'As Live' Production Unit Brief & Intro

Post Mortem Term 1:
Three important lessons I have learnt from the first term:
- Time Management- I focused too much on one particular aspect of the edit during the last unit, however, this lead me to leave very little time for another aspect and this aspect ended up being rushed and not high quality.
- Team Work- I was not able to work particularly well with my group, need to make sure I work with the right people.
- Written Work- I need to improve on my essay writing, including successful use of research.

23rd January- Pitching Session
25th January- Job Interviews

STUDIO PRODUCTION - UNIT INTRO
-UNIT AIMS:
- A1 to promote knowledge and critical understanding of As Live studio productions
- A2 to enable development of a creative methodology for the production of As Live studio productions including research and critical analysis
- A3 to enable development of the creative, technical and collaborative skills necessary in the realisation of As Live studio productions.

- A4 to widen students’ oral presentation and pitching skills within a commissioning panel context

UNIT OUTCOMES:
- On satisfactory completion of the unit you will be able to:
- LO1 demonstrate critical and creative knowledge and understanding of As Live studio production
- LO2 develop innovative concepts and a creative methodology for a studio production format
- LO3 implement a range of practical, creative and collaborative skills required for studio production
- LO4 develop, prepare and present a detailed pitch to a commissioning panel

HOW THE UNIT WILL WORK:
- I will be leading this unit and will be mainly concerned with facilitating and mentoring the content side of the production, Del and Fergus will work with you on the technical & studio production side.
- 140 HRS – SCHEDULED
- 160 – INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY.
- The originator/s of the idea commissioned will become the Producer/s.
- Everyone else will apply from the roles as advertised (details nearer the time)

INITIAL DEADLINES :
- 23rd JAN - pitching session
Prepare for a pitching panel which will ask you questions about your idea and decisions you have made, use whichever presentation method you prefer. PLEASE NOTE : YOUR PITCH WILL FORM PART OF THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS SO ENSURE IT IS WORTHY OF SUBMISSION!!

- JAN 25th – JOB INTERVIEWS
This is where you will be able to apply and pitch for a particular role on the production (other than Producer – who will already have been chosen).
You need to prepare, with CV and pitch, as if this was a job interview.
You should have a 1st and 2nd choice role you are interested in.

STUDIO CONTENT & PRODUCTION TEAMS
-All content for the commissioned programme will be discussed within the group through meetings Helen/Jo will chair under the direction of the producer/s.

UNIT DELIVERY - WORKSHOPS & LECTURES:
- These will be tailored to the different disciplines within the production. YOU ARE ADVISED TO ATTEND ALL !
- i.e. –
— Scripting for studio
— Production management & planning, collaboration – sets/design — Directing for VTs/Promos – talent
— VT camera operation & sound operation
— Post production & graphics/text
— Promos/titles
Through Del Brown workshops – ¢ Directing for studio
- Floor managing
- Production Assisting in gallery
- Vision mixing
- VT Operation
- GFX Operation
- Studio camera
- Studio sound (“Grams”)

- Helen – week 1 – 8 & production meeting supervision 9 - 12
- Del – week 5 – 12
- Fergus – project support throughout

ASSESSMENT
- 30% Production Role Critical Analysis (2000 words) that demonstrates knowledge and critical understanding of As Live studio productions, appropriate creative methodology and critical analysis of As Live studio production
- 70% Project output: Pilot video supported THROUGHOUT by Online Research Journal. While the production is a group project, each students’ involvement will be assessed individually – use your journal to demonstrate that you meet the learning outcomes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: WRITING ANALYTICALLY & SYNTHESISING THEORY
- Alongside the practical project you will be required to write a 2000 word project analysis
- Think of this as a piece of writing which teaches the reader about your role and uses the experience of this production as anecdotal evidence to illustrate typical tasks, issues and skills.
- Show the reader that you can critically evaluate your own work and that you understand PROFESSIONAL APPROACHES & CONTEXT through a focus on ACADEMIC REFERENCING THROUGHOUT.
- IT IS WORTH 30% of the mark so make sure it is a piece of research and analysis not a descriptive diary...

CRITICAL ANALYSIS CONT...
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH ! –
- Crucially it should include research into studio production and the specific professional role you have undertaken, and how that research informed your actual role and the production.
- conduct thorough research into studio production through relevant text books and by critical analysis on your journal of as live/studio content
- Use references to demonstrate your research into the wider context of as live/studio production as well as your own role.
- ONLY USE WHAT HAPPENED AS ANECDOTES TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU REFERENCE.
- FOR THIS REASON IT SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTILTHE PRODUCTION IS COMPLETED TO BE WRITTEN – it is as much about informing yourself during the production about your methodology and approach as it is a piece of critical writing.

SUBMISSION :
20th APRIL – FINAL SUMMATIVE SUBMISSION (1100 – 1200 hr)
- SUBMIT:
- Studio production final version uploaded to course hard drive (see Fergus for assistance) – DO NOT SUBMIT A COMPRESSED VERSION – Use highest quality to save please e.g. Pro Res 422.
- Production role critical analysis printed & on Turnitin with 1.5 line spacing, page numbered and front cover including title, your name and unit details.
- Online research journal that records, develops and critically reflects on all stages of the production. Ensure your blog demonstrates the learning outcomes listed on unit descriptor!
- Must be fully updated by the deadline with printed copy of screen shot (as PDF file) of blog home page which shows final entry at the time of submission.

THE PROJECT BRIEF:
- In pairs develop a detailed pitch for a 30 min Pilot show to be recorded LIVE in the studios.
- The best pitch will be given the greenlight to go into production and the whole course team will work together to produce the 30 min programme.
- What we are looking for
- We would like something really different, which can push the boundaries and challenge the group.
- HOWEVER - ENSURE YOUR IDEA IS ACHIEVABLE WITHIN A STUDIO ENVIRONMENT, OUR TIME FRAME AND RESOURCES – also think SAFETY. I.e. complex challenge/game shows/sports would not be achievable.

THE IDEA IMPORTANT!!
- It can take whatever form you want but you must be original!!

- Your idea should allow for: 4 x VT inserts (these are segments that are pre- recorded and edited before the programme and then slotted in).
-a set, costumes and props. (These elements will be made by Creative Arts for Film & Theatre students at UCA Rochester)
-viral marketing in order to reach your intended audience. Also online content to support the project.
-a title sequence and credits to be produced – the titles will be specially shot
-a studio audience
- The final programme will be uploaded to our YouTube channel and we are exploring live streaming too.

PITCHING SESSION:
- Panel including Helen, Simon, Del, Josh Jones and Jo.
- You will each have 20 mins to pitch
- Make sure you prepare your idea and use whatever props and presentation aids you feel necessary.
- Be prepared to answer questions about it – the purpose of the pitching Q&A is to find out more about the idea so you need to justify your choices and demonstrate that this is a REALISABLE idea!
- You are assessed on this process REGARDLESS of whether it is commissioned!
- If more than one idea is considered worth commissioning by the panel you will all vote in a secret ballot to determine the commission.