Science Documentary Television

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

JOMC 562, Fall 2011

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 six- to seven-minute television report on a science topic for broadcast on public television. 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 report.

• How to field produce a science television report.

• How to script a science television report.

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.

Recommended Texts

Suggested reading for the course include a primer written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist on how to craft a narrative and a textbook on the basics of preparing a television news report. The recommended texts are the following:

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.  

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

The Tuggle et al. text is available at the student store under JOMC 421. Both books also are on reserve in the Park Library in the J-School. Earlier (and less expensive) editions of the Tuggle et al. text are quite sufficient for the purposes of this course.

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.

I expect that you'll meet all deadlines for setting up field shoots, turning in shoot schedules and preparing segment scripts. I also expect that you'll attend all field shoots involving your respective team.

The major focus of the course this semester is production of a six- to seven-minute television report on the theme of alternative energy production or energy conservation.

Each production team will have a segment producer, a scriptwriter and possibly an associate producer/researcher.  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). During the semester please keep a log of your documentary-related activities noting the amount of 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. Late arrival to class or to a field shoot will count as 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. Remember late arrival to class (even by a few minutes) is counted as an absence.

• 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/Researcher:  The associate producer/researcher 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 Prof. 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. 25: INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE DOCUMENTARY TELEVISION

* Get acquainted with the class project.

* View previous science documentary segments.

* Review fundamentals of writing news for broadcast television.

Assignment:

Email to Dr. Linden by Friday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m., the following two items: 1) your job preference -- first and second choice (either producer, AP, or scriptwriter); 2) your top three story topics. For the last item please summarize your expected storyline in one sentence. Also, remember you are not limited by the topics discussed at the first class. You can come up with additional topics if you feel the story is compelling and involves a significant alternative energy issue.

By Sunday evening, Aug. 28, I will email the class your team assignments (including your individual job assignment), plus the suggested topic for each of the two or three teams.

After you receive your team assignment, please meet (preferably, in person) with your team members to talk about your story topic. By Wednesday, August 31 at 6 p.m, each team should email to Dr. Linden a 150-word (maximum)"pitch" summarizing the angle of your story. At the bottom of the pitch, please compile a list of four individuals who will be sources for your story. For each source, give the individual's respective title and contact information (including BOTH telephone number and email address). For the next class session please bring enough copies of your pitch and source list so that each class member has a copy. Each team should be prepared to give a 10-minute story pitch.

Reading/Viewing for next class:

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

Watch "North Carolina Now" on UNC-TV. Program airs M-F at 7:30 p.m. Consult your local television guide for cable channel. Broadcast channel is 4.1.

WEEK 2 - SEPT. 1: A PRIMER ON SCRIPTWRITING/REVIEW OF SEGMENT PITCHES

* Review basics of scriptwriting as outlined in Linden chapter (see above).

* Learn how to construct a science documentary television script.

Assignment:

Before the next class each team should revise its 150-word pitch, as per the specifications in the previous assignment. The team pitch should also include desired B-roll (be specific). For the next class session bring enough copies of the pitch so that each class member has a copy.

Reading/Viewing for next class:

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

Watch "North Carolina Now" on UNC-TV. Program airs M-F at 7:30 p.m. Consult your local television guide for cable channel. Broadcast channel is 4.1.

WEEK 3 - SEPT. 8: Guest speaker "North Carolina Now's" Managing Editor, Mitch Lewis (unconfirmed) NARRATIVE JOURNALISM / REVIEW OF SCRIPTWRITING/ STORY SEGMENT TOPIC DISCUSSION

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

* Discuss Franklin book on narrative journalism.

* Watch previous "Environmental Heroes" documentaries.

Assignment for next class:

Each team should prepare the first 90 seconds of your six- to 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. 15: SETTING UP THE FIELD SHOOTS / ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTARY VIEWING

* Review working scripts

* 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 for next class:

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.

WEEK 5 - SEPT. 22: DISCUSSION OF FIELD SHOOTS -- Guest Speaker (unconfirmed), Mike Oniffrey, UNC-TV videographer/editor

* 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 - SEPT. 29: PLAN FOR FIELD SHOOTS

* Review shoot schedules for both teams in class.

Assignment:

Finish pre-interviews of subjects. Begin to scout field locations. Continue to research your story.

WEEK 7 - OCT. 6: FINALIZE PLANNING FOR FIELD SHOOTS

Assignment:

Finish pre-interviews of subjects. Finish scouting field locations. Scriptwriter emails working script to team members and Dr. Linden by Monday, Oct. 10 at 12 noon. "A" Team producer should email shoot schedule to team members, Dr. Linden and UNC-TV videographer by Monday, Oct. 10, 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.

WEEK 8 - NO CLASS - A Team Field Shoot - OCT. 13 (Thursday) & OCT. 14 (Friday)

Assignment:

B Team - finish pre-interviews of subjects and finish scouting field locations. "B" team scriptwriter emails working script to team members and Dr. Linden by Monday, Oct. 24 at 12 noon. "B" team producer should email shoot schedule to team members, Dr. Linden and UNC-TV videographer by Monday, Oct. 24, 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

WEEK 9 - (FALL SEMESTER BREAK, NO CLASS OCT. 20)- A Team - log tapes; B Team - finalize shoot (see assignment under Week 8 above).

WEEK 10 - NO CLASS - B Team Field Shoot - OCT. 27 (Thursday) & OCT. 28 (Friday)

Assignment:

A A & B Teams - First draft of script due Wednesday, Nov. 2, by 5 p.m., via email to Dr. Linden. Scriptwriters, please bring enough copies of script so all class members have a copy.

WEEK 11 - NOV. 3: BACK-UP SHOOT DATE IF NECESSARY; OTHERWISE, FIRST SCRIPT CONFERENCE

Assignment:

A A & B Teams - Second draft of script due Sunday, Nov. 6, by 6 p.m., via email to Dr. Linden who will return corrections of script to scriptwriters by Tuesday, Nov. 8 by 5 p.m. Scriptwriters will then bring revised copies of script to script conference on Nov. 10. Please bring enough copies so all class members and guest consultant have copies.

WEEK 12 - NOV. 10: SECOND SCRIPT CONFERENCE - Guest script consultant - Helen Chickering, NBC Newschannel medical reporter

Assignment:

A & B Teams -- Please email revised draft of script to Dr. Linden by 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13. Dr. Linden will email scriptwriters his revisions by 5 p.m., Wed., Nov. 16. Scriptwriters will then bring revised copies of script (based on Linden corrections) to final script conference on Nov. 17. Please bring enough copies of script so all class members have copies.

WEEK 13 - NOV. 17: FINAL SCRIPT CONFERENCE

Assignment:

A & B Teams -- Please email revised draft of script to Dr. Linden by 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20. Also, each team should email to Dr. Linden by Sunday, Nov. 27, a schedule of which team members will be at UNC-TV for which hours on your respective edit dates (see below).