Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Entertainment Production
Other languages of instruction: Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
Entertainment is growing fast on TV and beyond. From quiz games to reality shows, a wide variety of entertainment formats captures the attention of millions of viewers around the globe. However, with the emergence of social media and streaming platforms, audiovisual entertainment content is no longer the sole realm of traditional TV.
This new landscape poses new challenges and exciting possibilities, creating a multiscreen approach and transforming how content is created and distributed for both traditional broadcasters and new players. Both worlds look at each other, sometimes approaching and others competing to keep their distinct idiosyncrasies. These trends have been building for a decade but have accelerated drastically after the COVID pandemic.
During this workshop, we will explore different entertainment formats across several platforms and learn the foundations of entertainment production. The workshop also involves producing and releasing a 30’ talk show on social media.
The class will divide into small groups. Each group will carry out the ideation, preproduction, filming, postproduction and distribution of an entertainment show for social media.
Pre-course requirements
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
On completion of this module, students will:
- Have a general understanding of the different TV entertainment programmes.
- Be able to produce a programme’s bible, running order and camera plan for a TV entertainment product.
- Be able to identify the crew’s and technical requirements to produce a TV entertainment programme.
- Be able to split responsibilities to work quickly and more efficiently.
- Be able to assign and undertake specific roles inside a production team.
- Be able to carry out the preproduction and filming for a TV entertainment programme.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 02 - The ability to understand, accept criticism and correct errors
- 08 - The ability of critical analysis, synthesis, concretion and abstraction
- 11 - The ability to generate debate and reflection
- 13 - The ability to create spoken and written communication
- 14 - Knowledge and mastery of rhetoric and oratory to communicate own ideas
- 16 - The ability to manage, analysis and reflect on content
- 22 - Knowledge and mastery of the distinction between opinion and information / colloquial and cultured register
- 27 - The ability to adapt to distinct audio visual publics and markets.
- 31 - The ability to understand the financial systems of media groups and companies.
- 35 - The ability to contextualize and critically analyze the products of the audiovisual industry
- 41 - The ability to know how the distinct elemental agencies of the audio visual sector function
- 49 - The ability to write fluent texts, step outlines or scripts
- 53 - Lingustic ability in Catalan, Spanish and English
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Teamwork
- Organisation
- Communication
- Adaptability to changes
- Problem solving
- Creativity
Syllabus
- History of entertainment in TV
- Development
- TV show Bible
- Financing
- Pitching
- Production
- Scriptwriting
- Shotlist
- Working on studio
- Editing
- Distribution and Advertisment
- Broadcasting and Release
- Metrics
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students. | 2 |
| Focused Praxis. Handing in occasional exercises to learn theory through practice. | 0,5 |
| Workshop. Advanced and intensive workshops of a longer duration, led by lecturers and/or foreign professionals, in which the language used is English. These culminate in the creation of a professional or semi-professional product which is also produced in English. | 0,5 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The seminar will be assessed for the group worked carried out, but it will also take into consideration the individual involvement of every student. Every student must present a 2-page progress report before the end of the classes.
The final grade will be set based on the following:
Production documents (bible, script, running order, shot list, crew and technical requirements): 40%
Midterm exam: 10%
Final product (complete process for developing the talk show): 50%
A minimum attendance of 80% of the classes is mandatory.
Bibliography and resources
Readings:
- Entertainment in the UK and good introduction to the programme's bible (compulsory): Chalaby, J.K. (2011). "The making of an entertainment revolution: How the TV format trade became a global industry". European Journal of Communication. 26 (4), pp.293-309.
-
Lotz, A. D. (2019). Teasing apart television industry disruption: consequences of meso-level financing practices before and after the US multiplatform era. Media, Culture & Society, 41(7), 923–938. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443719863354
- TV Factual in the UK (recommended): Brunsdon, C., Johnson, C. Moseley, R. and Wheatley, H. (2001). "Factual entertainment on British television: The Midlands TV Research Group’s 8-9 Project". Cultural Studies. 4 (1), pp.29-62
- What is the Future of Television? Blake Morgan. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/07/05/what-is-the-future-of-television/#1b37b63759de
Readings related to the future of TV entertainment due to COVID-19:
The future of Television from a distance. T.Duffy. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-televisionfrom-distance-tricia-duffy/
How the Late-Night Shows are handling Coronavirus Quarantine. M.Wright. https://www.vulture.com/2020/04/late-night-shows-nyc-coronavirus.html
Viewings (to get an idea of TV entertainment in the UK, find them on You Tube):
The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV) – Late night talk show
This Morning (ITV) – Day time talk show
Loose women (ITV) – Panel Show
The X Factor (ITV) – reality competition show
Gogglebox (Channel 4) – reality series
Don’t tell the bride (BBC) – reality series
TV Entertainment programmes produced during COVID-19 crisis
COVID-19: How the show goes on for late-night TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbMAC9A0tY
Late-night talk shows adapt to the era of COVID-19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3axHX1hQw
COVID-19 Hit Close to Home for Bob Odenkirk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qftxgii22LU
This Morning (ITV) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_fqQDr2kMg
This Morning (ITV) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qRiD752spk
Loose Women (ITV) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnvUDFkSZo4
Interesting Youtube Content Creators
Johnny Harris https://youtu.be/LjieOlWXwTw
Watcher https://youtu.be/abmzSFY0I1k
Wired https://www.youtube.com/@WIRED
NPR Music https://www.youtube.com/@nprmusic
Vox https://www.youtube.com/@Vox