Downloadable Lesson Plans For Broadcasting Teachers
Here are some assignments we use to build our students skills.
LINE OF SIGHT
All electromagnetic communications relies on Line of sight communications. The receiver needs to have clear line of sight in order to clearly and quickly receive information. Think about your cell phone, when you need a good signal inside a building you move to the windows! Why? To improve line of sight. Understanding line of sight is key to understanding where cable came from (putting the antenna on the mountain to pass the signal to the valley), and how terrestrial and celestial (satellite) communications function. The lessons to the right are designed to help students understand line of sight by creating a transmission system that uses it. Often, students create systems that require 'bending' around a blind corner--which can be deadly to a line of sight system. The idea is to let students figure it out and discover the value of a line of sight system; that is why they cannot speak or move during the timed exercise. |
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The Flagpole Series
The first shooting assignments our Broadcasting students get are called "Flagpoles". These assignments are meant to teach students how much they potentially don't know and how simple rules improve their product. The first two projects are designed as "in camera" edits--students simply shoot sequentially without the benefits of reshooting. The only pass/fail point during Flagpole #1 is tripod use. Don't use it? Don't pass. After reviewing Flagpole #1 students tend to agree that they were...weak. During Flagpole #2 we add another pass/fail point. If students pan, tilt or zoom they will automatically fail. This solves the problem of endless pans or zooms. We also introduce the concept of Neutral Frames (subject leaves frame then enters next frame) which dramatically shortens and improves videos. Flagpole #3 is an edited project. Students will need to be able load video and edit. Introducing the idea of storyboarding is vital at this point to help them learn preproduction and planning. Flagpole #4 adds timing constraints and required elements like Matched Action cuts. |
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StoryboardingThis is the introductory assignment for storyboarding.
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The Insane Client Assignments
Here are assignments designed practice and test for core skills like exposure, composition and tripod use. They also allow for some student creativity. The idea is basic: in the business world we all end up with an insane client who...well...wants what they want and we have to give it to them. These assignments are generally completed in one class period. I have included a "reshoot" assignment in order to help students understand that clients can be finicky. Also, this is a great "one-off" assignment that you can use to bridge a gap in the calendar. |
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180 Degree AssignmentThe 180 Assignment is designed to teach the 180 Rule (Action Axis) as well as demonstrate shooting, loading and edit skills.
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Parallel Action AssignmentThis assigment has 2 objectives: teach crosscutting by allowing students to do it AND to help them understand that the soundtrack makes a huge differnce in the emotional tone/mood of a piece.
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