WCC COMM 119 Broadcast Production

1. PRODUCTION
PLANNING
C O M M 1 1 9 : B R O A D C A S T P R O D U C T I O N

2. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• So the votes are in and it was close (plus not every student voted) but the
TV PITCH idea we are going with is FINAL BREAK (see details on the next
slide). Again, everything we cover in this class should be applicable to
any Broadcast Production project but it’s very useful to have a project in
mind as we go through the material.
• We will use this theoretical show, FINAL BREAK, as a basis for future
assignments and discussions.
• Thanks to all you who submitted ideas – every single one of them was
intriguing and full of promise so why not keep working on them for
yourselves?

3. FINAL BREAK INFORMATION
• FINAL BREAK: The transition from small farm town in Salt Lake City, Utah to the more suburban life in
Hartsdale, NY will probably be one of the Hecklers, a small polygamous family from Utah, greatest
challenges.
• 45 minutes – CABLE NETWORK
• Romantic-Comedy/Drama hybrid
• Main characters:
• David Heckler: The man of the house. Born and raised to a polygamous family and raised on a small
farm. Good natured but usually is blind to low key conflicts. Recently added a new wife to the family
who is pregnant. Has the family's best interest at heart.
• Lisa Heckler: David's first wife. Is not familiar with the polygamous lifestyle but was very aware of the
possibility of a new family edition, although not so much open o the idea. Considers herself the "first
lady" of the house. Constantly looking to assert her dominance. Has the families best interest at heart
but is always secretly plotting against everyone for her own personal gain.
• Mary Ann Heckler: David's new pregnant second wife. Was born and raised to a polygamous family just
not in Utah. Is usually the peacemaker and is always trying to avoid conflict, considering she is the new
member of the house. Naive to almost everything that Lisa says because of the experience she already
has with David.

4. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• So now we have a production to work towards – that was Step #1 in our
PRODUCTION TASKLIST (Chapters 1, 2, & 3/Weeks #1 & 2) generally
titled “IDEAS” which includes:
– COMING UP WITH IDEAS
– DISCUSSING IN YOUR GROUP HOW THEY MIGHT WORK
– THINKING ABOUT THE STYLE OF THE PRODUCTION
• Now we move onto PRODUCTION PLANNING (Chapters 4 & 5/Week #3
material) which includes:
– PLANNING WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO
DO IT
– PLANNING WHO IS GOING TO DO WHAT ONE THE PROJECT

5. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• As your book details, you should think of a production
plan like a map – it’s there to help keep you on track
and get back on track when/if you wander off the path.
SOLID PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL TO A GOOD
PRODUCTION!
• We are going to deal with planning the shooting of
just the PILOT for FINAL BREAK and not the entire
series
• TV PILOT =A television pilot (also known as a pilot or
a pilot episode) is a standalone episode of a television

6. PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE
• The first step to a solid production plan is a TIMELINE
– A Timeline is a way of estimating how long things are going to take
– Our Timeline is going to be theoretical but should be taken seriously
nonetheless
– Here is our Timeline so far:Tasks What’s involved Start Finish
Ideas This can include:
 Coming up with the ideas for your TV show
 Discussing in your group how the TV show might work
 Thinking about the style of the TV show
1/23 1/29
Production
planning
This includes
 Planning what you are going to do and how you are going to do
it
 Planning who is going to do what on the project
1/31 2/5

7. PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE
• Here’s a great example of how to
approach a timeline using an
IF/THEN structure (p. 22). By
starting at the end result and
working backwards, you can
figure how when you need to
start. Of course you need to have
existing knowledge of how long
things typically take and the
scope of your particular project
to make this work the best for
you, but it’s a good approach to
use going forward.
When do we have to deliver the
project?
(DELIVERY DATE)
If we want to submit the final
project by
We need to finish the fine cut/mix
by
If we want to finish our fine
cut/mix by
We need the viewing by
If we want to have a viewing by We need to have our rough cut by
If we want to finish rough
cut/rough mix
We need to start our edit by
If we want to start our edit We need to finish shooting by
If we want to finish
shooting/recording by
We need to start filming by
If we want to start
shooting/recording by
We need to have our
script/outline by
If we want to have our script by We need to finish our research by
If we want to finish our research
by
We need to start our research by
If we want to start our research by
We need to have chosen an idea
by

8. PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS
• For your assignment this week you are to allocate the upcoming necessary
tasks for our TV Project Pilot – here is a brief lists of those tasks we need for
FINAL BREAK:Production Setting up the shoots, organizing all the cast, technicians, and locations. Dealing with money and
permissions. Looking after the production plan and the timing. Making sure everyone knows
what they are supposed to be doing and when they are supposed to do it.
FOR OUR PURPOSES, EACH STUDENT IS A/THE PRODUCER
Directing On the shoot itself it will involve directing the camera or actors and deciding what shots or
sound to get. The director should be responsible for the storyboard, if it’s used.
Scriptwriting The principal scriptwriter(s) for the program
Camera work Operating the camera, finding the best shots, looking after any lighting, taking care of the
equipment, checking the rushes, labelling the tapes correctly.
Sound recording Recording sound, looking after the sound equipment to make sure it’s working properly, making
sure all sound is properly checked on the recording day.
Editing Cutting the film in the editing suite.
Costume/Makeup/Props
(related but not the same
– 3 different positions!)
Finding all the costumes needed for the shoot. Making sure everything is in the right place at the
right time and clean and tidy. Makeup artists will apply any makeup needed. They are
responsible for bringing the right makeup to the shoot. Sourcing any props needed for the
shoot. Getting them to the shoot and having them ready at the right place at the right time.

9. PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS
• For our purposes, each of you is a/the PRODUCER for FINAL
BREAK and it is your job to identify people who think can
handle the other 8 basic tasks:
– DIRECTOR
– SCRIPTWRITER(S)
– CAMERAWORK
– SOUND RECORDING
– EDITING
– COSTUME
– MAKEUP
– PROPS

10. PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS
•GO TO WEEK #3 AND DO
THE ASSIGNMENT AND
CLASS DISCUSSION BY
SUNDAY, 2/5 @ MIDNIGHT