Program Brief –The Ivory Tower
The show in which experts ask and answer pressing questions on topics that the media has failed to explain.
Format:A 30 minute program with studio-based intros and outros and three out-of-the studio segments.
Opening titles: thematically based on the ATC building (The Tower) Kinetic typography?
Set design:Reverse of the exterior of The Tower with round windows etc to create the sense of being inside a tower,but one with views of the world. Mood lighting,sense of enclosed but not cramp space.
Studio:A studio-based host introduces the program,welcomes the audience to The Tower. He/she explains that show’s theme and introduces each of the three segments. The host also back announces the program.
Segments: Each segment is approximately 5,30” in duration and is filmed out-of-the-studio. Each segment is based on an expert setting a challenging question and then answering it with compelling story telling. The talent talks to the barrel of the camera and moves around an interesting location or locations to assist the story telling. (Think Professor Brian Cox). The segments use some cutaways and other editing devices but are not overly processed. The story telling should be the main form of communication.
Talent:Experts –either academics or industry professionals or amateurs –anyone with something useful to say and the capacity to tell a compelling story. The selection of the experts should be based on two criteria,each equally important.
1) They have something useful to say that adds to the program’s general topic because it is fresh thinking and tackles a largely unanswered question.
2) Has the ability to communicate it in an engaging manner and wants to participate in the collaborative process to ensure the segment is produced well and on deadline.
Personnel
Students:The students will work in program production teams. The designated tasks for each team include:
3 x Segment production units (three students per segment unit). The segment producers liaise with their featured expert to collaboratively produce the segment. They develop a script and shooting schedule. They discuss relevant locations,then shoot the segment – in consultation with the people from the producer pool and the web production team –- overseen by Associate Producers and Technical Producers.
4 x people for the Production Pool. Tasks include:2 x Associate Producers and 2 x Technical Producers. Other tasks include a floor manager and a camera operator for the studio shoot.
6 x people for the Editing Pool. As well as editing the material delivered by the segment production teams,the editors should also provide content for the web production team and assist in the development of titles,themes,continuity,credits and themes producer.
Web production team –to produce program website. 4 producers per program,reporting to the Associate producers and the technical producers
Staff:
1 x Supervising Producer (Lisa) to oversee the process on a weekly basis.
1 x Production Manager (Jonathan) to oversee the studio based elements and to consult on editing issues.
1 x Executive Producer (Andrew) To set overall editorial direction and to liaise on scripts and studio hosts and to consult with the supervising producer and production manager to ensure the project is on deadline and within the brief.
Pilot program:
Program theme:Climate Change
Segments should be determined by the production group in consultation with the producers. But could include topics such as:
1) What is Carbon trading?
Talent:Richard Lester,Centre for Sustainability
2) What is forestry sequestration?
Talent:Ben Keogh
3) Is there a better way of handling the politics of climate change?
Talent:ISR or politics department
