Introduction

to Broadcasting
Syllabus 2017-2018

Instructor Information:
Teacher: Mrs. Emily Marburger (Ellis)
Miss Nancy Golio

Room: Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 14

Contact: Phone: Mrs. Marburger: 724-808-2500; ext. 2014

Miss Golio: 724-808-2500; ext. 2015
Email: emily.ellis@bellevernonarea.net
nancy.golio@bellevernonarea.net

Website: http://www.bellevernonarea.net/bvahs

Required Text: None

Required Materials: 8 GB minimum flash drive, binder, head phones
Suggested Materials: 8 GB minimum SD memory Card

Additional Resources: Video Basics 5 by Zettl, book and workbook.

Broadcast Announcing 4 by Hausman et all.

Course Description:
Introduction to Broadcasting is a course designed to foster positive learning experiences while
teaching the basic production techniques both behind and in front of the camera. The course is
designed to involve students in the technological environment of both live and recorded video
productions. It is a hands on course that involves high energy and active participation of the
students working under time constraints of production deadlines for news packages and videos,
and aid in production of announcements. Students will learn: proper camera framing, video
editing, the main elements of news packages and how to put one together, shot sequences, on-
air performance, how to effectively produce a school broadcast, how to operate the Tricaster
and cameras, ingesting graphics into the Tricaster, how to produce a show using a virtual set,
and operating Canon Rebel t3is. The class is designed to provide the necessary knowledge to
run the school’s equipment and produce both independent productions and the daily
announcements that are aired over the closed circuit TV system of the school and Promethean
boards. The class will provide practical knowledge for the student as well as problem solving
skills, teamwork, and showcase creativity. This class serves as the entry course to the
broadcasting pathway. Students will be expected to be active participants in all aspects of the
productions and will be responsible for producing and keeping on record a portfolio of all their
work for each segment of the school year. Portfolios will include written assignments, video or
audio recordings of independent productions, video or audio recordings of closed circuit
broadcasts, and any aspect of a production that they are involved with. Portfolios will be
checked at the end of every 9 weeks to make sure they are current and accurately reflect the
volume and quality of the student’s work. Students are required to obtain a 8 GB flash drive and
head phones.

Students are responsible for replacing any equipment that is damaged or missing when
using it outside of class or damaged due to negligence during class.

*Course description is subject to change.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

1. Learn and demonstrate competency in all aspects of broadcast productions.

2. Demonstrate competency in technical aspects of productions.
3. Demonstrate competency in on-camera aspects of productions.
4. Demonstrate competency in producing live broadcasts.
5. Interpret video footage for selective editing (storytelling).
6. Produce videos in a professional manner using digital non-linear editing techniques.
7. Use light and sound techniques to enhance video productions.
8. Demonstrate the ability to produce and air webcasts using BVA-TV equipment.

Content Summary:

1. Organizational Strategies and Content Development

2. Studio & Field Camerawork (Techniques/Styles/Angles).
3. Studio & Field Production Techniques.
4. Video Editing Techniques.
5. Writing for Television.
6. Special Effects.
7. On Air Broadcasting Techniques.
8. Ethical Considerations.

Academic Honesty:
.
All work (homework included) submitted by the student shall be his/her own work. Work taken
from others shall be deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate a ZERO on the required
effort.
Class Policies and Expectations:
1. Attend the class regularly and participate in all activities.
2. Complete instructor directed assignments.
3. Maintain a classroom folder and notebook for handouts, notes, and assignments.
4. Bring all necessary materials to class daily. You will not leave class to get your
materials. The only time you do not need to bring materials to class is if I personally tell
you not to bring them.
5. Class will begin after the bell rings. This means that all pencils should be sharpened;
class materials and homework and warm-up sheets should be on your desk and ready to
go.
6. No Cellphones.
7. No Food or Drinks permitted in classroom or studio.
8. If you have to use the restroom, please do so the first five minutes. If it is an emergency,
just raise your hand and ask. There will be a sign out sheet on my desk. Bring your
agenda book as you sign out. You cannot leave the room to go anywhere without an
agenda book. Be prepared for assessments whether written or practical in nature.
9. Cooperate in all group work assignments, sharing knowledge and ideas equally.
10. Meet all your production and classroom deadlines.
11. Act in a professional manner at all times both on and off the air.
12. Treat others will respect.
13. Represent BVA-TV in a positive manner.
14. Keep the highest possible Ethical Standards in all work.
Homework will be checked at the beginning of each class. If you do not have it, you will
be given a zero for that assignment. If you are absent, please turn in your homework
when you return to class. It is your responsibility to make up work missed, not mine. Any
homework not made up by the allotted time frame, will result in a zero for that
assignment. If you miss a test, please make up the test as soon as you return to school.
You will only have a certain number of days to make up missed tests. This is detailed in
the Agenda Book.
Any tests or quizzes not made up will result in a zero for that test or quiz. There will be
exceptions made for lengthy illnesses.
15. Extra credit is NEVER given to boost your grade. There are many opportunities
throughout the nine weeks grading period to receive bonus points on concepts we are
learning, but NEVER to boost your grade at the end of the nine weeks. DON’T ASK!

Disabilities:
If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, you need to notify the teacher no
later than the 2nd week of class.
Course Grading Criteria:

All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:

A - 90-100
B - 80-89
C - 70-79
D - 60-69
F - 0-59

Attendance is key to every class. Student will have two weeks to make up any missing
assignment before it will result in a zero for the grade. If attending field trips, work must be
completed or turned in on day it is due regardless of day of field trip. Students are responsible
for asking for missed work and completing it for the next day.

Assignments per Quarter:

Student Portfolios:

There will be an ongoing portfolio assignment for all introduction to broadcasting students which
will include all samples of student work (video, audio, written, graphics, visual aids, scripts, etc.
). Students are required to keep their portfolios up to date to be checked at the end of every
nine weeks. Video, audio, graphic, and visual aids are to be saved on the students thumb drive
immediately after completion of an assignment or project. Written work is to be copied and kept
in the portfolio as well. Examples:

1. On-air work in studio or in the field

2. Editing clips/new skills
3. Written scripts
4. Camera Techniques in studio or in the field
5. Graphics created for on air use
6. Visual Aids created for on air use
7. Storyboards created for production work
8. Pre and Post production analysis of projects
9. Written Critiques of projects

*Assignments are subject to change.

Assessments:

Students will be graded in a variety of ways:

 1. There will be an on-going portfolio assignment that will be checked at the end of every
nine weeks
2. Production assignments will be graded upon completion and airing
3. Miscellaneous projects will be graded upon completion and airing
4. Practical and Written Tests will be given on the working of the equipment, the production
process, camerawork, editing, graphics and special effects

* Assessments are subject to change.

Emphasis will be on formal assessments. Therefore, grades will be weighted in this course.

Formal Assessments will account for 90% of a student’s grade (quizzes, tests, projects,
performance-based rubrics, class participation, essays, graded homework, etc.)

Informal Assessments will account for 10% of a student’s grade (homework for completion,
progress checks, exit tickets, etc.)

Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.

Standards:

1. Introduction to Broadcasting students are EXPECTED to conduct themselves in a

PROFESSIONAL manner at all times. Failure to do so will result in a loss of
participation points.
2. Student’s productions must meet school standards for broadcast and the instructor and
principals retain the right to censor any inappropriate language/behavior/actions that
take place.
3. Students are also liable to disciplinary action should they violate Number 1 & 2.

Home Access Center (HAC):

My weekly calendar will be updated every Friday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes
and Tests are also posted weekly. Grades will be updated every Friday on Home Access
Center. If you lost or cannot remember log in information, please contact our Counseling
Department at 724-808-2500

Course Outline:
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter
• News
Determinants • Matching B-roll

• Studio Training • Voice Overs

and
Competency • Off-location
News Package
• 3 Stages of Creation
Production
•
• DSLR Training • Stand-ups

• Basic Shot • Lower Thirds

Sequences and
Framing • News Package
Creation
• Basic Editing
• Off-location
• News Package video
Elements and
Creation • Studio Video

• Portfolio • Live Show

Review
• Portfolio
Review

*Course outline is subject to change.