MEDIA ARTS CAREERS: TV Production & Broadcasting

VOCABULARY:
VIDEO:  from the Latin  verb VIDIERE,   to see
AUDIO:  from the Latin verb AUDIERE,   to hear
EDIT :  to rearrange in order, delete ,or add to a creative work to make the message optimal

1. Open MEDIA CAREERS notebook. Have a pen handy. Watch all videos  in the VIDEO PRODUCTION: Behind the Scenes series. There are a LOT!! But it's important to get a feel for the total organization that is behind producing each show.  
2. PAUSE during each video to make notes about any interesting FACTS, OPINIONS or interesting quotes that are memorable.
3. WRITE AT LEAST 4 SENTENCES ABOUT EACH INTERVIEW & SOMETHING YOU LEARNED.
4. Repeat this with ALL VIDEOS, even the ones that speak to a job that you may not be interested in. "Why is watching ALL THE VIDEOS  important?" [Because in media, many people have to work together to produce the "product" and the parameters and challenges of each job must be respected by all.]
5. Discuss with classmates which jobs appeal to each of you & why. 
6. MORE PREPARATION: Watch the videos on STORYBOARDING & also CAMERA SHOTS [extreme close-up, close-up, medium shot, wide shot]
7. Look in RESOURCES, there is a STORYBOARD for you to download & print, or just freehand if you want. 
 A storyboard is a "plan" or diagram  which shows what is happening in each scene of the production, and looks very much like a comic strip in the comics.
[ Each horizontal line of blocks represents 1 CAMERA SHOT in your production.]

HERE ARE THE A,B,C,D, & E OF STORYBOARDING [ You will use these later!]
A) Starting on the left:  Write number 1 in the small block, because it's your 1st camera shot 
B) NEXT: move to next small box on the right: note what type of  camera shot will be used
C) NEXT: move to the next LARGE block to the right & draw a rough sketch of the visuals of what is SEEN  ["video"] 
D) Moving right to next large block...Write what the narrator or actor SAYS [" audio"] in that "shot" of the program 
E) Moving right to the last small block... make notes on any music or sound effects [sfx] heard by audience ["audio"] needed in that scene

 A storyboard is ESSENTIAL to have an organized idea of what you need to prepare ahead of time, so you'll make sure that all the parts of the story you need are filmed.

EACH STUDENT SEPARATELY:

STEP 1) - PRACTICE MAKING YOUR OWN STORYBOARD: On scrap paper, invent a new candy or toy for a 6-10 year old, invent your "name" for the product. Sketch a "first-draft" picture of the product. 
STEP 2) - USING A COPY OF THE STORYBOARD, fill in blocks for: camera shots, visuals, audio, & music/sfx.  
STEP 3) - AFTER YOU FINISH, share with your teacher and then with the other members of your group when they're finished with their storyboards.

NOW IT IS TIME TO ORGANIZE WITH SEVERAL OTHER STUDENTS TO PRODUCE AN INFORMATIONAL VIDEO.

• CHOOSE JOBS: [Depending on # of students involved, 1 person may need to cover 2 jobs that don't conflict.
• host-announcer-writer-researcher ["on camera talent"]- This person will interview people or if it's not an interview, they will write the narration and practice speaking with expression.
• producer/director [will schedule the interview, if that's included in the production/reserve a room in which to film, where it's quiet and will not be disturbed/ will fill out the storyboard BEFORE the production, with help of the group, and will keep track of the storyboard during production and note any changes that occur]
• camera operator [will operate the camera, practicing in spare time to zoom in, zoom out quickly & efficiently, also learn the types of camera shots.]
• editor [could also double as camera operator if there aren't enough students]
• lighting technician/scenery [will set up lights & can also help artist with props ]
• artist /scenery [can draw/make props, draw any lettering/illustrations for signs or the opening shot of the program, etc.]

NOW, IT'S TIME TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR VIDEO PRODUCTION:  Your group must choose an idea for a very SHORT, but well-planned video production [2-3 minutes at the most.] Maybe you could "invent" a useful product, and it could be like an infomercial. Or, it could be the interview of a famous writer/ inventor/scientist discussing their contributions to society [use a student "actor" as the famous person]. Or it could be an interview of a teacher/administrator talking about their favorite book in elementary school & why....as a celebration of "book week," or perhaps an interesting hobby they had as a child, and whether or not that relates to a hobby they have now. BRAINSTORM with your group to settle on an idea. 

1) Draw a storyboard for the video (not over 2 sheets of storyboard... keep it simple.).
2) CHOOSE YOUR JOBS for producing the video.
3) CHOOSE what type of "camera" you'll use to film ( a school video camera, or a well-charged cell phone, or chromebook, etc.)
4) PRODUCER must set up the schedule when the WHOLE CREW & "the guest" can all get together to film. (PRODUCER must secure the QUIET location & let all participants know when & where AHEAD OF TIME.)
5) The entire CREW must have supplies ready and AT THE LOCATION when it's time to film. 
6)  If the production uses an ACTOR instead of interviewing a real person, the ACTOR needs to be responsible for applying their own makeup, if any is needed. ONLY COSMETICS are safe for use, no art supplies!
7)  If the ACTOR needs a special costume, this responsibility must be taken by someone, and costume delivered ON TIME.   
9) BRING THE STORYBOARD to the filming location, so producer can check and make sure all essential parts of the production have been covered.
9) ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CREW MUST HAVE THEIR SUPPLIES READY [artwork, lights, sound effect, music, etc.] & also be at the location on time.
10) PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: for each scene of storyboard, call for QUIET ON THE SET.  No one speaks or moves.  Say "ROLL TAPE"...when camera operator pushes RECORD & SEES RED LIGHT, they'll raise a finger to indicate "WE ARE ROLLING".   PRODUCER/DIRECTOR POINTS TO ACTORS for to begin.  
11)  KEEP TRACK  of how many "takes" [when a scene has to be shot over} there are, and number them; draw a BOLD CIRCLE around the "take" of each scene that will be used, if it's filmed more than once.
12) Use the EDITING SOFTWARE on your chromebook  to take out mistakes. 
13) Watch your finished product!  Now, imagine the time, effort, and PLANNING a full-lenth motion picture takes!  Amazing.  

[NOTE:  All video productions are not shot "in order."   This is another reason why editing software is important. For this first project, however, please shoot the storyboard sequence "in order," as it's easier to put together your first product without confusion. ]

 THIS PROJECT MUST BE ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE TO BE VIEWED  BY ANY PARENT, TEACHER, or elementary school student!