A RADIO PRODUCTION COURSE as taught by Geogre Lessard (adapted for use with the Inuit of Arctic Quebec) COURSE GOALS & DESCRIPTION A production course in how to use the microphone, audio tape & digital audio equipment. Also, how to edit audio, especially for use in broadcast journalism. Brief overview and history of electronic journalism and some issues of controversy. OBJECTIVES General To develop in the student the skills, techniques and art of radio news through sound and the spoken word. It is a "hands-on" course teaching the use of the microphone, recorder, the phone, satellite networks and the editing equipment used to create the short inserts used in normal studio news programs. SPECIFIC At the end of the semester the students should know; A) the difference and similarities between print and broadcast journalism B) radio news production; know it's definition and contribution to local broadcast journalism C) know how to use remote equipment, especially the audio tape recorder D) know the technique of mixing audio sources E) know the techniques of audio tape editing, especially for use in radio news. COURSE OUTLINE I - Equipment for Radio News Production 1.1 Microphones 1.2 Sound recording Machines 1.3 Portable Sound Mixers 1.4 Sound transmission over lines 1.5 Telephone Recordings 1.6 Wireless Microphones and Microphone Transmitters 1.7 Radio Newsgathering Vehicles 1.8 Wireless News Links I I - News Directives 2.1 Organization of the Newsroom 2.2 What is news 2.3 News Sources 2.4 News Formats 2.5 National constraints and legal aspects 2.6 The A.B.C.: Accuracy-Balance-Clarity I I I Writing for Radio News 3.1 Writing for the ear: five principals 3.2 How to make your copy sound lively 3.3 How to shape a sentence 3.4 How to structure a news item 3.5 How to grab the attention of the listener 3.6 How to retain the interest of the listener 3.7 Helping the newsreader I V - Reporting 4.1 The Basics of Reporting 4.2 Quoting the Source 4.3 Tools for Newsgathering 4.4 Handouts, News Releases 4.5 Covering Speeches 4.6 Covering Seminars, Conferences 4.7 Covering Disasters, Obituaries 4.8 Crime and Court Reporting V Interviewing for Radio News 5.1 Types of Interviews 5.2 Planning and Preparation of the Interview 5.3 The Question Line during the Broadcast Interview 5.4 Recording the Interview 5.5 Editing the Recorded Interview V I Bulletin Editing 6.1 The Basics of Bulletin Editing 6.2 Lifetime of a News Item Follow up of News 6.3 Length of a Story 6.4 Bulletin Structure and Content 6.5 Main Points and Recapitulation V I I Presentation 7.1 Towards more lively news 7.2 Types of news programmes 7.3 Actuality - inserts 7.4 Voice Reports 7.5 Running Order 7.6 The approach of the newscaster PRE-REQUISITES Communications-150 (for majors) Permission of Department/Instructor EVALUATION A) A written final exam or - B) A News Portfolio (audiotape) to be turned in at the end of the semester containing what the student thinks is the best of this work. This audio tape should contain examples of course news principles and audio recording & editing techniques. Tapes will be limited to 10 minutes in length. GRADING Project # 1 - Record & edit a 1-minute news segment with "studio" audio only ...10 % Project # 2 - Record & edit a 2-minute news segment with "studio" and "sound bit" ...10 % Project # 3 - Record and edit a 5-minute news show with at least 3 news "bites". Show requires an "in-studio" news anchor, telephone feeds opening & closing. ...15 % Hands on test # 1 - Audio Recorder & microphone work: Student demonstrates privately to instructor a professional knowledge of the unit and its accessories and resolves problems set up by instructor. ...15 % Hands on test # 2 - Editing: Student demonstrates professional knowledge of editing and resolves problems set up by the instructor ...15 % Quiz # 1 - Written quiz based mostly on text, especially vocabulary and tape editing concepts ... 5 % Quiz # 2 - Written quiz based on text/vocabulary ... 5 % Final tape - Students edits the best of their three projects into an 8-10 minute "demonstration" (demo) tape (that the student can take and use for employment/resumé possibilities). The tape may contain 2-3 minutes of new recording specifically for this tape. Tape should clearly show such talents as good recording, news value, focus, writing, "flow" & pacing: plus good editing practices, clean edits, good audio levels & audio balance. ...20 % Professional grade - (absences, lateness, news sense, equipment appreciation (care, maintenance, security) ... 5 % TOTAL............100 % TEXTS : HERE'S THE NEWS - A RADIO NEWS MANUAL - Compiled & edited by Paul De Maeseneer - Unesco Associate - Expert THE BROADCAST NEWS PROCESS (THIRD EDITION) - BY FREDERICK SHOOK/DAN LATIMORE, MORTON PUBLISHING - ISBN 0-89582-164-8 BROADCAST NEWS, REPORTING & PRODUCTION - by White, Ted & Meppen - ISBN 0-02-427010-5, Macmillan Press, 1984
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