Scope: This is an advanced video class, with strong emphasis on producing, writing, directing, video photography, post-production editing, storytelling and production.
You will 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 and directing for this show. The programs will air on television stations across Montana and on the internet.
Class Time: TBD
There are class periods when we will meet with RTV 460.
Instructor: 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 8-9:30am (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 students will:

Research, report, photograph and edit interesting, character-driven stories appropriate for the UM News audience

Successfully perform production crew assignments

Demonstrate good news judgment in reporting stories and producing shows

Demonstrate strong and creative storytelling skills

Demonstrate an ability to re-purpose UM News stories for the web and add additional content

Demonstrate an ability to use newsroom software programs and to shoot and edit video.

Demonstrate an understanding of truth, accuracy and fairness

Think critically and creatively

Research and evaluate information

Use appropriate tools and technology

Work well with others and meet all deadlines
Grades: Grades will be based on your ability to meet deadlines, teamwork, story ideas, class participation, writing, shooting, editing, producing and research. You will produce a news package and/or direct a news program each week of the semester. You will be given a grade and a written critique each week for your UM News work:

Weekly Grade for UM News -90% of grade

Attitude/Class Participation-10% of final grade
A 100-93%
C-
D+
D
F
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
92-90%
89-88%
87-83%
82-80%
79-78%
77-73%
72-70%
69-68%
67-63%
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/ .
Week by Week Schedule
Week 1-Prep for Broadcasts
Week 2-Weekly Production Begins
Week 3-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 4-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 5-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 6-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 7-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 8-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 9-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 10-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 11-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 12-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 13-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 14-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Week 15-Weekly Production Continues/Review
Finals Week-Review Semester Production

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.
Job Descriptions:

Director -Runs story meeting, reviews stories throughout the week, creates graphics, direct.

One-Person Band -Researches story ideas BEFORE CLASS and pitch. Shoots, logs, writes, edits.

Photographer -Researches story ideas BEFORE CLASS and pitch.
Shoots, logs, writes, edits.
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 Deko
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 and 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