Practical Production of a Television Narrative

1. Training Introduction - An broad outline of the planned training This is a 6-day course conducted over 4 weeks offering participants a full introduction into the making of television narratives. The course is a practical one. All participants will take part in producing 4 minute television narratives. The course introduces participants into every element of the process from concept to production to final delivery. The course is broken down in three stages:
   • Stage 1. Introduction to the basic narrative elements of story telling for television. In this stage participants are introduced to the basic elements and are then required to demonstrate their understanding of the training by creating their own television narratives for production. The importance of detailed scripting in advance of production will be explained. Participants must then generate ideas, write the narratives and scripts, pitch their projects to the other participants and the course leader and generate full production breakdowns assessing all elements required and schedules for filming and editing.
   • Stage 2. Filming and execution of television narratives. In this stage participants must go out and test their learning in Stage 1 in the real world. Participants will take on roles variously of Producer/Editor/Director/Camera and produce five minute television narratives over 2 days. In doing so the production groups must show that they can implement the core basic narrative elements outlined in Stage 1. They will also be supported and trained in filming, sound and over all realization of a script. The importance of interviews, shooting style, sound and picture quality, working with a script and completing within a set amount of time will demonstrated as being essential.
   • Stage 3. Completing the package In this final 2 day stage of the course participants will edit the packages together. Participants will have to write scripts, structure storylines, enhance narratives with music and voice over and learn about the essence of editing interviews and stories. Participants will learn the value of engaging all stakeholders in a project, when to adhere and when to divert from a script, how to work against a deadline and how to take constructive criticism of a rough cut. Completed packages will be assessed to see whether the original objectives were attained.


2. Training Aim:
   The aim of this training programme is to introduce and enhance the existing skills of participants to the essential elements of creating engaging and complete narratives for television.


3. Training Objectives
   On completion of the training programme the participants will be able to:
   • a. Develop a television concept on their own
   • b. Construct and write a television narrative script
   • c. Breakdown a script into a list of production requirements
   • d. Put production requirements into practice
   • e. Understand how to deliver a completed project on time


4. Training Duration
   The training duration is 6 days


5. Training Approach
   This is hands-on, practical course driven and guided by an experienced tutor with 20 years experience in the industry.


6. Tutor Profiles
   The course tutor, Ruán Magan, has worked in the film and television industry for two decades. He has produced, filmed and directed over 100 documentaries many of which have been distributed around the world. He has been nominated on 4 occasions for IFTAs for his work and was awarded on in 2007 as Producer of the series, ‘In Search of the Pope’s Children’. He recently completed ‘Death or Canada’, a major drama-documentary for RTE, The History Channel and History Television (Canada) and today directs television commercials and documentaries for the international market.