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Course Outlines - Course Details
Diablo Valley College Course
BCA-120: Introduction to TV Studio Production 
 
Description
An introduction to multi-camera studio television production in a High Definition digital video environment through demonstration and practice in switching, camera operation, audio, video tape, floor managing, directing, teleprompting, writing and producing. 
 
Recommended
Eligibility for ENGL 122 or equivalent
 
General Information
Department: Performing Arts 
Division: Applied and Fine Arts 
Units: 3.00 
Grade Code: Student choice 
Repeatability: 0 
Max day class size: 27 
Max night class size: 27 
 
Number of Hours
Per Semester
Lecture: 36.00
Laboratory: 54.00
Activity: 0.00
By Arrangement
Lecture: 0.00
Laboratory: 0.00
Activity: 0.00
 
Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

  1. Operate studio video cameras, switchers and sound equipment.
  2. Through studio exercises, demonstrate a practical comprehension of blocking, mise-en-scene, lens, camera angles, lighting, and composition.
  3. Develop various studio productions with full program proposals including scripts and cue sheets.
  4. Evaluate various stylistic approaches to studio production.
  5. Recognize and demonstrate proper framing for studio camera techniques.
  
 
Content
  1. Introduction to television
    1. Terminology and technology
    2. Types of studio show programs
      1. Public Service Announcements
      2. Talk shows
      3. Newscasts
      4. Sitcoms
  2. Production staff and studio
    1. Director
    2. Producer
    3. Writer
    4. Technical Director
    5. Floor Manager
    6. CG Operator
    7. Audio Technician
    8. Video Tape Recorder
  3. The television camera
    1. Converting light to electronics
    2. High Definition and digital video technologies
  4. Television lenses
    1. Obtaining a sharp image
    2. White Balance
    3. Focal Lengths
  5. Camera mounting and operation
    1. Handling the camera professionally
    2. Composition
    3. Mise-en-scene
    4. Camera moves
  6. Television lighting
    1. Aesthetics of light
    2. Color temperature
    3. Stylistic Considerations
  7. Television audio
    1. Sound of television
    2. Microphones
    3. Audio Boards
  8. Video recording and editing
    1. Capturing and manipulating the image
    2. Laying to tape
    3. Rolling in
  9. Switching the visual effects
    1. Varying video sources
    2. Aspect ratio and pixels
    3. Title safe area
  10. TV design and TV talent
    1. Putting the elements together
    2. Table and tech run-throughs
    3. Sets, props, costumes
  11. TV producing and program proposals
    1. Desired outcomes
    2. Demographics
    3. Target audiences
    4. Budgets
  12. The director in pre-production
    1. Script development
    2. Blocking
    3. Graphic cues
    4. Audio cues
    5. Titles and credits
    6. Roll-ins
  13. The director in post-production
    1. Editing
    2. Laying to tape
  14. TV field production
    1. Producing video outside the studio
    2. Single camera recording
  15. Writing for TV
    1. Field production scripts
    2. Studio production scripts
      
 
Methods
Lecture, Laboratory, Demonstration, Discussion, audio-visual materials. 
 
Assignments
Reading 1: Read the chapter on production staff and studio and prepare a proposal outline for a studio program. 
Reading 2: Read the chapter on television lighting and design a lighting plot. 
Writing, problem solving, performance 1: Analyze the needs of a typical interview TV program and assess the minimum number of crew and show elements that would be needed to produce such a program. Be prepared to offer alternative shooting techniques and production elements. 
Writing, problem solving, performance 2: Develop a lighting plot showing the minimum number of lights and their type (spot or flood) and position in the studio to adequately light a typical TV interview program. Be prepared to offer alternative lighting techniques. 
Lab, field activity, product or report: Produce, record, and edit a field segment using broadcast news interview techniques, script and camerawork. 
Other: (1) Estimate the minimum number of hours such a crew would be needed to be on payroll in order to complete the typical TV interview program. (2) Actually set the lights for a typical TV interview program using the minimum number of lighting instuments necessary. 
 
Evaluation
Sample One: Explain the difference between title safe and action safe camera framing. 

Sample Two:

Determine depth of field for an F stop of 4.0 and a 50 mm lens.

 

Frequency of Evaluation:

Evaluations will adhere to the DVC "Fairness in Grading" guidelines and will include as a minimum:

  • Evaluation of students within the first quarter of the course and notifying student of the results

  • Counting a final examination for no more than one-half the course grade

  • Basing final grades on at least three students' tests and/or reports

Additional: Students will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

 
Sample Textbook. See the current course syllabus or bookcenter.dvc.edu for the actual course textbook.
Book One
Author: Zettl, Herbet 
Title: Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics, 6th edition 
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing 
City: Belmont, CA 
Year: 2010 
Book Two
Author: Cury, Ivan 
Title: Directing and Producing for Television, Fourth Edition: A Format Approach 
Publisher: W.C.Brown 
City: Iowa 
Year: 2010 
Other
None. 
 
Approval Date
Dec 6 2010 
 
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