personal – discuss why this subject is important to

you • Intended aim • Audience • Format • Genre • Style • Budget

This proposal must be professional in its layout and content. Many proposals can be found at

http://www.jeromefdn.org/sites/default/files/FV%20Sample%20Booklet.pdf

Task 5

U27 LO4: Be able to produce a factual programme for television

Task Description

Vibe Productions wishes you to produce your 9-minute factual programme to near professional standards using the correct production techniques. You will also be judged on your production management and must monitor progress, write down issues and how problems were solved. All booking forms must be uploaded (studio and equipment)

U27 LO4.1: Production

Your production must have the following

• Opening credits with sound • Introduction • Moving images (cut away, general view, location footage, archive

footage) • Interviews • Scripted pieces to camera • Narration • Studio and location shoots • Conclusion • End Credits • Sounds (ambient sounds, narrative building sounds, music)

Your production must have a beginning / middle and end and must follow a straightforward narrative with a solution / end thought at the end.

You will get marked on your narrative structure, interviews, location shoots, camera work in studio, sounds and conclusion as well as editing skills and cut

away / location clips.

U27 LO4.2: Production management

You must complete a logbook of how you managed your production

Your booklet / web page must include:

a. Monitoring progress b. Identifying and solving problems c. Production organisation, e.g. call sheets, equipment booking,

location management, logistics management

U27 LO4.3: Editing

Through your editing skills you must:

a. Create narrative b. Convey meaning c. Illustrate topic

There will be no blank spaces, no sound errors and your edits will run smoothly.

Grading Criteria

Employer engagement and vocational contexts

Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the creative media sector, has a substantial section of its website dedicated to careers, including job descriptions – www.skillset.org/careers/.

Further general information on work-related learning can be found at the following websites:

1. www.aimhighersw.ac.uk/wbl.htm – work-based learning guidance 2. www.businesslink.gov.uk – local, regional business links 3. www.nebpn.org – National Education and Business Partnership Network 4. www.vocationallearning.org.uk – Learning and Skills Network 5. www.warwick.ac.uk/wie/cei/ – Centre for Education and Industry, University of Warwick –

work experience and workplace learning frameworks.

Indicative reading for learners

Textbooks

• Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Student Book (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846906725

• Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource Pack (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846907371

• Adams S – Interviewing for Journalists (Routledge, 2009) ISBN 978-0415477758 • Barnouw E – Documentary (Oxford University Press, 1992) ISBN 978-0195078985 • Berger A – Media Analysis Techniques (Sage, 2004) ISBN 978-1412906838 • Boyd A – Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News (Focal Press, 2008) ISBN

978-0240810249 • Bruzzi S – New Documentary: An Introduction (Routledge, 2006) ISBN 978-0415385244 • Dovey J – Freakshow: First Person Media and Factual Television (Pluto Press, 2000) ISBN 978-

0745314501 • Emm A – Research for Television and Radio (Routledge, 2002) ISBN 978-0415243889 • Evans R – Practical DV Film Making (Focal Press, 2005) ISBN 978-0240807386 • Evans H – Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers (Pimlico, 2000) ISBN 978-0712664479 • Hartley J – Television Truths: Forms of Knowledge in Popular Culture (Whiley Blackwell, 2007) ISBN

978-1405169790 • Hicks W – Writing for Journalists (Routledge, 2008) ISBN 978-0415460217 • Jarvis P – The Essential TV Directors Handbook (Focal Press, 1998) ISBN 978-0240515038 • Jones C and Joliffe G – The Guerrilla Film Makers Handbook (Continuum, 2006) ISBN 978-0826479884 • Rabiger M – Directing the Documentary (Focal Press, 2009) ISBN 978-0240810898 • Rudin R and Ibbotson T – An Introduction to Journalism: Essential Techniques and Background

Knowledge (Focal Press, 2003) ISBN 978-0240516349 • Winston B – Claiming the Real (British Film Institute, 2008) ISBN 978-1844572717 Journals

Broadcast The Journalist

Websites

• www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines – BBC producers’ guidelines • www.bbctraining.com/journalism.asp – BBC online training modules including links to modules on

interviewing for radio; streaming content and text versions available