RTV 450 / 460
Senior Broadcast Newsroom
Autumn 2009
Scope: This is an advanced broadcast class, with strong emphasis on producing, writing, directing, photography and
production.
You will be responsible for MontanaPBS Newsbrief, two 30-second news updates that air evenings on
MontanaPBS across the state. You will each have an opportunity to work as director/TD/graphics or
anchor/producer/reporter.
You will also produce a weekly edition of UM News, a weekly update of what’s happening on campus. You’ll
spend each week reporting, shooting, writing, editing for this show. The programs will air on television stations
across Montana and on the internet.
Class Time: The class officially meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:10-11:00 in DAH 210. But you
will find out we will be meeting in a variety of locations including DAH 101 and 109. You will also meet during
lab hours 3:30-5:00 as assignments dictate.
There are class periods when we will all meet together. Please check the attached class schedule.
Instructors:
Ray Ekness, associate professor, Journalism/Radio-Television.
DAH 425
Phone: 243-4088 Home: 542-0251
E-mail: ray.ekness@umontana.edu
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 8-10am (or by appointment)
Ray Fanning, assistant professor, Journalism/Radio-Television
DAH 409
Phone: 243-4747
E-mail: ray.fanning@umontana.edu
Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-10:30am (or by appointment)
Attendance: Mandatory. You must notify one of us in advance if you expect to miss a class. The only acceptable
excuses are University business or severe illness. We reserve the right to require students with unexcused absences
to drop the course.
Successful RTV 450/460 students will:

Research and report interesting, character-driven stories appropriate for the UM News audience

Meet professional standards for producing, anchoring and directing PBS Newsbrief and UM News.

Successfully perform production crew assignments

Demonstrate good news judgment in reporting stories and producing shows

Write clear, concise and accurate scripts.

Demonstrate strong and creative storytelling skills

Demonstrate an ability to re-purpose UM News stories for the web and add additional content

Master various script formats including reader, voice-over, voice- to- sound-on-tape, and reporter package

Demonstrate an ability to use newsroom software programs, and to shoot and edit video tape.

Work well with others and meet all deadlines
Greening UM Beat
This semester we will incorporate a “green” beat into our coverage of the university, called “Greening UM”. As part
of your reporting assignments, you will produce at least one television news story focusing on ways the university is
working toward sustainability. These stories will air in our regular “UM News” broadcasts on KECI and KPAX. We
will collect the QuickTime versions of these stories and compile them on a DVD at the end of the semester.
Grades: Grades will be based on your ability to meet deadlines, teamwork, story ideas, class participation, writing,
shooting, editing, producing and research. You will be given a grade each week for MontanaPBS Newsbrief and
UM News work:
 Weekly Grade for UM News/Newsbrief-90% of grade
 Attitude/Class Participation-10% of final grade
100-93%
A-
92-90%
B+
89-88%
B
87-83%
B-
82-80%
C+
79-78%
C
77-73%
C-
72-70%
D+
69-68%
D
67-63%
F
Below 63%
Same Work for Multiple Classes in J-School
You may not submit for this course any assignment that has previously or will be concurrently submitted for another
class unless you receive prior approval from the professor for this course. To do so without permission will result in
an “F” for the assignment and could result in an “F” for the course.
Academic Honesty
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course
instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student
Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
This course is accessible to and usable by otherwise qualified students with disabilities. To request reasonable
program modifications, please consult with the instructor. Disability Services for Students will assist the instructor
and student in the accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website at
www.umt.edu/dss/.
RTV 450 / 460
Senior Broadcast Newsroom
Autumn 2009
MontanaPBS Newsbrief
(Monday - Friday 3:30-5)
These 2 x 0:30 nightly news updates air over KUFM in Missoula and KUSM in Bozeman and are seen across the
state. The updates will normally air approximately 7:55pm and 10:25pm (depending on programming.) Four
students will be assigned to produce Newsbrief each week. Students are responsible for all aspects of production.
The daily deadlines are as follows:
12:00-Producer has preliminary story ideas into rundown
3:30-Producer has copy approved
3:30-Producer gives director graphics list/CG list/tape to director
3:30-Final rundown, scripts and graphics approved
3:30-Producer gives final rundown and scripts to crew members
4:00-Taping begins
4:30-Taped update fed to KUSM
Crew Responsibilities
Two editorial and two production students will be assigned the following crew positions:
 Producer/Reporter/Anchor
 Director/TD/CG
 Prompter/Camera
 Audio/VTR
RTV 450 / 460
Senior Broadcast Newsroom
Autumn 2009
UM News
(Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-11)
Each week, the class will produce two television news segments focusing on campus news. The 3:30 program will
air during the morning newscasts in Montana. Additionally, all packages will be turned and posted onto YouTube
and a blog site for the web. UM News will concentrate on news about The University of Montana including campus
issues & security, ongoing research, faculty and student news & concerns, performing arts and special events. The
audience is not students; it’s western Montanans. We’ll be taping segments on Monday and Wednesday during
class time. On Fridays, we will review and critique the newscasts and packages. You will also meet during daily
lab time to pitch story ideas, get scripts and first edits reviewed, etc. A good portion of your grade will depend on
your ability to research and pitch solid story ideas that become good news pieces.
RTV 450 / 460
Autumn 2009
UM News
Team Maroon
Mondays at 10am – Tape program and Initial Story Meeting
Mondays at 3:30pm – Story Updates
Tuesday morning – Program airs and segments posted on web
Thursday afternoon – First Scripts Due
Friday at 10am – Program Review and Critique
Friday afternoon – First Edits Due
Airdate
Producer
Monday, September 7
No Program
Monday, September 14
Brooks
Monday, September 21
Heser
Monday, September 28
Stepanek
Monday, October 5
Hoerner
Monday, October 12
Wiest
Monday, October 19
Chaloupek
Monday, October 20th
Shuler
Monday, October 27th
Weller
Monday, November 3rd
Neumann
Monday, November 11th
Roy
Monday, November 17th
Hoerner
Monday, November 24th
No Program
Monday, December 1st
Scheel
Team Silver
Wednesdays at 10am – Tape program and Initial Story Meeting
Wednesdays at 3:30pm – Story Updates
Thursday morning – Program airs and segments posted on web
Fridays at 10am – Program Review and Critique
Monday afternoon – First Scripts Due
Tuesday afternoon – First Edits Due
Airdate
Producer
Wednesday, September 3rd
No Program
Wednesday, September 10th
Al-Abdullah
th
Wednesday, September 17
Alvestad
Wednesday, September 24th
Baker
Wednesday, October 1st
Boyce
Wednesday, October 8th
Gray
Wednesday, October 15th
Hanson
Director
No Program
Ebert
M Wilson
Houchin
Massenova
Youngbauer
Ryan
Brown
Berry
Scholey
Hanson
Bury
No Program
Berry
Director
No Program
Treece
Pederson
Norton
McDonald
Mallory
Curry
Wednesday, October 22nd
Wednesday, October 29th
Wednesday, November 5th
Wednesday, November 12th
Wednesday, November 19th
Wednesday, November 26th
Wednesday, December 3rd
McDonald
McCormack
Widdekind
Al-Abdullah
Gray
No Program
Hanson
Bierwag
Norton
Treece
Curry
Bierwag
No Program
Pederson
Directors and Producers: You are primarily responsible for the productions and meetings. We expect you to
communicate, cooperate and create a memorable show. Stick to your deadlines. Be flexible. Work together on all
aspects of the program.
Job Descriptions:




Producer-Runs story meeting, reviews stories throughout the week, builds rundown, works closely with
director on graphics, delivers program to the television station
Director-Runs story meeting, reviews stories throughout the week, creates graphics, direct.
Reporter-Researches story ideas BEFORE CLASS and pitch. Shoots, logs, writes, edits.
Photographer-Researches story ideas BEFORE CLASS and pitch. Shoots, logs, writes, edits.
Everyone will also work as part of the production crew on taping days.
Anchors
10:00am or earlier- in newsroom
 familiarize yourself with stories and pronunciations
 clarify any questions with producer
10:05 am- on set with mics and IFBs
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Assistant Director/Assistant Producer
10:00am or earlier- in newsroom
 Check with producer and director to see if they need any help
10:05am- in control room ready to time the show
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Audio
10:00am or earlier- in control room
10:05am- ready for mic checks
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Camera
10:00am or earlier- in studio
10:05am- at your camera with headset on, ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
CG
10:00am or earlier- in control room- graphics loaded
10:05am- ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Director
9:00 am- Pick up copies of the rundown from producer
9:05 am- Check on video in Thunder and load sequence
9:15 am- Pick up scripts from producer and mark scripts
Troubleshoot any problems
9:30 am- Review graphics with producer on Dekko
10:05 am- Make sure crew is in place and ready to rehearse
10:10 am- Rehearse and tape show
Floor Manager
10:00am or earlier- in studio
10:05am- headset on, ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Producer
8:30 am- Have rundown and scripts ready for Ray to review
9:00 am- Print six copies of the rundown for the director
9:15 am- Print one copy of scripts for director
9:30 am- Load graphics into Dekko and review them in control room with director
9:40 am- Print two copies of scripts for anchors
Load prompter
10:05 am- Make sure anchors are on set and miced
Be in the control room- Check IFBs
10:10 am- Rehearse and tape show
10:30 am- Archive show and load template for next week
TD
10:00am or earlier- in control room- go over show with director
10:05am- ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Thunder
10:00am or earlier- in control room- check Thunder sequence
10:05am- ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
VTR
10:00am or earlier- in server room- get instructions on recording the show
10:05am- ready for rehearsal
10:10am- Rehearsal and taping begin
Next Week Producer and Director
10:10am or earlier- in newsroom- going over story ideas in iNews
10:25am- print story ideas
10:30 am- Begin story meeting
During the semester, you will occasionally rotate out of UM News and into MontanaPBS Newsbrief.