The Fundamentals Of Television

Question 1

True or false in 1943 NBC was forced by the government to sell off one of its studios, the blue Network due to antitrust laws. This Network became ABC.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What was the all channels act of 1961 designed to do?

Answer 2

It was a law passed by Congress designed to ensure that the federal communication commission was able to demand that all television set manufacturers create a UHF receiver. This allowed small local channels to broadcast.

Question 3

Define television network

Answer 3

The term Network refers to a telecommunication system, built to distribute television content in which a central entity responsible for producing programs, provides programming to many geographically distributed television stations .

Question 4

Explain what are the “financial interest in syndication” rules

Answer 4

These are rules that were imposed in 1970 by the US federal communications commission in an attempt to prevent broadcast monopolization. The rules prevented networks from owning any of the programming they air in prime time and prohibited networks from airing syndicated programming in which they had a financial stake.

Question 5

Define cable television

Answer 5

Cable television is a system of delivering programming to consumers via signals transmitted through cables.

Question 6

Define “genre television”

Answer 6

This refers to shows operating within a few very specific genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, comedy, and Horror

Question 7

Provide a definition of a procedural drama

Answer 7

A procedural drama is an episodic series that progresses according to a plot sequence based on a technical process such as in the medical procedural like Greys Anatomy. Episodes typically feature standalone plots, where, in the story is introduced, developed and resolved within the same episode.

Question 8

What is a show runner?

Answer 8

The show runner is the leading producer of the television series.

Question 9

What is breaking the story?

Answer 9

Breaking refers to the process of distributing story or plot points, or narrative elements of a story arc within an episode, taking into account a season or series long arc

Question 10

What is the story beat?

Answer 10

An element of plot in a story. Story beats are significant high points of action, which act as tent poles for the story by connecting the individual action points together to build out the story.

Question 11

Define cold opening

Answer 11

The cold opening introduces the conflict at hand, or the situation of the situational comedy

Question 12

A short sceen in a sitcom that showcases, a gag or character trait for one last laugh in the show is called the

Answer 12

Tag

Question 13

A crucial step in a season long television series is called breaking the story which refers to the process of what?

Answer 13

Distributing the narrative elements of a story arc within an episode, taking into account the season or series long arc.

Question 14

Most hour, long television episodes begin with a teaser scene, followed by how many acts?

Answer 14

4 to 5

Question 15

What’s the difference between single camera and multi camera sitcoms

Answer 15

Multi camera, sitcoms Iare filmed before a live audience

Question 16

What is a packet?

Answer 16

A collection of sample work jokes, sketches scenes, etc. used as application materials for the position of writer on a television show

Question 17

What is a staff writer?

Answer 17

The title for entry-level writers, getting their first job in a writers room the staff writer help spread the story in the room and pitches ideas

Question 18

What is a story editor?

Answer 18

A writer who is guaranteed an episode to write, and has their name in the credits

Question 19

What is a storyboard?

Answer 19

A storyboard is a series of drawings, either hand written, or with the use of software to help plan camera angles, lighting, costumes, set design, and character movements. They create a sense of visual consistency throughout the story. 

Question 20

What are the important elements to have in the scene for each story board shot?

Answer 20

You need to determine whether or not you want. The camera zoomed in on a close-up or a full body shot. You need to know how many people will be in the shot and what specific objects will be there.

Question 21

Why is it important to have Notes included in your story board?

Answer 21

 Notes emphasize the things that are harder to sketch. For example, if you have 39 people in one scene, it’s very difficult to draw them so you would simply have a note that says there will be 39 people in the background of the shot.

Question 22

Do you need to include the facts that you want to have in the scene in your story board?

Answer 22

Yes, it’s important to have notes on affects and any scene switching that will take place. If you’re going to have a scene switching back-and-forth every couple of seconds, you need to note that on the storyboard, this is useful for your video editor. 

Question 23

How are story boards created in big budget productions versus indie films?

Answer 23

In Big budget productions, there are artists hired specifically to create storyboards, whereas in indie films, they are typically done by the Director. 

Question 24

What is flat staging as it relates to storyboarding?

Answer 24

Flat staging is a picture that is devoid of 3-D perspective. A flat image isn’t very engaging.

Question 25

Why is it important to lay down grids in your story board?

Answer 25

Ground grids help develop a sense of space and camera position. Without grids, it can be hard to tell where the figures are standing in the scene.

Question 26

How do you create depth in a storyboard?

Answer 26

By having elements at different distances.

Question 27

Why are over the shoulder shots and reaction shots important to your storyboard?

Answer 27

 They help deliver dialogue.

Question 28

What is an EPK?

Answer 28

Electronic Press Kit

Question 29

What is a storyboard?

Answer 29

Drawings or slides to build the visual aesthetic of the story to demonstrate the vibe, plan, camera, angles, lighting, costumes, set design, and character movements.

Question 30

How does cable television contrast with broadcast television?

Answer 30

Cable television contrasts with broadcast television, in that it is not is transmitted through the air by radio waves and its programming is funded by monthly subscriptions fees paid by viewers and therefore is not subject to the same regulations that govern public airwaves and broadcast television.

Question 31

What are the responsibilities of the show runner?

Answer 31

The showrunner guides the creative vision of the series. While they aren’t always the initial creators of the show, they take over all aspects of the creative elements, developing the vision of the whole series, the direction of the story and character arcs through each season, etc. They hire writers

Question 32

True or false; on a television set the show runner out ranks the episode Director?

Answer 32

True