STUDIO PRODUCTION

UNIT BRIEF & INTRO

TODAY:
UPDATE minor course changes
UNIT BRIEFING & REFLECTIONS TERM 1
VIEWING : NEWS CHANNELS
Intro to Studio Production
Workshop ideas development

MINOR COURSE CHANGES

POST MORTEM TERM 1:

Individually, write down what lessons you feel

you learnt from the digital news unit last year
regarding:
IDEAS

RESEARCH

SCRIPTING
SHOOTING

& DEVELOPMENT

PICTURES & SOUND

TEAM WORK
EDITING
TIME MANAGEMENT
WRITTEN WORK

TIME MANAGEMENT
Identify priorities and schedule across the 15
week term
Set interim deadlines to meet targets
Seek help and advice early UTILISE
TUTORIALS OPPS AND BOOK!!
Regular attendance to lectures and
seminars/workshops
Use macs out of hours off peak
In group work important to make agreements
between members and to address issues as they
arise if delivery dates missed

ESSAY WRITING COMMON ISSUES

Colloquial & conversational language
Presentation issues

Subheadings NOT IN ESSAYS

HARVARD!
Bibliography always alphabetical by surname
Lack of quotes - Lack of evidence based argument

SPAG & syntax

Structural issues linking, cornerturns, flow, logic
Poorly/vaguely expressed thoughts
Poor intro/conclusion
Using book title in referencing waste of word count!
SUBJECTIVITY
Repetition
Use of quotes embed short quotes, link to your thoughts and
explore FULLY

NEWS CHANNELS

STUDIO PRODUCTION - UNIT INTRO

UNIT AIMS:
A1

to promote knowledge and understanding of

studio broadcast media productions
A2 to enable development of a creative methodology
for the production of studio broadcast media
including research and critical analysis and
enterprise
A3 to support collaboration with a variety of related
disciplines in the production of broadcast media.
A4 to enable development of the creative and
technical skills necessary in the production of studio
productions.

UNIT OUTCOMES:
LO1 demonstrate a critical and creative
knowledge and understanding of studio broadcast
production
LO2 collaborate with creative colleagues through
the commissioning and production process
LO3 develop innovative concepts for various
studio production formats
LO4 implement the creative and technical skills
required for studio production.

HOW THE UNIT WILL WORK:

I will be leading this unit and will be mainly
concerned with the content side of the
production, Hans and Fergus will work with you
on the studio production side.
90 HRS SCHEDULED
210 INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY.
The originator of the idea commissioned will
become the Producer.

INITIAL DEADLINES :
MONDAY AND TUESDAY 19/20TH JAN - pitching
session
Prepare yourself 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!!

THURSDAY JAN 22ND 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

PRODUCTION ROLES
APPLICATION PROCESS

Then everyone bid to be part of one of two

production teams crews for the pre production
phase covering:
PRODUCER

TEAM
DIRECTOR TEAM
CAMERA TEAM
SOUND TEAM
EDIT TEAM

These roles will have to be applied for, with an

accompanying CV.

PRODUCTION ROLES
PRODUCER DEPARTMENT
1 X PRODUCER (Originator of idea)
1 x ASSISTANT PRODUCER
1 X Production Manager/Floor Manager
1 x promotions producer
1 x VT packages producer
DIRECTION DEPT
1 X STUDIO DIRECTOR (PART 1)
1 X STUDIO DIRECTOR (PART 2)
1 X VT PACKAGE DIRECTOR + studio camera
1 X VT PACKAGE DIRECTOR + studio camera
1 X Promotions Director (title sequence) + behind
scenes video
1 x Promotions Director (Trailer director) + behind
scene video

CONT
EDIT DEPARTMENT
1 X VISION MIXER (Studio Part 1) + VT PACKAGE EDITOR
1 X PRODUCTION ASSISTANT (Studio) + VT PACKAGE
EDITOR
1 X VISION MIXER (Studio Part 2) + Promotions Editor
CAMERA DEPT
1 X STUDIO CAMERA + VT PACKAGE CAMERA
1 X studio CAMERA + VT PACKAGE CAMERA
1 X Studio CAMERA + VT PACKAGE CAMERA
1 x studio Camera + VT Package camera
SOUND DEPT
1 x STUDIO SOUND + VT PACKAGE SOUND
1 X STUDIO SOUND + VT PACKAGE SOUND
1 x Studio Sound + Promotions sound

STUDIO CONTENT & PRODUCTION

TEAMS
All content will be pitched openly through group
crits and ideas commissioned under the direction
of the producer.
NB The record day is split into two teams
producing half of the programme each, however
you will be expected to help out as necessary.

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 Hans Petch workshops
Producing for studio
Directing for studio
Floor managing
Production Assisting in gallery
Vision mixing
Studio camera
Studio sound

Helen week 1 8 & production meeting supervision 9 - 12

Hans week 7 12
Fergus throughout project support
Simon week 9 - 12

TIMETABLE:

CONT

ASSESSMENT
20% - PROJECT REPORT 1500words supported by teaching week 8 re: report writing
80% - STUDIO PRODUCTION project output
on course hard drive + uploaded to our YouTube
channel. (were currently exploring live streaming
possibilities too).

SUBMISSION :
MONDAY 27TH APRIL PROJECT & REPORT (INCLUDING
PITCH INFORMATION) - FINAL SUMMATIVE SUBMISSION
(0900 1100 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.
Project report printed with 1.5 line spacing, page numbered and
front cover including title and your name and unit details.
Online project development journal that records, develops and
critically reflects on all stages of the production. Ensure your blog
demonstrates the learning outcomes listed on unit descriptor!
Blog to 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

READING LIST:
Many books here at studios.
Others via the library.
Read up on:

Studio

production
Your production role

Useful for your blog and also report

NB - Keep up to date on blog useful for report!

THE PROJECT BRIEF:

Each student has 2 weeks to 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 split into two
teams, to produce half of the duration each.
What we are looking for:

We

will not be looking for a talent show as this has

recently been commissioned we would like something
really different, which can push the boundaries and
challenge the group.
We are particularly interested in new ideas within the
entertainment, factual either for an adult or a younger
audience.
Please avoid programmes with under 16s, animals,
dangerous equipment and no cookery programmes.

YOUR IDEA NEEDS TO HAVE :

Suitability

to studio environment HERE at

Maidstone (Studio 2)
Originality
Opportunity for four VTs
Simple staging set, lighting, costume & props (co-op
with CATF)
Possibilities for viral marketing part of your pitch!
Specially shot titles and credits.
Studio audience.
Consider green screen opportunities
Be strong in content terms and deliverable!

PITCHING SESSION:
Panel including Helen, Simon and Laura
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.

START WORK!
THE IDEA:
Start working today on the idea only this week
and next week before pitch day.
Will hold 1-2-1 tutorials this Friday to see how
you are doing - need to have at least 2 or 3 firm
ideas we can discuss

BREAK

WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN A STUDIO?

Write down what you think is possible in a studio

environment (genre/format).

STUDIO PRODUCTIONS - CONTENT

Studios provide a tailor made, controlled environment for
productions.
A look through the schedules and youll find a wide range of genres
produced in a studio:

FACTUAL
DRAMA

ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC

COMEDY

CHILDRENS

Whats in a studio and how does it all work? viewing:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135564

http://www.bbcstudiosandpostproduction.com/studios/
behind_the_scenes.html

STUDIO PRODUCTIONS: VIEWING

Clips:

Factual

This Morning/One Show

http://www.itv.com/thismorning/bestbits/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/highlights/ index.shtml
Entertainment

Splash
Childrens - http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/blue-peter
Comedy

Miranda http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w7dv9/ clips

Drama

Coronation Street https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/search/term/coronation- street

Music

Jools Holland - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/

b006ml0l

DISCUSSION:
Why are productions located in studios?
What common themes/elements were there in the
studio productions you watched?
What makes an original studio idea?
What limitations are there in a studio
environment?
What format/s suit a studio environment?
What is missing from our schedules now that
could make a good studio production?

STUDIO ADVANTAGES

What advantages do you think there are in terms

of sound recording in a studio?

Sound

Usually

studio is specially sound proofed so that the

quality produced is without any echo or intrusive
noises.
Microphones can be plotted and rigged in advance
and adjustments made (at any time during the
recording if pre-recorded).
Sound can be monitored from the sound room and
adjustments made as necessary.

STUDIO ADVANTAGES

What advantages does shooting in a studio provide

in terms of picture quality and opportunities?
Pictures

Lighting

again plotted, rigged and set in advance in

controlled environment no changes in light conditions
as on location.
Material instantly viewed and reviewed in gallery so
quality assured.
Multi camera shoots - Camera positioning carefully
plotted and rehearsed to give full coverage.
Single-camera shoots continuity monitored more
easily.

STUDIO CHALLENGES
What are the sound challenges?
Sound

re-creating

reality requires the use of either pre-recorded

SFX, atmos/wildtrack or foley sounds played in during or
after the recording.
Music & effects again either played in during recording
or in post.

What are the picture challenges?

Pictures

Again

in re-creating reality need to carefully plot lighting.

For studio productions which do not need to re-create
reality can plan lighting in advance but needs qualified,
experienced staff to ensure lighting plan meets all needs
of the production.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS :
STUDIO SAFETY

All staff should be properly trained for the studio

environment and appropriate risk assessments made.
Prior to our record you will be fully briefed regarding
safety here at the studio, however the usual hazards
are :

Trip

hazards e.g. Cabling

Electricity/Lighting
Fire hazards/keeping exits clear
Confined spaces
Audiences/public
Manual handling/lifting
Scaffolding/heights

A full risk assessment must be made prior to

recording in order to ensure you have taken all
reasonable precautions you will be responsible for
undertaking full risk assessment which will be passed
to me before forwarding to Emma.

SAFETY CONT...
Ultimately the production team is liable for the
safety of everyone employed and invited to the
production. All productions have insurance in
place to cover any potential liabilities.
Only appropriately qualified technicians to install
or operate equipment which is potentially
hazardous e.g. electricians/lighting technicians
Consultants employed as necessary for specialist
skills e.g. Pyrotechnics.
EVERYONE in the studio needs to consider their
part in ensuring safe practice.

INTRODUCTION TO THE GALLERY

This is the central control room for the studio.
Your work with Hans will introduce you to the
various roles in the gallery.
For our purposes you will be needing to acquaint
yourself with the key roles within the gallery:

Producer
Director

viewing:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/
art20130702112135647
Vision

Mixer viewing:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/
art20130702112135766
P.A.

(Production Assistant)

BREAK

WORKSHOP:

BRAINSTORM FOR IDEAS

In

groups of 3 or 4 brainstorm your ideas and begin

to write them up so that they can be developed.
Try working on your pitch and treatment and see
what response you get from your group be prepared
to critique and give feedback.
Work out what research and development you need to
do next and start planning! There are only TWO
MORE FULL WEEKS til the pitch day!
Remember be original and think about :
Viability time frame, location, access, cost
Channel/broadcaster
Potential promotion/marketing