Course MAC 409 Drama and Documentary Production ( 3 credits Required)
Course Duration : Two hours per week for 15weeks (30 hours ) as taught in the 2011/2012 session
Lecturer:
La’aro, Oba Abdulkadir
M.Sc. Mass Communication, B.Sc. Mass Communication, ( Lagos),
PGD in Education, (Kaduna)
Department of Mass Communication,
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria . o balaaro@yahoo.com
E-mail: laaro.oa@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Location: First Floor Room 3 Education Technology Building
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Course Content
The production of drama for radio and television; producing documentary for radio and television; focus on blocking; casting; budgeting and performance. Focus on only drama or documentary for both rado and television; or both drama and documentary for only radio or television.
Course Description
The course provides comprehensive hints on the techniques for acquiring skills for the production of drama and documentary on television and radio as a specialized area in broadcasting. It involves the definitions of drama and documentary and identification of similarities and differences of both drama and documentary. The course emphasizes the mastery and applications of the terms and languages of radio and television production particularly their use in scripting and rehearsal stage in drama production process. Also, the course discusses process of generating ideas for documentary; researching the idea and scripting style and structure. The students are adequately sensitized to the social and educational uses of documentary and drama.
Course Justification
Giving the ability of drama and documentary to fulfill educational and social functions of broadcast programming it is imperative to prepare the students with the necessary skills and relevant aptitude to produce these message-types effectively.
Course Objectives
The central objective of the course is to deepen the broadcast production skills which have been cultivated in courses at lower levels of the programme by exposing the students to advanced skills peculiar to producing drama and documentary. Specifically, the student, at the end of the course will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate the required skills for writing script for drama and documentary.
2.
Apply the appropriate broadcast terms in drama and documentary productions.
3.
Differentiate between drama and documentary scripts and be able to ‘mechanise’ them.
4.
Describe the appropriate use of studio space in drama and documentary production.
5.
Explain the concept and processes of drama and documentary production for both radio and television media.

Course Requirements
Class attendance is compulsory particularly practical sessions. The student is expected to read extensively about drama and documentary production generally as well as text on characteristics of radio and television media.
Each student is to belong to a group for the purpose of production practice. Format will be announced in class.
Subscription and participation in an on-line discussion group is compulsory. A 75% class attendance is compulsory and assignment must be submitted in word processing except otherwise indicated.
Methods of Grading
The evaluation criteria, based on the activities of the course, are as distributed below
Grading Criteria
Test/ Assignment
Practical
Participation in rehearsals sessions.
Score (%)
10
20
10
Participation in class and online discussion group
Final examination
TOTAL
10
50
100
Course Delivery Strategies
Face-to-face lectures involving theoretical and practical sessions will be the major method of course delivery.
Students will be assigned into groups and will be expected to present group work in rehearsal sessions. An online discussion group would be available to all students of the course to exchange ideas.
Lecture Content
Week 1: Introduction to Drama and Documentary.
Objective:
At the end of the course this week, students will be able to define drama and documentary as well as identify the essential difference between drama and documentary..
Description
First Hour
Discussion of definitions.
Second Hour
Evolution of drama on radio and television.
Study Questions:
1.Compare two definitions of drama generally.
2. What are the essential features of radio drama?
3. When did radio drama start in Nigeria?
4. What are the differences of drama and documentary?
5. Is drama possible in documentary?
Reading List.
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing for the broadcast, Boston: USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass media messages in a mutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
2

3.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 243,244, 264 245 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Week 2: History of Radio and TV Drama
Objectives:
The main objective of the lecture this week is to trace the evolvement of drama on radio in the world and on
Nigerian broadcast stations.
Description
First Hour
History of radio and TV drama in the world and in Nigeria.
Second hour
Focus on notable drama producers in Nigerian broadcasting.
Study Questions
1.
Compile a list of pioneer drama producers on radio and TV in Nigeria.
2.
When did drama start on Nigerian TV?
3.
When did drama start on Nigerian radio?
4.
In outline form, list the contributions of private stations to drama Production.
5.
Highlight the important landmarks in the evolution of drama on Nigerian stations.
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics; New York,
Civiletis International.
3.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
4.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Week 3: Drama in the Context of Radio.
Objectives:
The main objective of this week lecture is to explain the peculiarities of producing drama on radio for mass communication purposes.
Description
First Hour
Characteristics of radio :-( Sound only, blind, transitory, companionship etc)
Second Hour
Use of elements and techniques of drama on radio.( SSSSM )Sound, speech, sound effects, silence and music)
Study Questions.
1.
Which of the elements of production will you use to depict periods of the day and why?
2.
Define sound and speech giving example.
3.
List all possible uses of silence in radio production and prepare to defend your position.
4.
Define and list uses of music in radio production.
5.
What is meant by signified and signification?
3

Reading List
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing for thebBroadcast, Boston: USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN 0-205-
083545-9
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics; New York,
Civiletis International.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass media messages in a nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
482-492 ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford, pp 243--262, 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Weeks 4. Drama in the Context of Television.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this week lecture is to explain to students the peculiarities of producing drama on
Television.
Description
First Hour
Characteristics of television medium (fidelity,captivity,etc).
Second Hour
Use of elements and techniques of drama on television (SSSSM as for radio plus picture,colour,motion,Graphics,set&design and lighting.
.
Study Questions:
1.
Which of the elements of production will you use to depict periods of the day and why?
2.
Define picture and motion on TV giving examples.
3.
List all possible uses of silence in television production and prepare to defend your position.
4.
Define and list uses of music in radio production.
5.
What are the uses of graphics and set design in TV drama production?
Reading List
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass media messages in a nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
58-83,523-576 ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Week 5. Use of Drama in Radio Production.
Objectives:
The main objective of this week lecture is to highlight areas of using drama for varieties of broadcast objectives.
Description
First Hour
Drama as programmes schedule; as commercials and as programme elements in magazine, documentary etc
Second Hour.
Continuation of the first hour lecture.
4

Study Questions:
1.
Define which broadcast messages count as programmes.
2.
What are commercial messages on radio and television?
3.
What is the difference between programme and commercials/
4.
Highlight the use of drama in a programme and commercial on a station you are familiar with.
5.
What are the reasons you will consider in using drama in a documentary and/or commercials?
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing for the broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass media messages in a nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
3.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
4.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford, pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Week 6: Use of Literary devices in drama on radio and television.
Objectives:
The objective of this week lecture is to identify and sensitize students to use of figures of speech in drama production.
Description
First Hour
Figures of resemblance; figures of contrast, figures of association.
Second Hour
Examples of usages of figure of speech through scripting.
Study Questions:
1.
Why do you think figures of speech should be used in drama?
2.
What step will you take for effective use of figures speech in radio drama?
3.
What are the challenges of using figures of speech in drama for mass communication?
4.
Write a one page drama script to demonstrate the use of figures of speech.
5.
Define the three types of figure of speech discussed.
Reading List?
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp283--293 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics; New York,
Civiletis International.
3.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
4.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
5.
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, (1979), SCRIPT MODELS A Handbook For The Media Writer
5

6.
New York,Communication Arts Books, Hasting House,pp ISBN 0-8038-6755-7,0-88386754-9pbk
7.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Week 7: Administrative matters: crewing, casting and funding.
Objectives:
The main objective is to identify and explain crewing/ casting personnel for drama on radio and television; and also identify sources of funding drama programmes..
Description
First Hour
Crew and Cast for radio and television. Identifying the difference
Second Hour
Sources of funding: proprietor,sponsorship,commercials etc.
Study Questions:
1.
List the entire possible crew member for drama only.
2.
List the entire possible crew member for documentary only.
3.
State the function of continuity persons in both drama and documentary
4.
Do you agree that narrator is crucial to success of documentary?
5.
Who among the crew members is in charge of casting the personnel in drama?
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--174 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34—40
ISBN
3.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp477-482 ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
4.
Robert McLeish (2005 ), Radio Production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Section Two
Weeks 8: Documentary in Perspectives.
Objective:
Students will be introduced to the evolution and conception of documentary
Description
First Hour.
Definition and types of documentary.
Second Hour.
Documentary and similar concept: features,docu-drama etc.
6

Study Questions:
1.
Identify types of documentary.
2.
Is feature and documentary the same thing?
3.
What is meant by docu-drama?
4.
Name and explain two sources of documentary idea.
5.
Make an outline script for feature on maternal death.
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics; New York,
Civiletis International.
3.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
4.
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, (1979), Script Models A Handbook For The Media Writer
5.
New York,Communication Arts Books, Hasting House,pp ISBN 0-8038-6755-7,0-88386754-9pbk
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
6.
ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
7.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-274 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Weeks 9: Process of Documentary
Objective:
The aim of this week lecture is to identify and explain the basic step in developing documentary idea.
Description
First Hour.
Sources of documentary idea/issue.
Second Hour.
Steps in documentary production.
Study Questions:
1.
List the basic steps in developing a documentary production?
2.
Identify and discuss four sources of documentary ideas.
3.
Identify and discuss four functions of documentary?
4.
Find out why documentary is not common on Nigerian stations.
5.
At what stage will you consider documentary relevant in dealing with current affairs issue?
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp283--299 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
3.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp477-482 ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
7

Weeks 10: Documentary scripting process.
Objectives:
The aim is to let student know the approach to scripting the documentary and how it is different to other production.
Description
First Hour
Types and usage of documentary scripts.
Second Hour
Writing narration and mechanizing it.
Study questions.
1.
What kind of script types is required for field/location recording in documentary?
2.
What are the essential difference of a drama and documentary scripts?
3.
Explain the value of ‘mechanized’ scripts for narration in documentary?
4.
How does the script help time management in documentary production?
5.
Why should the director be keenly interested in the scripting process?
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163--164 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
3.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
4.
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production , fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 254-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Weeks 11: Post field--the editing phase.
Objectives:-
The objective is to sensitize and instill in the students the importance of editing phase which is crucial to success of the documentary .
Description
First Hour
Technical matters--visuals, audio, narration style etc
Second Hour.
Cast and Crew of a documentary.
Study questions.
1.
Highlight and explain the importance of the editing phase in the documentary production process>
2.
What are ht advantage of digital editing ?
3.
Compare and contrast the challenges of editing two cameras and one camera recordings.
4.
How does the editing contribute to the realization of script plan?
5.
List all the crew and cast necessary for documentary production.
8

Reading List
1.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34—40
ISBN
2.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp302-327,557-576 ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Week 12: Drama Production session
Objectives:
The objective of this week is to guide students to apply the skills taught in the previous weeks for drama production.
Description
First Hour
Write a script of 15 minutes for either radio or TV that addresses a specific social issue or as may be directed by the lecturer.
Second Hour
A critique of the script will be conducted in class under the guidance of the lecturer and/or invited resource person.
Weeks 13 Production: Drama
Objectives:
To be able to produce drama that is acceptable to Mass Communication medium.
Description
First Hour
Drama production based on the script in week 13
Second Hour
Drama production based on the script in week 13(Production Location or Studio.)
Study Question/assignment
1.
List 5 important challenge you face in carrying out the production and what you did to overcome them.
2.
Compare the challenges of scripting for radio with the scripting for televisionst the literary devices you used in the production.
3.
Compare your role in the production with another member and prepare to discuss it in class.
Weeks 14 Production: Documentary
Objectives: The aim is to ascertain the ability of students to identify subject or issue for documentary production.
Description
First Hour
Documentary production based on a topic assigned by the lecturer
Second Hour
Documentary production based on a topic assigned by the lecturer
Study Question/assignment
1.
What are the peculiar challenges of documentary production you encountered?
Identify and research on an issue or subject for documentary and write a script outline for field work
Week 15: Revision of productions.
Objectives:
The aim is to appraise drama and documentary production carried out by the students.
Description
9

First Hour
Evaluation of drama Production
Second Hour
Evaluation of documentary production
Revision Questions.
1.
Compare two definitions of drama generally.
2.
Compile a list of pioneer drama producers on radio and TV in Nigeria.
3.
Define and list uses of music in radio production.
4 Which of the elements of production will you use to depict periods of the day and why?
5 What is the difference between programme and commercials?
6 What are the challenges of using figure of speech in drama for mass communication?
7 State the function of continuity persons in both drama and documentary.
8 Is feature and documentary the same thing?
8 What is meant by docu-drama?
9 What are the essential difference of a drama and documentary scripts?
10 What are the advantage of digital editing ?
11 How does editing contribute to the realization of script plan?
Reading List
1.
Mayeux, P.E.
3
(1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp283--293 ISBN
0-205-083545-9
2.
Uyo, Adidi 3 (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics; New York,
Civiletis International.
3.
Uyo, Adidi
3
(1989), Mass Media Messages in a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis International.pp34--40
ISBN
4.
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R
3
. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill Book Company pp
ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
5.
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert,
3
(1979), Script Models A Handbook For The Media Writer
6.
Robert McLeish
3
(2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House Jordan-Hill
pp 264-274 ISBN 0-260-51972-8 Oxford,
Legend
1.
Available in University Library
2.
Available in Local Bookshop
3.
Personal collections
4.
Available Departmental libraries
10