TV Production Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course Title: TV Production
Semester: Full Year, Sophmores
Email: jlazarski@pcti.tec.nj.us
Website: http://pctitv.weebly.com

Course Objective: The goal of this course is to provide students with hands-on experience in the
various crew positions and job roles that exist in the field of TV Production and Digital Media.
Students will leave the program prepared for the 21st-Century work force of the media by engaging in
lessons designed to focus on creating media, enhancing communication and effective production
techniques.
Course Summary:
The class involves a variety of project that will allow students to create media, learning how to craft
messages so they can better communicate with the world around them. Additionally, this class focuses
heavily on video production skills that will incorporate cooperative grouping, planning, research,
teamwork, writing, and visual literacy. By using higher order thinking activities, students will learn not
only work ethic, but also application of life skills that can translate to a real-world working
environment.
Texts, Readings, Materials: Please have a Notebook and Flash Drive (or access to Google Drive).
Credit Breakdown:
30%-Tests
30%-Projects/Videos
20%-Class Participation
20%-Homework
100%
Formal (Tests-30%) & Performance Based Grades (Video Projects-30%):
1- Tests or Quizzes are given on Quia.com, an online test website unless modifications are being used.
2- Performance Based Assessments (Video Projects) will be scored by a Rubrics usually attached to the weebly website on that projects outline page.
Class Participation (20%): Class Participation will be based on observations, class discussions, in class activities and collaboration with classmates or
diligence when working on a project. If you are on a site you dont belong on, you will lose credit in this category.
Homework (20%): Homework will likely be given only when necessary for reflective purposes or reinforcement of something learned in class on our
class Blog (see website for how to find the Homework blog).
Final Exam: There will be an end of year course assessment that reflect content covered over the course of the year.

Course Outline of Topics/Expected Time Frame

Lesson
Class Syllabus / Equipment
Contract / Website Introductions
and Overall Class Expectations
History of Television
& Future of Digital Media
Portfolio Creations
Introduction to using a MAC,
Writing a Script, learning shot
types, shot moves.
Understanding Shot Types & Moves
Event Coverage Booked
All About Me Video Project
Introduced
Assessments during this month will
include:

New Skill Reinforced

The first week of the course students learn the class room rules and analyze our
Equipment Use Policies. Students will learn what their expectations are for outside
projects and understand my expectations for use of Macs, cameras, & homework.
The second week of this course will be spent briefly discussing the history of media/TV.
We will explore various 21st Century tools and websites useful to todays learner. We will
setup up our students portfolios, which will contain our projects.
The third week of this course we will discuss the importance of Media messages.
Students will learn shot types, moves and analyze the media they consume. Students will
also begin creating their own media message by creating a project about themselves
called the All About Me. Students will be expected to write a script, adding voice-over
to it and adding photos and/or videos set to music called an All About Me. All About
Me Script Due __________.
In the last week of this months course, students should have already collected photos or
video clips they will edit into their All About Me video. Students will begin editing the
All About Me, due Oct 23rd.
-All About Me Video Script Due Sept.30th.
-Shot Types Quiz Oct. 2
-Shot Moves Quiz-Oct. 2
In the first week of this months course, students should have already collected photos or

Expected Time
Frame

September

All About Me Editing

Event Video Project Roll Out &

Interviewing Techniques

Final Cut Express Tools and

Editing Terms & B-roll

Interviewing Practice &

Scriptwriting
Assessments during this month will
include:
EVENT Video Project EDIT

video clips they will edit into their All About Me video. Students will begin learning
the software Final Cut Express, in order to begin editing their All About Me projects due
Oct 23rd. Students must BOOK their Event Video Project by _______.
(see below for EVENT details).
By the second week of this months course, students will watch and critique the All
About Me Projects. We will then learn how to write a 2-column script while for
Upcoming Event Video Project. Students will be filming these events for homework,
outside of class.
By the third week, students will apply terms and techniques to edit Final Cut Express
Software learning how to add B-roll. We will also focus on some On-Camera Techniques
for students shooting in Groups for MSG Varsity School/Sport Event Coverage. Students
will practice the use of good eye contact, posture, speaking skills and interest in the
subject matter and will evaluate a recorded interview exchange between their classmates
for review and constructive criticism, and more importantly on camera practice.
Students must perform techniques taught in groups.
By the fourth week, we will write and review your scripts for the Interview Projects.
-All About Me Projects Due ________.
-Interview Script (Formal Written)-details to follow & B-roll must be added. Due
________.
The 1st week students will begin editing the footage filmed for their Event Video
Project. You will incorporate B-roll, Effects, Scriptwriting, Voice-Overs, and Music to
create a highlight video.

EVENT Video Project EDIT

continued.

The 2nd week students will continue to edit the Event Video Project as needed,
incorporating an interview and techniques taught in our Final Cut Tool Pallet.

EVENT Video Project EDIT

concluded

The third week students will continue to edit, add Voice Overs, music and then export
their videos.

Assessments during this month will

include:
Functions of Storyboards

October

The last week of the month will involve Event Video Critiques
Assessments during this month will include:
Event Video Project Due-_________
Nov 30-Dec 4: **Real 1st week of class for this year ***

November

December

During the first week of this month, students be asked to storyboard a script for a PSA
and create a digital storyboard using readwritethink.orgs online storyboarding feature to
better understand concepts of:
1-Purpose/Sequencing-Matching Scripts
2-Application of storyboards: When & How are they used?
3-Visual Representation of Scripts for camera purposes

Interview Project Edits

Digital Media Tools

Dec 7-11:
During the second week of the month, students will film their PSA projects for the
Passaic County Film Festival.
Dec 14-18:
Duringthethirdweekofthismonth,studentswilledittheirPSAprojectsPassaicCounty
FilmFestival.
Dec2123:
CritiqueofPSAProjects,ReflectionsDue.

Interviewing Overview

Interview Filming
Interview Editing

Assessments during this month will include:

1.
Creation of a Storyboard
2.
PSA Project
3.
Reflections
Jan 4-8: During the first week of the month, students will be learning the Rules of an
Interview, Equipment Setup, X Axis, and TV Terms as it applies to an interview
package
Jan 11-15: During the second week of this course students will film an on camera
interview Features and create a school related package.
Jan 19-22: During the third week of the month, students will edit the interview feature
package.
Assessments during this month will include:
1- Feature Interview Package Video
2- Quiz on TV Interviewing Terms

January

News Script Writing

Feb 1-5: During the first week of this month, students will learn how to write a news
story and will analyze the various roles and video elements of news within the TV
Production Industry.

Filming a News Package

Feb 8-12: During the second week of this month, students will break up into groups and
write news storys and plan to film a news package.

Editing a News Package

Feb 15-19: During the third week of this month, students will edit their news packages
and prepare to film an studio based newscast.

Rolling in the Package

Feb 22-26 During the fouth week of this month, students will rotate in crew roles and
tape their newscasts, learning various crew positions roles and responsibilities while
doing so.

February

Assessments during this month will include:

1- News Script
2- News Package Video
3- Crew Job News Taping Rotations
Analysis of a Music Video

Scriptwriting for a Music Video

Feb 29- March 4: During the first week of this month, students will analyze various
music videos, identifying the key elements that are incorporated into the videos: cutting
to beats, fast shots, visual storytelling, and sequencing.

March

March 7-11: During the second week of this month, students will spend time writing
their song (or finding a song), and writing the script according to the lyrics.

Filming a Music Video

March 14-18: During the third week of this month, students will film their music videos
(Preferably in class)

Editing a Music Video

March 21-25: During the fourth week of this month, students will edit their music
videos.
March 28-31: During the final week of this month, students will watch and offer critique
and self-reflections.
Assessments during this month will include:
1- Music Video Script
2- Music Video (edited)
3- Reflection and Critiques
April

Demonstration Brainstorming &

Scriptwriting

April 11-15: In this first week after our spring break, students will learn how to use
various shot types to film a demonstration video. Students will analyze various types of
demonstrative videos, and begin writing a demonstration video for a product they wish
to demonstrate to an audience.
April 18-22: Students will begin filming in the studio, learning about multi-camera
studio operations, shot sheets, rundowns and performing in various crew positions.

Demonstration in studio production

rotations

April 25-29: Students will continue to film in the studio, learning about multi-camera
studio operations, shot sheets, rundowns and performing in various crew positions.
Assessments during this month will include:
1- Demonstration Script
2- Demonstration Final Video
3- Crew Position Rotation Grade
Reflection and Critiques

Analysis of a Documentary

May 2-6- Students will begin analysis of a documentary, and what goes into creating
one. We will discuss storytelling techniques using soundbites, b-roll, camera and editing
techniques. Students will identify a topic theyd like to cover for a 10 minute
documentary.

Analysis of a Talk show or 3 person

interaction

May 9-13- Students will begin checking out cameras for their documentary filming for
homework, while during class time, students will be given the choice of writing a script
for an on camera talk show or 3 person interaction on set.

Filming of Shows

May 16-20-Students will continue to check out cameras as needed to film their
documentary for homework, while in class we plan to film in the studio the talk show or
3 person interaction on set.

Filming of Shows continued.

May 23-27-Students will continue to check out cameras as needed to film their
documentary for homework, while in class we plan to film in the studio the talk show or
3 person interaction on set. Concluding the tapings in the class this week.
Assessments during this month will include:
1- 1st Benchmark Check for Documentary Script
2- Script for 3 person interaction/Talk Show
3- Crew Position Rotation Grade for tapings of 3 person interaction / Talk
shows
Reflection and Critiques
This month will be dedicated to students editing their Documentary projects.
Final Documentary is due ________.

Documentary Concludes

May

June

RULES and CONSEQUENCES:

Rule #1-Come Ready to Work (Be on time and come prepared with Notebook/Journal, Pencil or Pen and Homework).
Rule #2-Respectful the Equipment and Each Other NO EATING /DRINKING IN THE ROOM.
Rule #3-Missing work is your responsibility (It is your responsibility to find out what you missed if absent).
Rule #4- AFTER BELL-NO FIRST 5 minutes and NO LAST 5 minutes of our class.
Rule #5-Do Not go on websites that have NOTHING to do with the task at hand! YOU must be on TASK at all times.
Consequences if rules are broken-I will enforce the Code of Conduct, will call home and send you to the Assistant Principal if needed.

Looking Forward to a Great Year!