Department
of TV-Radio-Film-Theatre
GRADUATE SEMINAR
PRODUCING
RADIO-TV-FILM
TA 270
(3 units #19907)
SYLLABUS - Fall 2001
[schedule]
FACULTY
Dr. David Kahn
TV-Radio-Film-Theatre
HGH 110;
924-4540
dkahn@email.sjsu.edu
FAX 924-4543
Office Hours:
T 11:00-3:00
RESOURCES
Strunk & White's Elements of Style
Harvard
Writing Program Writing Guide
Done Deal
Find out what scripts are being bought by the industry
The Hollywood Creative
Directory
Up-to-date, comprehensive info on executives in the film
and television industry
Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers
. . . .more to follow
CLASS MEETING TIME AND LOCATION -- W 3:30-5:45 pm; HGH 114
COURSE TEXTS
REQUIRED:
Bowser, The Transformation of Cinema. ISBN 0520085345
Stark, Glued to the Set. ISBN 0385324111
Selected journal articles, videos, and theatre performancesRECOMMENDED:
Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (5th Ed)
Zinsser, On Writing Well (6th ed.)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course focuses on the historical development and current functioning of the producer's role, with an emphasis on the narrative mass media of television, radio and film. We begin with analysis of ways that production economics shaped the development of production practices in various media arts contexts. The class methodology uses readings, lectures, discussions and presentations to develop an overview of producing, its outward relationship to society, and its inward relationship to the produced work. Through participation in a major practicum assignment, students have an opportunity to actively engage in current production practice, looking particularly at the relationship between scholarship and field work, and developing appropriate research objectives to tie production work to graduate study.
COURSE STRUCTURE/GRADING
- READING ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION (20% of grade)
Students are expected to contribute actively to class discussion of assigned reading and other course material. Attendance is required and absence will lower grade.
- RESPONSE ESSAYS (20% of grade)
Write four (4) essays (500 words) respondingto the assigned class reading according to guidelines presented in class.
- PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL (10% of grade)
Prepare a formal written statement of a practicum/research proposals, including 1) a statement of the practicum assignment and its relationship to a specified question or problem of producing, 2) a suggested research methodology, and 3) a preliminary literature review.
- PRACTICUM ASSIGNMENT (25% of grade)
INTENTIONS
PIZZA WARS
BALL LIGHTNING
SKYLINE/TOM HANKS EVENT
NEW SCRIPT FESTIVAL
KSJS
ALTERNATIVE CINEMA class
ETC.
- RESEARCH PAPER (25% of grade)
The precise format for the research paper depends on the nature of the approved proposal and practicum assignment. In fact, one of the tasks of this assignment is to conduct a detailed literature review and to determine the position of the research relative to the field, to define the intended audience for the research, and to adhere to an appropriate reporting format.
Late Assignments Will Be Penalized One Letter Grade For Each Day Overdue.
| SCHEDULE (8/28/01; subject to revision) | |
| Aug 29 |
Course Introduction - Studying producing |
| Sept 5 |
History of the producer: Theatre to multimedia |
| Sept 11 |
READ Bowser to p. 147 |
| Sept 18 | READ Bowser pp. 149-272 RESPONSE ESSAY #2 |
| Sept 26 | Practicum Discussion |
| Oct 3 | SEE Popcorn Univ. Theatre 7:00 PM October 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 |
| Oct 10 | PRESENTATION of practicum proposals |
| Oct 17 | PRESENTATION of Research Proposals |
| Oct 24 | READ Stark to
p. 196 RESPONSE ESSAY #3 |
| Oct 31 | READ Stark to
pp. 197-407 RESPONSE ESSAY #4 |
| Nov 7 | RELEASE CLASS for production viewing |
| Nov 14 | TBA |
| Nov 21 | THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY |
| Nov 28 | TBA |
| Dec 5 | TBA |
| Dec 12 | • PAPER: due |
| Dec 19 | FINAL meeting |
Students should be aware of University
policies regarding
“Consequences of Academic Dishonesty” and “Sexual Harassment.”