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Assignment Brief
Unit 13: Radio Documentary Assignment 1: The Pitch Brief Information Project Title: The Pitch
Year 2
Date Issued: 13th October 2009
Mode of Assessment: Written Pitch
Submission Date: 10th November, 2009
Tutor: Orla Rapple
Result Date: 24th November 2009
Brief verified: 6th October 2009
This unit provides an introduction to the main production processes, styles, planning and techniques used Radio Documentary Production. This unit is linked with the learning in Unit 14: Audio Package Production, Unit 17:Radio Magazine Programming, Unit 20:Music Programme Production, Unit 2: Research Methods
Assignment Outline The purpose of this unit is to help you gain an understanding of radio documentary production. This is a powerful (and if done well often profitable) sector of radio programming. In order for you to make radio documentaries of broadcast quality it is important to first consider ideas such as audience research, formats, existing market, target audience and broadcast outlet as well as ethical considerations. It is also important to gain an understanding and appreciation of the different types of production techniques employed in making successful radio documentaries. You are asked to write an individual pitch (treatment) for a 9, 14 or 27 minute radio documentary. In this pitch you should consider the examples we have listened to and discussed in class, as well as your own listening and your own interests and experiences. From these pitches we will decide which ideas will be developed and produced as group projects for Assignment 2 of the Unit.
Presentation Format The following presentation formats are recommended when submitting your essay for assessment: Written Pitch This treatment should be no more than 1500 words (minimum 1000 words). The project should be submitted printed out on A4 paper and in a folder; you must include a cover page that includes your name, class, tutor, unit and project title. Your project should be presented using the guidelines set out in your Course Handbook.
Assessment Components The project is assessed through the following integrated units of assessment. Title Unit No. Learning Outcome No. Radio Documentary Production
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Tutor O.Rapple
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Deliverables You are asked to pitch an individual idea for a radio documentary. The completed pitch should be between 1000-1500 words and should adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Give a brief overview of your individual programme idea (250-300 words) 2. Identify and discuss a style for your documentary. Do this in reference to existing productions, mentioning at least three. (They do not necessarily have to be those listened to in class.) -Genre (refer to Sound and Vision- BCI website) -Theme tune/music beds (artist/song) -Presenter style (if needed)- eg will the presenter links be authoritative, easy going. Will you use short links or long narration explaining stats and history. -Programme structure 3. Outlet/Target Audience (be sure to make reference to JNLR/ BCI etc) -Who (refer to BCI website to find out target audience of station you would broadcast on) -When (timeslot- NB- if radio station has a documentary series you must refer to that time slot) -Where (station/podcast on website) -Why- why do you believe your programme would be best suited to the radio station you have chosen? 4. Identify Personnel - Contributors - Presenter/ narrator - Interviewer 5. Technical requirements -Location kit -Type of mic -Software -Radio studio -Other 6. Projected Production Timescale -Research -Pre-interviews -Interviews -Editing time -Studio Time 7. Ethical Considerations - Legal constraints (contempt and libel) - Copyright material (PPI/ IMRO/MCPS/RAAP) - Privacy issues (release forms) For ease of writing please use the 7 headings above that appear in bold.
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Grading Criteria To achieve a PASS the learner must meet all the assessment criteria identified in the brief.
Assessment Criteria Outcome(s) 1. Demonstrate an understanding of current radio documentary production
2. Develop a script for a radio documentary
Assessment Criteria
Evidence
Identify and discuss the range of radio documentaries
Pitch (give at least 2 valid examples of different formats and styles of radio documentaries)
Identify and discuss the conventions of radio documentary production with reference to current examples
Pitch (give at least 2 valid examples from different radio documentaries)
Identify and discuss restrictions and constraints upon radio documentary production Generate an idea for a radio documentary appropriate to a defined audience
Pitch
Pitch
Grading Criteria To obtain a PASS grade, the learner must meet above outcomes and assessment criteria as indicated.
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BTEC HND MEDIA Evaluation Sheet Prompts 1. Understanding: Did you have a clear understanding of what was required for this assignment? Were there any aspects of the brief that you did not fully understand and if so what did you do about this? 2. Time Management: How effective was your management of this project? Were you able to plan work in advance? Did your plans change as the work progressed? Were there any unforeseen difficulties? Did you meet the deadline comfortably? 3. Research: How useful was your research? Which were the most useful sources? 4. Ideas: How did you ensure that your ideas were interesting enough to develop and appropriate to the brief? 5. Problem solving: How effective is your solution to the brief and why? Briefly describe your working method? How did your work turn out in relation to your expectations? 6. Technology: Comment on the appropriateness of the technology applied in meeting the assignment requirements. Were there any difficulties and if so how were these resolved? 7. Presentation: How appropriate is the presentation of your assignment with regard to organisation, annotation, and professionalism? 8. Review: What, if anything, would you do differently if you were to do this assignment again?
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BTEC HND MEDIA Project Evaluation Sheet Year: 2 Unit 20: Radio Documentary
Student: Brief: The Pitch Reflective Statement
Tutor Comment
Overall Grade Assessor
Internal Verifier
Submission Date
Staff Signature
Student Signature
Grade
5