1. VIDEO PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
THEORY AND PRACTICE
FROM CONCEPT TO SCREEN

2. UNIT 1: THE BASICS CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Video Production
CHAPTER 2: The Language of Motion Pictures
CHAPTER 3: Cameras
CHAPTER 4: Editing

3. CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO
VIDEO PRODUCTION

4. OBJECTIVES Introduce the Three Stages of Video Production:
Preproduction, Production and Postproduction;
Explore techniques for Developing Ideas and Program Concepts;
Organize Strategically for writing effective Stories and Treatments;
Understand the Dramatic Structure;
Survey the Creative Process of writing Stories and Scripts.

5. THE THREE STAGES OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
Preproduction
Production
Postproduction

6. THE IDEA Personal Experience Monitor the News Adaptation
Composite Characters
Copyrighted Material
The Public Domain

7. THE CONCEPT Often called the “log line” For Example:
Shakespeare struggles to overcome his writer’s block by seeking a muse and he discovers true love.
The result: Shakespeare in Love

8. THE EARLY STAGES OF WRITING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT The Outline

9. THE EARLY STAGES OF WRITING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT The Outline

10. THE EARLY STAGES OF WRITING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT The Scene Outline

11. THE EARLY STAGES OF WRITING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT The Scene Outline

12. THE EARLY STAGES OF WRITING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT
Notebooks Bulletin Boards

13. THE TREATMENT

14. THE TREATMENT

15. THE TREATMENT Produced for Circulation Sales Tool
Narrative version of your program that reads like a Short Story

16. THE TREATMENT Use Visual and Descriptive Language
Get the reader Hooked and keep the reader Engaged
Written in the Present tense
Single-Space format
Place Line Breaks to denote
Changes in Time and Location

17. THE DRAMATIC STRUCTURE
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Complications
(Rising and Falling Action)
Crisis
Climax
Resolution

18. CHARACTERS
Protagonist
Antagonist
Ensemble Cast
Supporting Character

19. THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF WRITING
Write your Ideas down
How do they look after a few days?
Share your work with
Friends and Seasoned Writers
Activate the imagination in
Indirect Ways
Music is a powerful tool

20. EXERCISES
1. Look at today’s newspaper and write Three Concepts for Stories based on news articles you see.
2. Write a 2-3 page Treatment inspired by your own life’s experience. How will you get the reader Engaged? Who are the Antagonists, and what Complications do You face? How does the story End?
3. Choose one of your favorite films of all time. Identify the Protagonist(s) and Antagonist(s). What is the Inciting Incident? What is the Dramatic Question? What are some of the Complications? Is the protagonist Successful in his or her journey? What is the Climax of the story?
Copyright 2008 Taylor and Francis