J372D Television Producing

Fall 2009

Tuesday 1-3, Thursday 1-5

Professor/News Director: Dr. Kris M. Wilson

drkris@mail.utexas.edu CMA 5.134E (471-4975)

Teaching Assistant/Executive Producer: Joon Lee joonylee@mail.utexas.edu(512-809-8290)

Final Cut Pro Teaching Assistant: Harsh Kalan

CLASS OBJECTIVES:

Congratulations on succeeding in the first two courses in the broadcast news sequence and welcome to the capstone class. We will continue to build upon the important fundamentals originally introduced in the radio and TV news reporting classes and bring focus and experience to the broadcast area with the greatest growth and potential---PRODUCING.

As our text says, and several of our guest speakers are also likely to reinforce, producers provide leadership and exert tremendous power in the newsroom. And there aren't nearly enough of them, especially good ones, to meet the increasing demand. This course is unique compared to many other educational programs and will allow you an opportunity to develop producing skills that encourage you to be well-rounded. It is our goal that each of you could obtain any entry-level position in a newsroom upon graduation, and for those of you who want to produce (or find out through this experience that you do), opportunities abound.

This class will require that you already have "mastered" good broadcast writing and style, video sequencing, non-linear editing, interviewing and story-telling techniques, so that this semester you can add producing skills to your repertoire. While the primary purpose of this course is to produce a weekly half-hour newscast on deadline, each of you will also continue to perfect your reporting, shooting, and editing skills. In some weeks you may be co-anchoring the show and writing copy or reporting a package and shooting and editing a vo/sot for the show. You will each also get the opportunity to learn various control room responsibilities ranging from audio and character generator to teleprompter. Each week a rotating assignment of duties will occur. We will produce 8 shows (including a mock newscast)--not everyone will produce a show, but those who don't will AP.

COURSE EVALUATION

You're accustomed to this by now, but this course and this career, will demand a LOT from all of us. As with J322, we function as a team to produce our weekly program. Each of us must perform our duties as professionals and with 110% effort. Any "weak link" will result in a domino theory of dysfunction. Take your responsibilities seriously, work together with skill and cordiality, and we will all enjoy the process while we learn.

Please come to class prepared each day. Complete reading assignments in advance, be ready for story meetings, know what is happening in the news and be prepared to participate in class discussions.

In order to be as consistent and "objective" as possible in grading, each of you will be evaluated in these areas:

Reporting/Photography (demo reel) =60%

Producer/AP =25%

Class Exercises/newscast assignments =15%

TOTAL =100%

Each and every unexcused absence will cost you 5% of your grade. If you're going to miss class for any reason, you must contact me, in ADVANCE. Shooting/Reporting a story is not an excused absence. Deadlines must be met. Late work will not be accepted and will earn a "0" on that assignment. There will be some course release time to compensate for extra hours worked.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Six or more mini-DV tapes (Sony Brand)

• "Managing Television News: A Handbook for Ethical and Effective Producing," B. William Silcock, Don Heider, Mary T. Rogus, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers

• Headphones to plug into camera/decks

• A newspaper subscription/on-line access (beyond Daily Texan)

• A television to regularly watch news programs

FINAL THOUGHTS

Technology provides the tools that help you as a journalist. Pay close attention to the class demonstrations, practice early and often before deadlines to reduce the discomfort with the learning curve. We have excellent teaching assistants who willingly provide guidance and expertise, but it is up to YOU to learn the skills that will make you prepared and desirable upon graduation.

This is our last opportunity to work together--let's make it a successful, fun and rewarding semester.