type of production

Treatment

Determining which TV format will be used for your production is called deciding on the treatment. You must decide which treatment will be used in order to plan how to do the research for the final production. Most treatments fall into one of the following four categories.

• Dramatic — Requires memorizing lines, acting and creating sets and visuals. Most students like to do this type of production. They can become the characters of a play, historic people in a reenactment or inanimate objects in a fantasy story. Sets are easily constructed, or the production can be created “on location.”

• Newscast — Usually has an anchor and a set and visuals, and may require students to record “remotes” off school property. For a true newscast the students should be required to go out and get the news. This can consist of conducting interviews with schoolmates or people from the community. Video or photographs can be shot and explanations can be given on any subject that is too current or too local to be found in library books. Research is important and can lead them to a better understanding of how their community fits into the world.

• Documentary — Consists of a host introducing interviews, photos, other visuals and “remotes.” Students like to produce documentaries by acting as historical figures taking part in historical events. They also can document citizens or relatives who were alive during world wars, saw the first moon walk or helped with community projects, for example.

• Demonstration — Shows a person or group demonstrating how to do an activity. It requires actions synchronized to words, step-by-step directions, visuals and camera close-ups of what is being demonstrated. Kids love to make things. Use this interest to get them excited about doing a video project. The best way to learn to do something is to teach it.