Program Proposal Assignment Sheet

COJA 422: Broadcast Communication

The information on this sheet will assist you in preparing your program proposal paper. Keep in mind that you are writing this proposal from the perspective of a producer (independent or otherwise) who needs authorization, approval, and/or money to produce your 30-minute show. Write persuasively, anticipating potential criticism.

Your proposal should include the following items:

Background Research Summary - approx. 2 pgs.

Program Treatment - approx. 1 to 2 pgs.

Target Audience Analysis - 1 pg.

Proposed Budget & Production Schedule - approx. 2 to 3 pgs.

Process-Message Explanation - Objectives of show - 1 pg.

Distribution of program - TV, cable, VHS tape, etc. - 1 pg.

Show Title - less than a page

Your proposal does not need to be organized using the above order. You may wish to start with the show title and move to the treatment. After this, you would state your process-message and give research to support it. You may organize this proposal in whatever way you believe meets your overall objective - to get approval for the show. It is generally accepted practice to place the budget and schedule at the end as if it were an appendix. Write in narrative form, not outline form. Use headings and sub-headings to bring attention to new information and allow the reader to skip to areas of interest.

Here are some suggestions to consider for each area listed above:

Background Research Summary

1. Keep in mind this is a summary of the research you may have found related to your show. Don't turn this into a full-blown research paper.

2. You should include any sources used in either footnotes or endnotes.

3. Use your research to support your ideas.

4. If you find information that conflicts with your assumptions, change your assumptions.

5. Your summary should include conclusions that relate to your show ideas.

6. What should you find research about?

a. What shows have been produced similar to your show - were they successful?

b. What types of audiences were attracted to these similar shows?

c. How will your production elements add to the show’s objectives?

d. What distribution method will be the most effective?

Program Treatment

This is a narrative account of how the show will run. Describe what we will see at the introduction, during the show, before commercial breaks, and at the conclusion. Be specific about important aspects and general about everything else. This should be brief, but informative. Mention the talent, how the set or location will look, what music or sounds we will hear. This section needs to be written so the reader can see in his imagination what is going on.

Target Audience Analysis

1. What age group will most likely be interested in your show?

2. What demographic characteristics would you find in common in your audience? - gender, annual income, living standards, where they live, level of education, etc.

3. What would be a typical profile of someone in your targeted audience?

4. What topics would your audience be interested in?

5. What topics would offend or bore your targeted audience?

Proposed Budget and Production Schedule

Before you begin listing your expenses, you should first make decisions related to the actual production of your show. The questions below are designed to help you make these necessary decisions:

1. How many sets or locations will you be shooting in?

2. Will you need to build any props or set pieces?

3. What is your method of distributing the show? TV needs high-end equipment; cable-access somewhat less high-end, and VHS copies need to come from a good master tape.

4. Will you be using well-known talent? New talent? How much should you pay for them?

5. Will you need to hire one or more writers?

6. How many days will you be shooting at a particular location?

7. Will you need to provide food, restrooms, water, and transportation to your crew?

8. What parts of the show will require extensive post-production?

NOTE: How much should you spend on a 30 minute show? The maximum I would approve for production, labor, and distribution of your show is $25,000. However, I would prefer to spend a little less, if it doesn't sacrifice quality. But if you tell me it will cost X amount, and I can tell you are not being realistic with your figures, I will probably look unfavorably upon your entire proposal.

Go online and check prices for rental equipment. Estimate how many days and hours you will need things and include in the budget. 

Labor costs are difficult to estimate unless you know at what time and how long you will be shooting or editing on a given day. You must complete your production in four weeks.

The average pay for slightly experienced, freelance camera operators is $8.00 per hour. More experienced operators will be $10.00 per hour. Actors or performers may receive anywhere from $25 to $250 per day depending on the level of talent and experience needed for the show. Unless you have authorized interns available from the local college, you will need to pay EVERYONE. No volunteers will be used on this project. You must even pay yourself. Above-the-line personnel will receive a salary for their work on the show. Below-the-line personnel will be paid hourly from the time you ask them to come to the time you ask them to leave. Don't forget lunch hours and coffee breaks.

You will need insurance for each location you shoot in. This would cover accidents, liability, and medical costs. Insurance is typically 10 to 15% of the production budget.

In general, if you do not know how much it costs, call someone who is in the business or provides the service in question.

The production schedule is an outline of each day's objectives and deadlines. Schedule your shoots and editing time according to your present schedule. You have four weeks to complete this. Of course, you may hire as many people as you can afford to help you produce this.

Process Message Explanation

The Process Message is the overall objective of the show. It describes whatever experience you expect your audience to have while watching the show. The overall objective should then be divided into smaller, more specific objectives that may include many types of audience experiences on different levels. These experiences may be emotional, spiritual, mental, social, political, and/or physical. The audience could be reacting to the show by thinking about something in a different way, learning something new, feeling a certain emotion, jumping up and doing exercises with the host, or by calling their pastor or elected official.

The Process Message Explanation includes all the objectives you have for your audience. Once you know how you want your audience to respond, you can design your show with the stimuli necessary to create the desired responses.

Distribution and Show Title

In order to determine the proper method of distribution, the producer must have properly analyzed the targeted audience. If the audience is narrow or very small, it may not be necessary to show the program on a major network. Here are some questions which may help you determine your program's method of distribution:

1. Is the target audience spread out geographically over a large area, such as a city, state, or country?

2. Is there a time when the target audience meets together regularly? (church, business meetings, classroom instruction, etc.)

3. How large is the targeted audience? What methods can reach large populations?

4. Will the program need to be aired or run more than once to help saturate the audience?

5. Will the program require a large screen or method of projection for best results?

6. Will the audience need additional materials to help in understanding program content?

The following should be kept in mind when deciding upon a show's title:

1. Does the title indicate what type of program it is?

2. Does the title draw the viewers’ interest by using humor, pun, or key words?

3. Does the title refer to the process message indirectly?

4. Does the title lend itself for use in graphics or scene design easily?

The title you choose does not need to meet all the above criteria, but should incorporate at least any two of the above.

Page Format

All proposals should be typed or printed on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper using 10 or 12-pt. font. No unusual fonts or typefaces should be used for copy or headings. There should be a title page that includes the show's title, the name of the producer, and the date. Title pages may be creatively designed, but must be clearly legible. Sources should be footnoted using any standard such as MLA . Page numbers should be centered at the bottom or at the top right corner. Type on one side of the paper only.