ND Creative Media Production Y2 Semester 1 2019-2020

U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Assignment Details Contents

Title: Plan & Produce a Factual Programme for 1. Client briefs issued earlier for Working
Television to a Brief in the Media Industries.
Assessors: Jim Doherty 2. A personal client brief may be used.
School: Media, Multimedia & Performing Arts 3. Tasks to be completed
Programme level: 3 Assignment number: 2 4. Grading/marking system to be used
5. List of resources
Issue date: Interim hand-in (if N.B. This assignment is linked to work
05/11/2019 applicable): you are doing in other Units.
17/12/2019
Feedback: 14/01/2020 Due: 7/01/2020
IV: Faustina Starrett IV date: 08/10/2019

Outcomes:
3 Be able to plan and research a factual programme for television
4 Be able to produce a factual programme for television

Overview
ND Creative Media Production Y2 Semester 1 2019-2020
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television
Indicative Content
3 Be able to plan and research a factual programme for television
Genres: documentary, infotainment, ‘reality’ TV, educational, special interest, makeover
Develop ideas: programme concept; target audience; development techniques, e.g. creation
of narrative, scenario, synopsis, research process, interview questions
Research: primary sources, e.g. contacts, interviews; secondary sources, e.g. broadcasts,
reviews, internet, archives; checking information
Legal and ethical considerations: filming in public; clearances and permissions; privacy; libel
and defamation; BBC producers’ guidelines; Ofcom
Planning: production organisation; roles and responsibilities; schedules; interview and
contacts appointments; location recces; budget (planned, evolving); risk assessments;
documentation
Proposal: subject idea; format; genre; style; audience; intended aim; budget
4 Be able to produce a factual programme for television
Production techniques: filming (general views, interviews, cut-aways); graphics; scripted
pieces to camera; studio; location; public space; sound (ambient sound, wild track,
interviews,)
Production management: monitoring progress; identifying and solving problems; production
organisation, eg equipment booking, location management, logistics management
Editing: creating narrative; conveying meaning; illustrating topic

Scenario
In this assignment students will work as independent producers who have been
commissioned to produce factual programme items according to specific genres and
purposes. The quality of the work produced will be important in determining
progression to the Extended National Diploma. To achieve a Distinction you will
need to produce at least one production to a good standard.

This assignment is linked to work you are doing in other Units, specifically
Working to a Brief in the Media Industries.

All students must produce a factual programme item based on the client briefs agreed
earlier with their tutors, e.g. Youth Voices on Brexit, Churches Trust, etc.

Students may also produce a factual production item based on a personal client
brief for the purposes of this assignment in agreement with tutor.

During class you viewed and discussed a range of factual programme formats and
styles that targeted different audiences. You will apply the skills and production
techniques learned in other units for the successful production of your own proposal.
 ND Creative Media Production Y2 Semester 1 2019-2020
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Independent study is also encouraged, in order for you to provide evidence of

individual achievement and understanding.

Tasks Pass Criteria

Follow the tasks below to realise your production To achieve each outcome a learner must
according to professional guidelines and demonstrate the ability to:
Scenario:
P3 Plan and research a factual programme
Learners will individually: for television working within appropriate
conventions and with some assistance
1. Generate ideas for the item (P3)
2. Choose and fully research one idea (P3) P4 Produce a factual programme for
3. Develop a proposal for the chosen idea television working within appropriate
(P3) conventions and with some assistance.
4. Pitch the proposal to the commissioning
editor of the programme, highlighting the
main findings of your research and
justifying your choice of subject (P3)
5. Build a portfolio of pre-production
documentation needed to effectively
produce the item (P3, P4)
6. Carry out your production and present
your finished work in an appropriate
format. (P4)

Merit Criteria Distinction Criteria

Merit: - Pass criteria plus following Distinction: - Merit criteria plus following

M3 plan and research a factual programme
for television effectively showing some
imagination and with only occasional
assistance
M4 produce a factual programme for
television competently showing some
imagination and with only occasional
assistance.
D3 plan and research a factual programme for
television to a quality that reflects near-
professional standards, showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional
expectations
D4 produce a factual programme for television
to a technical quality that reflects near-
professional standards, showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional
expectations.

Guidance
 ND Creative Media Production Y2 Semester 1 2019-2020
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Use the examples covered in class, along with notes from class discussions, lectures and
research.

Use the links and resources provided on Moodle as well as the links below.

www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines – BBC producers’ guidelines

www.bbctraining.com/journalism.asp – BBC online training modules
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/collegeofproduction/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/7496032.stm

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