Learning outcomes

Write an effective treatment and programme billing demonstrating the essential qualities of a programme pitch to support an idea.
Source ideas, distinguishing between formal and informal sources, and evaluate their story potential.
Evaluate and distinguish between different formats of factual programme and how the selected transmission time, transmission network and intended audience effects the style, format and content in which the programme is produced.
Demonstrate an understanding of ITC guidelines and BBC Editorial policy issues while recognising and articulating arguments surrounding the importance of ethics in programme making.
Successfully recce filming locations and prepare a brief for the producer/director. (Including a health and safety assessment)
Source appropriate written and audio-visual documents while demonstrating an understanding of the clearance and copyright laws that govern use of such material.
Understand the relationship between contributor casting and good story-telling while demonstrating an ability to professionally communicate with potential cast members via letter, e-mail and telephone.

Content

Essential qualities of the programme pitch to support an idea.
Where to find ideas and how to turn ideas into stories
How to distinguish between formal and informal sources of information and evaluate their relative strengths and weaknesses.
An understanding of television audiences
How to write a treatment
How to write a ‘Radio Times Billing’
An understanding of ITC guidelines and BBC Editorial policy issues
Where to find appropriate locations
The importance of an efficient recce including a health and safety assessment
Where to find archive sources (visual material)
Where to find written information sources
How to cast the story
Where to find the people
How to deal effectively with contributors
An understanding of clearance and copyright
The importance of ethics in programme making
The importance of note taking
Where the researcher fits in the production team

Aims