Model of TV Production Development

163

Basic Production

 263

Advanced Production

 398.01

On-Campus Internship

Orientation

The Orientation Stage is the initial encounter with material from a particular class. There are four types of orientation: orientation to a new class, crew position, crew, or equipment. Conversation in the Orientation Stage is dominated by task talk as basic skills are acquired.

 Orientation Stage for 163 students is a very different experience. Most of the students at this level are seeing television from behind the camera for the first time. Nervous talk about "messing up" and questions about the requirements are the focus of most 163 students in this stage.  Orientation Stage for 263 students is comprised of vital social and task talk. These students form as a group for the first time. The relationships formed with social talk in the Orientation Stage for 263 students are long-standing. Questions about requirements and expectations are prevalent.  The Orientation Stage for on-campus interns is very brief. They know the system and the expectations on them. The only orientation they need is with the incoming students. They start to take the mentor role by becoming "orienters" for the newer students. The role of the instructor becomes more important as qualified student mentors become scarce.
 

Development

In the Development Stage experiences broaden to include all basic skills in the level. Social talk is more common between members of different class levels, so much so that it causes a shift in the demands on the teacher. This is the primary learning stage.

The Development Stage for 163 students carries them through camera operation, floor direction, and prompter operation. Proficiency at the skills in this stage has a direct correlation with their communication with 263 students. It is usually at this stage that the student will decide whether or not he/she will stick with it. Similar to the 163 Development Stage, the 263 Development Stage holds a strong correlation between skill proficiency and communication with the higher level students. In the Development Stage 263 students will learn the positions of master control, graphics, and audio. It is during the 263 Development Stage that long term group cohesion is established. The 398.01 Development Stage requires students to reach their highest level of group saturation. This stage will facilitate the learning of technical direction and direction skills. Going hand-in-hand with these new skills are the leadership and communication skills that are necessary for directors and technical directors. Many students at this stage assist in the production labs.

 

Graduation

In the Graduation Stage skills are perfected and contingency plans are made for continuing on to the next stage. By this stage social/task groups have been formed based on daily availability. "Wednesday's crew" may have more solidarity than the group of 12-14 students in 263.

Only the students who are going to stick with it make it to the Graduation Stage. In this stage students begin to form associations with members from all levels. Mentor(s) are identified and sought out for advice and assistance with future plans. Instructor communication is at its lowest level during the Graduation Stage and peer communication is at its highest level. The Graduation Stage for 263 students is a turning point for the students. Going on from this stage implies a serious commitment to the station and to learning the information. The talk, both social and task takes on a social tone. "Wednesday's crew" may be working out ways to continue working together in future semesters. The Graduation Stage for the 398.01 Students typically includes an off-campus internship followed by graduation (from ISU). Students at this stage have significant reliance on the teacher for advice, interning opportunities and job opportunities. The student's extended small group, "TV Tenners", will reach its largest size just prior to graduation. Those who are hired locally will always work with some fellow "TV Tenners".

Information in this model travels from more advanced students to less advanced.