MFC5472 - Research Skills for Factual TV

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
demonstrate an understanding of the importance of research in any television production and demonstrate an understanding of the role of the researcher in a production team;
attain the practical skills to research a range of different programme genres and to work to a specific brief;
demonstrate an understanding of the production of a factual television programme;
demonstrate an understanding of the different styles of factual programmes;
develop the ability to critically evaluate the effectiveness and importance of television current affairs;
attain the practical skills required to work in television current affairs.

Content:

The aim of this module is to equip students with one of the most important skills they can acquire in television – knowing how to work effectively as a researcher. Students will learn how to develop in-depth skills to research ideas, story-lines, interviewees, locations and archives for a range of different programme genres, including news, documentary, entertainment, drama, chat shows and magazine programmes.

Students will look at programmes to understand how, why and where the research has taken place. They will also learn to consider the legal and ethical questions that can often arise in researching a topic.

The second half of the module concentrates on the various modes of factual television, with particular focus on ‘current affairs’ mode. It will look at the importance of current affairs coverage both nationally and internationally and provide an opportunity for students to hear from professionals involved in the production of current affairs programmes. It will provide students with the skills and opportunity to research and develop an idea for a current affairs programme and to experience pitching that idea to an industry professional.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught via a series of lectures and interactive workshops and will feature a range of guest speakers.

Lectures and Workshops
Contact hours: 40
Intended group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Assessment:

001 Research & development portfolio 1 x 2,000 words equiv End of Sem 1 50%
002 Programme pitch 2,000 words End of Sem 2 50%


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