Science Documentary Television

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

JOMC 562, Fall 2009

Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., Carroll Hall 340

http://www.unc.edu/~trl/syllabi/562.html

Tom Linden, M.D.	Office Hours:
328 Carroll Hall	Wednesday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. or whenever office door is open
919-962-4078
linden at unc dot edu

 

Course Description and Goals

The purpose of this course is to teach the skills needed to produce a seven-minute television profile of an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution preserving the natural environment. Each television report will air on "North Carolina Now," the news and information program on statewide public television (UNC-TV). (Broadcast of the piece is subject to the approval of Dr. Linden and the managing editor "North Carolina Now.")

As a participant in this course, you'll learn the following:

• How to research a science television segment.

• How to field produce a science television segment.

• How to script a science television segment.

JOMC 121 ("Writing for the Electronic Media") and JOMC 560 ("Medical Journalism") are both recommended preparatory courses, but not prerequisites.

Since the course combines reporting and broadcast skills with technical familiarity with scientific concepts, the learning curve is steep. Moreover, it's expected that students will spend many hours working on their projects outside class. Since each of you will work on a team, active participation in all aspects of the course is essential.

Reading

Required reading for the course is a primer written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist on how to craft a narrative. Students without a broadcast journalism background may find the supplementary text by Tuggle et al. very useful.

Required Text:

Franklin, Jon. Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by a Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winner, Plume Books, Reprint edition, ©1988, 288 pp., $14.00. ISBN: 0-452-272955.  

Supplementary Text:

Tuggle, C.A., Forrest Carr and Suzanne Huffman, Broadcast News Handbook, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, ©2006, ISBN #978-0073526096.

The Tuggle text is available at the student store under JOMC 421. Both books also are on reserve in the Park Library in the J School.

Assignments

The keys to a successful science television news report are solid research and good writing.  Good writing requires an understanding of the material and the ability to communicate your ideas simply and clearly.

It's expected that you will meet all deadlines for setting up field shoots, turning in shoot schedules and preparing segment scripts. It's also expected that you will attend all field shoots involving your respective team.

The major focus of the course is production of a seven-minute television report on the environment.

Each production team will have a segment producer, one or more associate producer(s)/researcher(s), and a scriptwriter.  Dr. Linden will serve as executive producer for all reports. Final script approval of the student-produced segments will rest with Professor Linden.

Exam

There will be no midterm or final exam.

Grades

Your grade will entirely depend upon the quality of your completed television report. Dr. Linden will determine your grade on your documentary segment based upon your contributions to the production team and upon the quality of your individual work (as producer, associate producer or scriptwriter). Please keep a log of your documentary-related activities activities and time (by date and in hours) spent during the preparation of your video report. The instructor will ask for the log (no more than one page) to be handed in at the last class session.

Your ability to work with other team members will also be evaluated.  Keep in mind that succeeding in the television field requires much teamwork. Each unexcused absence from a class meeting or field shoot will result in the lowering of your grade by one letter grade. Three unexcused absences will result in a failing grade in the course. Tardy arrival to class or to a field shoot will constitute an absence. Remember that broadcast professional standards of promptness and preparation are expected during every phase of the project. In broadcast journalism, one team member failing to deliver can affect many people, including your team, other teams and sources who are taking time away from busy schedules to accommodate you.

If you are concerned about your performance in the course, talk with the instructor at any point during the semester. Dr. Linden will provide feedback of your performance upon request.

How To Succeed in This Course

• Attend all classes on time.

• Complete readings before the appropriate classroom discussions.

• Participate actively in class.

• Complete all work responsibilities by your deadline(s).

• Work cooperatively with your team members.

• Make sure all facts in your stories are accurate and sourced.

• Ask Dr. Linden questions either during class or during office hours if you're unclear about any aspect of this course.

Student Job Descriptions

Producer:  The producer is the person ultimately responsible for coordinating all research related to the report and lining up all people and locales featured in the report. In consultation with his/her team and Dr. Linden, the producer determines the focus of the report. The producer also needs to scout field locations and provide preliminary and final shoot schedules to Dr. Linden by the required deadlines. As producer, you'll succeed by delegating responsibilities and making sure that those responsibilities are completed in a timely manner.  Remember that throughout the entire project, up to and including the shoot, the "buck" stops with the producer.

Associate Producer(s):  The associate producer is responsible for carrying out all jobs assigned by the producer.  Those jobs include but are not limited to performing research, scouting field locations, and pre-interviewing people featured in the report.  When the producer is unable to fulfill his/her responsibilities, the associate producer may be asked by Dr. Linden to fill in as required.

Scriptwriter:  The scriptwriter's main responsibility prior to the shoot is to provide the team with working scripts by the required deadlines.  After the field shoots are completed, primary responsibility on the team shifts from the producer/associate producer to the scriptwriter.  As scriptwriter, you'll complete several drafts of the script that you'll vet first with members of your team and then with Dr. Linden.  In team disputes about the content and/or style of the script, the scriptwriter has the final say.  If a team member believes that there is a factual or content error that can't be reconciled by the scriptwriter, that team member should contact Dr. Linden. 

All team members:  Each team member will pre-interview at least one person featured on camera and will conduct the actual field interview of that person.  Team members will share in tape logging, a laborious process but critical to the shaping of the script and the eventual video editing of the report.  (Logging must be completed by the designated deadlines as late logs will delay the scriptwriter in meeting his/her deadlines.)  Also, all team members will participate in the script review process and in the final video editing sessions.

Selection of job responsibilities:  Dr. Linden will determine what your particular team role will be.  He'll solicit your preference prior to making his selections.

 

Course Schedule

 

WEEK 1 - AUG. 27: INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE DOCUMENTARY TELEVISION

(Class guest: Jim Sander, associate producer of the first "Environmental Heroes" documentary )

          * Get acquainted with the class project.

* View "Environmental Heroes" documentary.

* Review fundamentals of writing news for broadcast television.

 

Assignment:

Email to Dr. Linden by Aug. 28 your job preferences (producer, AP, scriptwriter) and also your preference for story topic. Dr. Linden will email team compositions, job designation and possible story topic to the class on Sunday, Aug. 30. Before the next class, meet with your team members and prepare a 150-word "pitch" written in your best news style summarizing the angle of your story. At the bottom of the pitch, please compile a list of five individuals who will be your story sources. For each source, give the individual's respective title and contact information (including BOTH telephone number and email address). Each team should bring enough copies so that each class member gets a copy. Each team should be prepared to give a 10-minute pitch presentation at the next class.

 

Reading/Viewing:

Linden, Tom. "Medical Reporting for the Electronic Media," in Barbara Gastel's Health Writer's Handbook (Second Edition), Ch. 9, pp. 161 - 183. (Reading to be available to students via Blackboard).

 

WEEK 2 - SEPT. 3: A PRIMER ON SCRIPTWRITING/REVIEW OF SEGMENT PITCHES

* Review basics of scriptwriting.

* Learn how to construct a science documentary television script.

 

Assignment:

Each team should revise its 150-word pitch, as well as the list of story sources. In addition, your pitch page should include desired B-roll that you'll be shooting in the field. Bring enough copies of your pitch so that each class member has a copy. All class members should watch "NC Now" on UNC-TV. Program airs M-F at 7:30 p.m. and again at 1 a.m. (consult your TV guide for cable channel listing; broadcast channel is 4).

 

Reading:

Franklin: Writing for Story Preface (pp. xv - xix), Chapters I through VII (pp.21 - 166), Appendix A (pp. 216 - 235).

 

WEEK 3 - SEPT. 10: Guest speaker: "North Carolina Now's" Managing Editor, Mitch Lewis/ NARRATIVE JOURNALISM/ REVIEW OF SCRIPTWRITING/ STORY SEGMENT TOPIC DISCUSSION

* Learn "North Carolina Now's" story requirements.

* Discuss Franklin book on narrative journalism.

* Watch Part I of "After The Levees Broke."

 

Assignment:

Each team should prepare the first 90 seconds of your seven-minute script as per your story "pitch." Bring enough copies of your script so that each class member has a copy.

 

WEEK 4 - SEPT. 17: SETTING UP THE FIELD SHOOTS / ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTARY VIEWING

* Tips on how to set up field shoots.

* Tips on how to select appropriate B-roll.

* Learn what's required for logging your tapes.

 

Assignment:

Line up experts and interview subjects. Start scouting field locations. Producer should bring shooting schedule to class with copies for all team members and Dr. Linden.

 

Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, a.m. Sept. 19 - B Team Field Shoots

 

WEEK 5 - SEPT. 24: DISCUSSION OF FIELD SHOOTS

* Refine field shoots.

* Confirm interviews with experts and other interview subjects.

* Nail down ideas for B-roll.

* View blue crab report.

 

Assignment:

Continue pre-interviews of subjects. Continue scouting field locations. Scriptwriters bring enough copies of your working script to the next class so that all class members can have a copy. Producers/APs bring enough copies of your shoot schedule to the next class so that all class members can have a copy.

 

WEEK 6 - OCT. 1: FINALIZE PLANNING FOR FIELD SHOOTS

* Review shoot schedules for all three teams in class.

 

Assignment:

Finish pre-interviews of subjects. Finalize field locations. Scriptwriter emails working script to team members and Dr. Linden by Monday, Oct. 5 at 12 noon. "A Team" Producer should email shoot schedule to team members, Dr. Linden and UNC-TV videographer by Monday, Oct. 5 at 12 noon. Be sure to let your videographer know of any special videography needs (special lighting, audio, etc.) a couple days before you get to your first shoot.

 

Friday, Oct. 2 - A Team Field Shoot in Boone, N.C.

 

(NO CLASSES OCT. 8, 15, 22 and OCT. 29 BECAUSE OF FIELD SHOOTS)

 

WEEK 7- NO CLASS - C Team Field Shoots - OCT. 8 (Thursday), OCT. 9 (Friday)

 

WEEK 8- NO CLASS - B Team Field Shoot - OCT. 15 (Thursday)

 

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 - 11 a.m. - C Team Field Shoot in Durham, N.C.

 

WEEK 9 - (FALL SEMESTER BREAK, NO CLASS OCT. 22)- B & C Teams log tapes and work on scripts; A Team prepare for shoot.

 

WEEK 10 - NO CLASS - A Team Field Shoots - OCT. 30 (Friday), OCT. 31 (Saturday)

 

Assignment:

B & C Teams - First draft script due Sunday, NOV. 1 by 12 noon, via email to Dr. Linden and to all team members. 

 

WEEK 11 - NO CLASS, BUT ON THURSDAY, NOV. 5, ELLERBEE CREEK TEAM MEETS WITH DR. LINDEN AT 9:30 a.m. AND HITTS TEAM MEETS WITH DR. LINDEN AT 10:45 a.m. IN HIS OFFICE. POSSIBLE BACKUP SHOOTS NOV. 5 (Thursday), NOV. 6 (Friday) -- if necessary.

 

Assignment:

B & C Teams - Second draft of the script due Sunday, Nov. 8 by 12 noon, via email to Dr. Linden and to all class members.  Hard copy due in class Thursday, Nov. 12. Each team should bring enough hard copies of the script so every class member has a copy.

A Team - First draft script due Sunday, Nov. 8 by 12 noon, via email to Dr. Linden and to all class members.  Hard copy due in class Thursday, Nov. 12. Each team should bring enough hard copies of the script so every class member has a copy.

 

WEEK 12 - NOV. 12: SCRIPT CONFERENCE (Guest script critique - Helen Chickering, medical reporter/producer for NBC Newschannel)

 

Assignment:

All teams -- please email final draft of script critiqued on Nov. 12 to Dr. Linden by Sunday, Nov. 15, 12 noon.

 

WEEK 13 - NOV. 19: FINAL SCRIPT CONFERENCE