ND Creative Media Production Y2

Semester 1 2019-20
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Assignment Details Contents

Title: Understanding Factual Programme This is your first assignment brief for this
Production Techniques for Television Unit. It covers the first 2 Outcomes, in
Assessors: Jim Doherty both of which you must achieve a Pass.
School: Media, Multimedia & Performing Arts The brief outlines what you must do to
Programme level: 3 Assignment number: 1 achieve a Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
Read the Scenario and Tasks and follow
Issue date: Interim hand-in (if them closely using the notes and
17/09/2019 applicable): N/A guidelines covered in class and resources
Feedback: Due: 15/10/2019 provided.
29/10/2019
IV: IV date:

Outcomes:
1 Understand issues relating to factual programming for television
2 Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television

Overview
Indicative Content
1 Understand issues relating to factual programming for television
Issues: accuracy; balance; impartiality; objectivity; subjectivity; opinion; bias; representation;
access; privacy; contract with viewer

2 Understand codes and conventions of factual programming for television

News: studio news readers; field reporters; links to studio; mode of address to viewer; interviewing;
experts and witnesses; report structure; actuality footage
Documentary: documentary formats (expository, observational, interactive, reflexive, performative);
realism; dramatisation; narrativisation

Scenario
For this assignment students are working for a media production company. The company is
about to produce a series of factual programmes and has to employ some producers. You’ve
been given the task of writing up a short guidance manual for these producers outlining the
issues facing producers of factual programming and the impact this can have on their work.

You will also prepare and deliver a Powerpoint presentation to factual programme producers. In it
you will identify and explain to them the Codes and Conventions of News and Documentary
programmes, showing how they differ from other genres such as drama i.e. how they determine
what a factual programme ‘looks’ like.

During class you will access a range of factual programme formats and styles that target
different audiences. Class discussion of selected material will support your analyses of current
factual programmes and inform your own practical work.
Independent study is also encouraged, in order for you to provide evidence of individual
achievement and understanding.
 ND Creative Media Production Y2
Semester 1 2019-20
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Tasks Pass Criteria

1. Produce a short Guidance Manual on the issues To achieve each outcome a
facing producers of factual programming and the learner must demonstrate
impact this can have on their work. (750-1000 the ability to:
words) ( P1)
P1 Describe issues relating
2. Produce a Powerpoint presentation on Codes and to factual television
Conventions of News and Documentary programmes programmes with some
showing how these Codes and Conventions relate to appropriate use of
the type of programme and make it distinct from subject terminology
other genres such as drama, and determine what a
factual programme ‘looks’ like. (P2) P2 Describe codes and
conventions of factual
Consider the case studies and examples we have looked at television programmes
in class, class notes and discussions to complete the expressing ideas with some
assignment. appropriate use of subject
terminology
Tasks:

1. Research the issues facing producers of factual

programming (P1)
2. Select particular examples from your research to
illustrate your responses (P1)
3. Produce a textbook chapter on the issues facing
producers of factual programming and the impact
these can have on their work.(P1)
4. Analyse a range of News and Documentary
programmes and identify common codes and
conventions (P2)
5. Produce a PowerPoint presentation on codes and
conventions of News and Documentary programmes
with clips and examples (P2)
6. Present your Powerpoint, explaining how these codes
and conventions inform or determine audience
responses. (P2)

1. Read the assessment criteria’s carefully and make sure you

attempt them at all levels to include Pass Merit and
Distinction grades.

Merit Criteria Distinction Criteria

ND Creative Media Production Y2
Semester 1 2019-20
U27: Factual Programme Production Techniques for Television

Merit: - Pass criteria plus following Distinction: - Merit criteria plus

following

M1 Explain issues relating to factual D1 Comprehensively explain issues relating

television programmes with reference to to factual television programmes with
detailed illustrative examples and with elucidated examples and consistently using
generally correct use of subject terminology subject terminology correctly

M2 Explain codes and conventions of factual D2 Comprehensively explain codes and

television programmes with reference to conventions of factual programmes with
detailed illustrative examples and with elucidated examples and consistently using
generally correct use of subject terminology subject terminology correctly

Guidance
Use the examples covered in class, along with notes from class discussions, lectures and research.

Use the links and resources provided on Moodle as well as the links below:
www.bbc.co.uk/academy
www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines – BBC producers’ guidelines
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/categories/factual
https://www.channel4.com/producers-handbook/c4-guidelines/factual-programme-guidelines

Support materials

BBC Producer’s Guidelines

Jarvis P — A Production Handbook (Focal Press, 1993)
Mike C — The Practical Director (Focal Press, 1993)
Baker M and Darlow M — Documentary in the Digital Age (Focal Press, 2003)
BBC Producer’s Guidelines (BBC, most recent edition)
Emm A — Research for Television and Radio (Routledge, 2002)
Grant T — Audio for Single Camera Operation (Focal Press, 2002)
Millerson G — Video Production Handbook, 3rd Edition (Focal Press, 2001)
Musburger R — Single-Camera Video Production, 3rd Edition (Focal Press, 2002)
URL http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis
Cyber College and Media College for notes on TV studio productions.
www.filmsite.org.uk - for film genres, narrative structure, and codes and conventions,
www.screenonline - for TV drama genres, narrative structure, and codes and conventions
British Film Institute Resources at WWW.bfi.org.uk
British Film Institute Magazine at WWW.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound
Visit the college Library where you will find a number of books that will be very useful for notes for this
project.