SYLLABUS

Journalism 306 Broadcast News Production Fall 2009 Tuesdays 7-9:40 p.m. ASC 259

Instructor: Randy Paige Email: [email protected] Cell: (661) 714-2073

Office hours: Tuesday after class and by appointment

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The process of putting together television news stories requires both art and craft. The craft involves the step-by-step process which nearly all reporters use to produce their stories. The art involves the unique heart and soul you bring to your work. It begins in the way you identify the stories you choose to produce and it carries you through the process of researching, shooting, writing and editing the story. We will show you the step-by-step process of crafting a professional news story. You will provide the art (heart). By the end of this semester you will have the knowledge to produce a television news story worthy of any television network or local news station. We will also spend time on how to “voice over” your stories and how to use “stand-ups” to help tell your story, and how to perform flawless “live shots” in a breaking news scenario. This semester we will also examine the process of producing a half hour newscast.

We will take time during many class sessions to discuss the ethics that guide us as journalists. Journalism is, after all, more than a profession. It is an essential part of our democracy and as such it carries with it an awesome responsibility to make sure that our stories are fair and accurate and that they provide the essential information we need to make important decisions about our lives.

Optional Textbooks:

ISBN: 13: 978-0-07-352609-6 Title: Broadcast News Handbook, 3rd Edition Author: C.A. Tuggle, Forest Carr, Suzanne Huffman Publisher: McGraw Hill

ISBN: 0205262589 Title: Creative Interviewing, Third Edition Author: Ken Metzler Publisher: Allyn and Bacon (You should have these two books from previous core classes.) Recommended Readings: (All available on reserve in Annenberg Research Library)

ISBN 1-56625-158-3 Title: Make It Memorable: Writing and Packaging TV News with Style Author: Bob Dotson Publisher: Bonus Books, Inc.

ISBN: 1-56625-176-1 Title: Write for the Ear, Shoot for the Eye, Aim for the Heart Author: Al Tompkins Publisher: Bonus Books

ISBN 0967843200 Title: Power Producer Author: Dow Smith Publisher: Radio-TV New Directors Association (Recommended for students interested in producing news broadcasts)

DAILY NEWS CONSUMPTION

One of the best ways to learn about broadcast news production is to watch a lot of newscasts. Students should plan to watch at least one local and/or one network newscast every day (Many networks provide their entire half hour newscast for online viewing if the time it airs is not convenient). Students will be required to read at least the first three sections of the Los Angeles Times every day.

QUIZZES AND ETHICS ASSIGNMENTS

There will be a short quiz or ethics essay at the beginning of some class sessions. Quizzes will draw from assigned readings, class discussions and current events. We will also periodically discuss ethical dilemmas facing journalists today. Topics for quizzes will be e-mailed to students at least twenty-four hours before those class sessions. Students will be expected to write a short essay detailing their positions on these topics. There will also be timed writing assignments during class that will simulate real world breaking news situations.

STORY ASSIGNMENTS

The majority of your grade will be determined by four major news packages, which will be turned in throughout the semester. The first three stories will be 1:30 to 1:45 in length, the final project running up to 2:15 (additional time will require advance permission of instructor). The completed stories will be turned in as a mini-DV dub. For the first three assignments, initial drafts of the scripts may be turned in ahead of time for the instructor’s comments and suggestions. Changes made in connection with those various drafts may be incorporated into the final script without penalty. You will also learn how to produce a 30-minute newscast, and you will have the opportunity to create a rundown for a particular day’s news events and block the stories out on a 30-minute timeline.

Format for Assignments and Final Project Each assignment will consist of a written script and a an edited story which will be placed on a Mini-DV cassette. All finished stories will be placed on the same Mini-DV cassette with :30 of black placed between each story. The script will be written in a two column format with font information (Chyrons) and editing information on the left column and the reporter narration and soundbites on the right column. All soundbites will be transcribed and placed into the body of the script. Students will be responsible for story topics (with instructor guidance) and story pitch forms will be used for each assignment. Prior instructor approval is required for each project.

Learning Lab Requirement Broadcast majors are required to work at ATVN. There are no exceptions. An ATVN executive producer will come to the first day of class to discuss the sign up procedures. At the end of the semester the instructor will receive an attendance record and a rating for each broadcast major in the class. This attendance record and rating will be used to compute the grade which will be earned in this class.

INTERNSHIPS The value of professional internships as part of the overall educational experience of our students has long been recognized by the School of Journalism. Accordingly, while internships are not required for successful completion of this course, any student enrolled in this course who undertakes and completes an approved, non-paid internship during this semester shall earn academic extra credit herein of an amount equal to one percent of the total available semester points for this course.

GRADING CRITERIA:

A. Basic criteria: You will be graded on clarity, organization, accuracy, fairness/balance, completeness, grammar, spelling and ability to meet deadlines and required story length. We will distribute a separate checklist showing the exact criteria we will be grading.

Each story will have a letter grade (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, D- or F). On some assignments we may use a point system, but the points will be converted into a letter grade. 1. “A” stories are accurate, clear, comprehensive stories that are well written and require only minor copy or tape editing (i.e. they could air on a local or network broadcast). They are also written, shot and edited creatively, are well paced and include good sound bites and natural sound that breathes life and emotion into the story.

2. “B” stories require more than minor editing and have a few style or spelling errors and/or one significant error of omission. There may be minor flaws in the composition of some shots or in the editing. Story is complete, accurate and well paced with a clear beginning, middle and end.

3. “C” stories need considerable editing or rewriting and/or have many spelling, style or omission errors. Camera work and editing techniques are mediocre or unimaginative, but passable. Length of the story may be shorter or longer than the assigned length. Some sound bites add little or no color and provide information that could be better told in the reporter’s narration.

4. “D” stories require extensive rewriting and have numerous errors, and should not have been submitted. Camera work is unsatisfactory or fails to show important elements. 5. “F” stories have failed to meet the major criteria of the assignment, have numerous errors, or both. A story that has a factual error that is material to the story merits an F. The following are some other circumstances that would warrant an F grade:  Plagiarizing a script, portions of a script or information from any source, wire copy, feed packages another reporter’s package or story script.  Staging video: When the reporter tells or asks someone to do something specific unless that is revealed or made obvious in the context of the story. (Gray areas will be discussed in class.)  Using video shot by someone else and presenting it as his or her own work (some exceptions will be discussed in class, such as stand-ups when the reporter appears on camera)  Telling interview subjects what you want them to say  Distorting video: shooting video in one location and presenting it as being another location  Using the camcorder to intentionally intimidate, provoke or incite a person or a group of people to elicit more “dramatic” video.  Promising, paying or giving someone something in exchange for doing an interview, either on or off camera.

B. PLAGIARISM/ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Plagiarism is defined as taking ideas or writings from another and passing them off as one’s own. Plagiarism is a serious violation of the School of Journalism’s policy on academic integrity. A student found guilty of plagiarism is subject to dismissal from the journalism major.

The following is the School of Journalism’s policy on academic integrity as published in the University catalogue:

“Since its founding, the USC School of Journalism has maintained a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct and academic excellence. Any student found guilty of plagiarism, fabrication, cheating on examinations, or purchasing papers or other assignments will receive a failing grade in the course and will be dismissed as a major from the School of Journalism. There are no exceptions to this policy. Plagiarism is defined as taking ideas or writings from another and passing them off as one’s own; in journalism and in public relations, this means appropriating the words or ideas of another without clear attribution.” C. LATE ASSIGNMENTS Core policy is that no late assignments will be accepted, except for verified medical reasons or documented extraordinary circumstances. Meeting deadlines is a journalistic necessity in the real world.

D. REWRITING STORIES: You will be allowed to rewrite, re-shoot or re-edit assignments to achieve a higher grade. Such rewrites must be done within a deadline to be determined by the instructor and the two grades will be averaged. Early drafts of scripts turned in for instructor comments before the initial deadline for each project can be rewritten without penalty. This policy does not apply to Package #4 (final exam).

COURSE GRADES:

Quizzes and Ethics Essays 10% Package #1 10% Package #2 15% Package #3 20% Newscast rundown and explanation 10% Package #4 25% ATVN Learning Lab 10%

ATTENDANCE:

You are expected to be in class every week or to obtain the instructor’s approval in advance if you will miss a class, except for verified medical reasons or emergencies.

You will be allowed to edit packages in the Annenberg Digital Lab only if you attend the advanced Avid editing workshop Week 3 and complete required work.

Although the syllabi are similar, every core class is different, so you cannot make up a class session by going to another class in the same sequence, except for the Avid workshop. DISABILITY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS:

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to instructor as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301. Phone: (213) 740-0776.

CLASS SCHEDULE

WEEK 1 -- AUGUST 25 -- INTRODUCTION

 Introduction, review syllabus, outline semester and projects  View samples of exceptional writing and producing  View samples of exceptional photojournalism  Discuss expectations for what students should be able to do by the end of the semester

Homework Assignment: E-mail me a letter, which details your interests and goals in journalism. Feel free to use this assignment to show off your writing skills. Write conversationally. Make it interesting. This assignment will not be graded but it will be used for preliminary judgments about your writing and storytelling abilities. Due by e-mail no later than Friday, August 28.

Reading Assignment: (Most reading assignments are not shown in this syllabus because they will be drawn from current examples. This reading material will be assigned in class, and it will usually be distributed in class or e-mailed to you.)

For this week, read the ethics statement prepared by the Society of Professional Journalists: http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp WEEK 2 -- SEPTEMBER 1 – -- THE ELEMENTS OF A POWERFUL STORY

 Outline elements that make up a compelling story  Discuss elements in investigative, general news, special segments and feature stories  How to develop story ideas based on these elements, cultivate sources, conduct initial research  Once you have a topic, how to identify necessary story elements including interview subjects and broll

Homework Assignment:

View winning stories at the National Press Photographer’s Association Web site. You be the judge of these winners, then decide which you think are the top three stories of the year, ranked from 1st to 3rd place. Write a short critique of your top three choices to be turned in two weeks (September 15th) in class. The stories can be found here: http://www.nppa.org/competitions/quarterly_clip_contests/TV_regional/2008/winne rs_of_year/comments.html

WEEK 3 – SEPTEMBER 8 -- AVID EDITING IN CLASS WORKSHOP

This session is mandatory. We will meet in the Avid Digital Lab. Room G40 (Garden Level) not in our regular classroom.

Homework Assignment:

 Finish editing the package you started in the in-class Avid editing workshop. Deadline is next Tuesday. Take care in balancing audio levels between reporter narration and background ambient sound. Students who have not completed editing the workshop package will not be allowed to edit any additional class projects on the Avid computers.

WEEK 4 – SEPTEMBER 15TH -- VIDEOGRAPHY: THE BROADCAST JOURNALIST’S CANVASS

We will discuss in detail the art of videography. We will learn how to plan ahead to get the most powerful visual elements. We will go beyond the basics (wide, medium, tight shots, avoiding zooms and pans, avoiding jump cuts) to discuss how to shoot sequences, how to create strong opening and closing sequences, how to shoot interviews and how to shoot and use natural sound. We will view examples and discuss each student’s favorite stories from the September 1st homework assignment.

 Planning ahead for compelling video  The opening sequence  Natural Sound: The Life of the Story  Shooting interviews  Shooting sequences  Closing Sequence

Homework Assignment:  Shoot Pkg #1: The 24th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day is this Saturday, September 19th. Research story on the Internet and shoot it at a beach or inland waterway of your choice between 9 a.m. and noon. You will produce your first narrated package from this material. Students who cannot shoot this story for any reason must propose an alternate story on a Story Idea Form for approval in advance.

WEEK 5 – SEPTEMBER 22 – The Profile Feature

We will discuss and watch examples of stories that profile interesting people. What are the elements that make a powerful profile? What role does video and natural sound play in a good feature? We will examine these questions and explore techniques that can help draw out your subject and capture powerful elements in his/her life.

Homework Assignment:  Finish writing and editing your Coastal Clean-up story and bring a copy to class next week on a Mini-DV tape. Your story is due at the start of class next week.  Three story pitches for your next project (Pkg #2) will be due next week. Story pitch forms will be emailed to each student and they may be printed and filled out by hand or completed electronically and sent to the instructor by email. All pitch forms must be emailed or turned in no later than the beginning of class next week (Sept. 29th)

WEEK 6 – SEPTEMBER 29 -- SHOW AND TELL

Each student must bring to class a mini-DV of your edited story on the Coastal Cleanup with hard copy of complete script. (Student may choose to email copy of script to instructor no later than the beginning of class). We will view and discuss Package #1. We will also discuss story ideas each student has turned in for package #2. Story subjects for each student for Pkg. #2 will be assigned. Homework Assignment:  Begin shooting Pkg #2

WEEK 7 – OCTOBER 6 – WRITING TO VIDEO

Broadcast news stories are not written, they are produced. The written word is just one element that helps to weave the story together. Tonight we will discuss how to put words, video and natural sound together to produce a powerful story. We will learn how to write to the video so that the pictures are enhanced but not described. We will discuss techniques for writing in and out of sound bites to keep the story flowing smoothly. We will examine the purpose of the beginning, the middle and the end of the story. We will examine the importance of opening and closing sequences.

Homework Assignment:  Pkg #2 is due next week. Complete package #2 and bring Mini-DV copy of edited story to class next week.

WEEK 8 – OCTOBER 13 – SHOW AND TELL PACKAGE #2

Each student must bring mini-DV copy of Package #2, along with hard copy of script to class. (Student may choose to email a copy of the script to instructor no later than the beginning of class tonight.)

 View and discuss Package #2

Homework Assignment:  Write three story pitches for Pkg #3 and detail the elements in each pitch that make the story compelling. You will pick one of these stories as your assignment for Package #3, which is due at the start of class on Week 12, November 10th and is to be 1:30 to 1:45 in length and should involve multiple locations and interviews

WEEK 9 – OCTOBER 20th -- LONG FORM: PRODUCING IN-DEPTH STORIES

We will learn how to produce longer stories for broadcast. We will discuss structure, pacing, and other elements which differ from daily short form broadcast news stories. We will also discuss the role of long form stories and documentaries in the broader landscape of broadcast journalism. We will also view many examples of excellent long form stories. Story pitches for Pkg. #3 are due at the start of class tonight.

Homework Assignment:  Read chapter 11 of Tuggle’s “Broadcast News Handbook.”  Before class next Tuesday, October 27th , purchase and skim through the L.A. Times of that morning. Bring that edition to class that day and be prepared to discuss which stories you propose including in your newscast, and why. You may want to get a jump on the stories by watching two or more television newscasts Tuesday evening – at least one local and one national newscast. WEEK 10 – OCTOBER 27 – PRODUCING NEWSCASTS

Tonight you will learn how to produce a 30-minute newscast. We will discuss what a producer does. What decision does he or she make, and on what basis are those decisions made? We will use today’s October 27th Los Angeles Times to block out (paper- produce) a sample newscast in class based on a vote of your story selections and time allotments.

Homework Assignment #1:  Using the form provided, block out a 30-minute television newscast for a Los Angeles audience at 6 p.m, using tomorrow’s (Wed., Oct. 28th ) Los Angeles Times for your story selections. (You may assume each story occurred on the day of your “newscast.”) Attach a sheet explaining in general terms what elements you are using for each story. Also, attach a sheet explaining why you produced the newscast as you did, discussing the placement of each story, not simply why you used the story. Due next Tuesday , November 3rd.

Homework Assignment #2:  Start shooting Pkg#3 which will be due in three weeks on November 10th

WEEK 11 – NOVEMBER 3 -- THE 30 MINUTE NEWSCAST

We will view newscasts of the three major network owned stations from Wednesday, Oct 28 (the same night your “newscast” was to air) to compare and discuss the role of the local 30-minute newscast in a community. We will discuss the similarities and the differences between the newscasts.

Homework Assignment:  Complete Pkg#3, it is due next week.

WEEK 12 – NOVEMBER 10 – SHOW AND TELL PKG #3

Package #3 is due at the beginning of class tonight. Each student must bring a completed mini-DV copy of Package #3, along with hard copy of script. (Student may choose to email script to instructor no later than the beginning of class tonight).

 View and discuss Package #3

Homework Assignment:  Write 3 story pitches, and detail the elements in each pitch that make the story compelling.  For each pitch, identify the elements that will be needed to tell the story, including sound bites, broll, etc.  You will pick one of these stories as your final assignment for Package #4, which is due December 15th and is to be 2:00-2:15 in length and should involve multiple locations and interviews

WEEK 13 -- NOVEMBER 17 – LIVE REMOTES AND BREAKING NEWS

 We will view examples and discuss strategies for reporting live from breaking news locations  We will videotape “live” shots in class, in a simulated breaking news situation and demonstrate techniques that will help students stay calm under pressure  Discussion of final project

Homework Assignment:  Continue work on final project due by 7 p.m. December 15th

WEEK 14 – NOVEMBER 24TH, STRATEGIES FOR FINDING YOUR FIRST JOB

 How to put together a strong resume tape  The value of internships and networking  Discussion of final project

Homework Assignment:  Continue work on final project due 7 p.m. in three weeks (Dec. 15)  Students are encouraged to bring scripts and/or video excerpts from final project to discuss in class next week.

WEEK 15 – DECEMBER 1st – FINAL CLASS SESSION – LAST REVIEW OF ELEMENTS FOR FINAL PROJECT

We will discuss progress on final project. What is missing? Which elements can still be included to make the story powerful and compelling? What are your opening and closing sequences? Final checklist will be discussed. Individual sessions with instructor will be provided to those students who desire review of script or edited first draft of story.

Homework Assignment:  Complete final project due in classroom 7 p.m. Dec. 15th

WEEK 16 – DECEMBER 8TH – Study Day- Optional Class session

This week falls in the middle of study week for finals, this class session will be optional for those students who would like time with instructor to go over any issues surrounding final project. Week 17 - DECEMBER 15TH ---- FINAL PROJECT DUE IN CLASS NO LATER THAN 7PM

Final projects are due tonight at 7pm. Students must bring Mini-DV copy of story and hard copy of script. (Student may choose to email a copy of script to instructor no later than 7pm tonight.) We will have optional show and tell sessions for students who would like to share their final projects.