Television Producing (TELE)

This course introduces students to the development of television and its influence as a powerful, one-on-one medium. Students learn how television has combined the elements of film, radio and live performance into a dynamic and evolving form of global communication. The course prepares students for entry into the nonlinear world of television production by examining the transitional stages of television and through the production of relevant media exercises.

This course explores the many challenges in the process of preparation for the field production shoot. Students learn preproduction and production skills that help them identify and problem-solve common production obstacles. Students working on projects in the field obtain the knowledge and the experience necessary to deliver programming to clients.

Students examine the challenges inherent to live event production. These venues include news, sports events, debates, awards ceremonies, concerts and town-hall meetings. As part of the course curriculum, students prepare and produce actual and staged events that help develop viable production skills.

The line producer is involved in both the creative and technical decisions of television programming, in both studio and field programs. Students in this course gain knowledge in all areas that are encountered in real world situations, including scheduling, budgeting, logistical and managerial skills, as well as determining content as it is applied to television production.

This course exposes students to a multimedia environment requiring complex decision making under tight deadlines. Students explore the process of producing short segments for tabloid-style programming through a series of simulated exercises and studio assignments involving producing content for overnight deadlines, on-location work and live event coverage.

This course emphasizes both the technical and theoretical aspects of editing various television formats, such as sporting events, news features, promos and entertainment programming. The needs and audience expectations for each are analyzed and demonstrated along with delivery requirements of the client. Students produce various editing projects in both field and studio contexts.

Students step into the professional world of television producing, taking an internship position at a television station or production company. The internship may include the production of daily news programs, public affairs programs, promotional interstitials, commercials and other locally-produced programs both live and pre-recorded. Experiences are shared in weekly class sessions.

The intermediate field internship provides students with a continued and elevated path for professional, hands-on experiences in a working, active television production environment. Focus is placed on career path development and finding new skills, as well as honing and perfecting existing skills. Weekly lectures address personality types in the workplace, the importance of maintaining a reputation and other coping mechanisms to help students succeed as an intern.

Students utilize previous internship experiences to gain an advanced position within an organization. Emphasis is placed on building a relationship with either a company or an area of interest within the field of television producing. Class topics include professional practices, acquiring mentors and growing a network.

The networking and experience afforded in this final internship can facilitate future career relationships and possibly result in the student’s first full-time job offering. Students utilize production experience gained in previous internships to focus this final internship towards beginning their career in the industry. Class topics include taking the next step, networking for upward movement and maintaining a strong reputation in the industry.