Grafton Community Television
Production Course Outline
The Grafton Community Television Production course is a free 8 week course held on Monday nights from 7 – 9 pm at the GCTV Studio, 296 Providence Rd., South Grafton, MA. The course designed to give the student a thorough overview of all aspects of Television Production. Topics for the weekly classes are as follows:
Week 1- Introduction to Public Access Television
Students learn the differences between Broadcast and Access Television, what the role of the Producer is in Public Access TV, how to bring your idea to life, release forms, and copyright infringement.
Week 2- Camcorder Operation & Recording in the Field
Students learn all the controls, functions and techniques used in shooting with a handheld camcorder, how to ensure that they get quality video on a field shoot, and equipment safety.
Week 3- Audio & Microphones Types, Lighting Techniques
Students learn the differences between microphone types and pick up patterns, audio cables and connectors, how to use audio mixers, the basics of 3 point lighting, and how to use lighting for effect in a shoot.
Week 4- Operation of Studio Cameras
Students learn how to set up and operate studio cameras, as well as camera & tripod movements, lens commands and specific camera shots.
Week 5- Studio Crew Positions & Directing
Students learn all the studio crew positions from Floor Manager to Director, and how each position functions together to make a production run smoothly.
Week 6- Editing- Linear/Non-Linear
Students are taught the basics of linear editing; from in and out points to control track, and are given a brief overview and demonstration of Non-Linear editing.
Week 7- In-class assistance with production of PSA’s/Make-Up Session
Week 8- Class Project Screening/ Certification
Class Requirements & Class Project
To become fully certified as a Grafton Public Access Producer, each student must fulfill 3 requirements:
1. Mandatory Attendance: The first requirement for certification is attendance at all of the 1st six classes, or attendance at the make up session to cover a missed class. All of the 1st 6 class sessions are hands on type of class work that will be difficult to master if you are not in the class environment, so please make the necessary arrangements to be at the studio for the first 6 weeks of the course.
2. Mandatory Crewing of at least 1 GCTV Shoot: The second requirement for certification is mandatory crewing of at least one studio shoot for any show in production at GCTV. You may serve as any crew position you choose, and you must make arrangements through the Public Access Coordinator to participate in a shoot. It is suggested that you will want to complete this requirement as soon as you can to avoid have to finish up your class work after the 8 week session is over. We have plenty of shoots happening all the time, so we will more than likely be able to find one to fit your timetable.
3. Class Project: The final requirement is the individual Class Project- an original 30 second PSA written, produced, shot, directed and edited by each student. These projects will be screened during Week 8 of our class, when certification will also be awarded. You can plan and shoot for your PSA at any time during the class, or you may make arrangements to come to the studio during non-class hours to work on it. The staff is more than happy to assist you in completing your project, so don’t be afraid to ask for their assistance and guidance.
If all course work is not completed at the end of week 8, you will not be awarded your class certificate at the final class session. You may however, finish up any class work after the course is completed and still receive your certificate at a later date.
Note: Certification is given only upon demonstration of both good working knowledge of television production methods and an attitude of respect and care for equipment. Due to the nature of the lectures and supervised hands-on operation of the equipment, attendance at sessions 1- 6 is mandatory. Exceptions may be made for a reasonable excused absence and mandatory presence at the make up session. Unexcused absences will result in forfeiture of certification.