This document discusses production planning for chapters 4 and 5 of a broadcast production course. It provides instructions for students to choose a TV pitch from previous assignments to develop potential plotlines and production plans. Students are asked to post a plotline for a 45-minute episode on the discussion board. The document then outlines setting timelines and allocating tasks, listing the key roles needed such as producer, director, scriptwriter, camera operator, sound, editing, and costumes/makeup/props. Students are each taking on the role of producer for planning shoots and coordinating the production team.

1. PLOT-LINES &
CHAPTERS 4 & 5:
PRODUCTION
PLANNING
C O M M 1 1 9 : B R O A D C A S T P R O D U C T I O N

2. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• Moving forward you may choose from any of
the submitted TV PITCH submissions (not
just your own). You will use your chosen idea
as a basis for future assignments and
discussions. Revisit the PITCHING YOUR TV
SHOW IDEA Discussion Board for all the
submitted pitches.
• Thanks to all you who submitted ideas –
every single one of them was intriguing and
full of promise so why not keep working on
them for yourselves after this semester is

3. DISCUSSION: TV SERIES PLOTLINES
• Your assignment is to post at least one short idea for a potential plotline
for a class TV Project which is open to comments and feedback from the
class. You may use any of the series pitches submitted this semester as
your source.
• Your submitted potential plotline should be limited to one 45-minute
episode so it's self-contained and does not directly continue next episode
(no cliff-hangers, please) It should include these major elements and
doesn't need to be overly in-depth:
• - WHICH PITCH ARE YOU WORKING ON?
• - WHO IS MAINLY INVOLVED IN THIS PLOTLINE? (plotlines rarely involve
every character on a show and, often times, a new character is used in the
episode for plot purposes but is not a major/recurring character)
• - WHAT EVENT KICKS OFF THIS PLOTLINE?
• - HOW DOES THE PLOTLINE END/RESOLVE?
• GO TO THE TV SERIES PLOTLINES DISCUSSION BOARD FOR FULL DETAILS

4. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• So now we have a production to work towards – that was
Step #1 in our PRODUCTION TASKLIST (Chapters 1, 2, & 3)
generally titled “IDEAS” which includes:
– COMING UP WITH IDEAS
– DISCUSSING IN YOUR GROUP HOW THEY MIGHT
WORK
– THINKING ABOUT THE STYLE OF THE PRODUCTION
• Now we move onto PRODUCTION PLANNING (Chapters 4
& 5) which includes:
– PLANNING WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO AND HOW
YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT
– PLANNING WHO IS GOING TO DO WHAT ON THE
PROJECT

5. PRODUCTION PLANNING
• As your book details, you should think of a
production plan like a map – it’s there to help
keep you on track and get back on track when/if
you wander off the path. SOLID PLANNING IS
ESSENTIAL TO A GOOD PRODUCTION!
• We are going to deal with planning the shooting
of just the PILOT for your TV series and not the
entire series
• TV PILOT =A television pilot (also known as a
pilot or a pilot episode) is a standalone episode
of a television series that is used to sell the show

6. PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE
• The first step to a solid production plan is a TIMELINE
– A Timeline is a way of estimating how long things are going
to take
– Our Timeline is going to be theoretical but should be taken
seriously nonetheless
– Here is our Timeline so far:
Tasks What’s involved Start Finish
Ideas This can include:
 Coming up with the ideas for your TV show
 Discussing in your group how the TV show might work
 Thinking about the style of the TV show
6/23 1/29
Production planning This includes
 Planning what you are going to do and how you are going to do it
 Planning who is going to do what on the project
6/31 2/5

7. • Here’s a great example of
how to approach a
timeline using an
IF/THEN structure (p. 22).
By starting at the end
result and working
backwards, you can
figure how when you
need to start. Of course
you need to have
existing knowledge of
how long things typically
take and the scope of
your particular project to
make this work the best
for you, but it’s a good
When do we have to deliver the project? (DELIVERY DATE)
If we want to submit the final project by We need to finish the fine cut/mix by
If we want to finish our fine cut/mix by We need the viewing by
If we want to have a viewing by We need to have our rough cut by
If we want to finish rough cut/rough mix We need to start our edit by
If we want to start our edit We need to finish shooting by
If we want to finish shooting/recording
by
We need to start filming by
If we want to start shooting/recording by We need to have our script/outline by
If we want to have our script by We need to finish our research by
If we want to finish our research by We need to start our research by
If we want to start our research by We need to have chosen an idea by
PRODUCTION PLANNING/TIMELINE

8. PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS
• As a TV Project Pilot Producer, many upcoming necessary tasks will need to
be allocated and staffed – here is a condensed list of what is needed:
Production Setting up the shoots, organizing all the cast, technicians, and locations. Dealing with money and
permissions. Looking after the production plan and the timing. Making sure everyone knows what they are
supposed to be doing and when they are supposed to do it.
FOR OUR PURPOSES, EACH STUDENT IS A/THE PRODUCER
Directing On the shoot itself it will involve directing the camera or actors and deciding what shots or sound to get.
The director should be responsible for the storyboard, if it’s used.
Scriptwriting The principal scriptwriter(s) for the program
Camera work Operating the camera, finding the best shots, looking after any lighting, taking care of the equipment,
checking the rushes, labelling the tapes correctly.
Sound recording Recording sound, looking after the sound equipment to make sure it’s working properly, making sure all
sound is properly checked on the recording day.
Editing Cutting the film in the editing suite.
Costume/Makeup/Props
(related but not the same – 3
different positions!)
Finding all the costumes needed for the shoot. Making sure everything is in the right place at the right time
and clean and tidy. Makeup artists will apply any makeup needed. They are responsible for bringing the
right makeup to the shoot. Sourcing any props needed for the shoot. Getting them to the shoot and having
them ready at the right place at the right time.

9. PRODUCTION PLANNING/ALLOCATING TASKS
•PLEASE COMPLETE THE
PLOTLINES DISCUSSION
BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE
NEXT AREA IN THE FOLDER