Sample Proposal – “This Week, Tonight”

Section 1: PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. Mike Dehart (A) and Kyle Jamieson (B)

2. (A) – TV/R (Video Prod), Exercise Science Minor, Junior, 2007

(B) – TV/R (Video Prod), Junior, 2007

3. (A) – Circle Apartment 30-05 A, 607-745-6832, mdehart1@ithaca.edu

(B) – Circle Apartment 30-05 C, 212-279-6237, kjamies1@ithaca.edu

4. Why do you want to be an ICTV producer?

We want to be ICTV producers because we would like to gain the

experience of producing a television show. Our career aspirations include
producing in the television industry and this will be a great learning
experience. We are also very excited about our idea for the show and feel
that we can add another high-quality program to ICTV.

Section 2: SHOW INFORMATION

1. Title: “This Week, Tonight”

2. Synopsis: Weekly half-hour in studio current events satire. The show will be live
to tape in the beginning but will go live once we are comfortable with the format.

3. Rationale:

Why should ICTV produce this show? Why is this good for us?

1.) Currently, there is not a weekly variety show on ICTV “This Week,
Tonight” will be unique programming for the station.

2.) We have already constructed an excellent set that needs to be put to use.

3.) Shows of a similar genre, like ICTV’s “30 Minutes,” have show the
success of this format.

4.) We will produce one 30 second show tease each week that can be played
on ICTV between shows, instead of PSA’s.

5.) Last but not least, we will commit to producing a show every week.
 Commitment to a regular schedule will leave no room for “ifs ands or
buts” when it comes to getting our shows done on time. Also, in order for
us to go live, we will need plenty of practice.

4. Topics:

Topics will stem from the previous week’s international, national and regional
current events. The topics that will be focused on are:

A Block: International, National, Regional News

B Block: Entertainment, Sports, Movies, TV
C Block: Rotating segments (see FORMAT)
D Block: Upcoming Events.

5. Discussion Content

See FORMAT

6. Booking Guests:

Majority of guests will consist of the show’s recurring alternating talent

and will not require booking.

When guest booking is necessary they will be approached at least one

week in advance with a follow up two days prior to the show. Possible
guests can be found by keeping an eye on local publications for current
events, book releases, new businesses, local politics, etc.
7. Production:

1.) The majority of the show will be filmed in studio in a straightforward live
to tape fashion with the goal of having a few live shows by the end of the
semester.
2.) One short field package and multiple news stories will be prepared the
week of the show. With a deadline of 24 hours prior to the taping.
3.) We need between 3-4 hours in Studio A or B. We are requesting a
weeknight (Thursday) studio time from 7 or 8PM – 11PM. Thursday will
be the best night for our show due to the nature of the content. We could
accept another weeknight if necessary.
4.) Setup: Lighting and setup: 8-9
Blocking and rehearsals: 9-9:45
Live to tape: 10-10:30
Breakdown and cleanup: 10:30-11
5.) The summer will allow for a great deal of prep time for things like
graphics packages.

8. Format:
A Block: International, National, Regional news (6 mins)
• The Host will discuss this content

B Block: Entertainment, Sports, Movies, TV (6 mins)

• Two anchors will go back and forth on these topics
- Similar format to ESPN’s Pardon the
Interruption.
C Block: Alternating Segments (2 segments per show)(8 mins)
• Tip of the Berg
- Light hearted editorial on an everyday issue
o Think Andy Rooney or Lewis Black

• Consumer Product Report

- Reporter will go into the Field and evaluates
businesses and products in the Ithaca area.
o Could include restaurants, stores, or just
individual products such as the latest
version of the iPod.

• Interview
- A one on one interview conducted by the host.
- Possible Interview Guests
o Local authors, Artists, Musicians,
Filmmakers
o Owners of new local businesses or
businesses that have been in the news
prominently that week
o Local politicians
o Organizers of upcoming events

• Investigative Report
- Reporter goes into the Field and investigates an
issue relevant to the local community.
o Tax abatement
o Environmental Issues
o Local Politics
o Protesting Issues

• Tonight’s Specials
- Segment starts off as a food critic or cooking
segment, but every time before the talent gets to
the dish at hand he goes of on a wild tangent.

• Too Much Tonight

- Deals with the latest trends weekly
 o Fashion, music, buzz words, food, etc.

D Block: Upcoming Events

• Next Week Tonight
- Reviews what’s up in the week to come
o Events, movies coming out, business /
restaurant openings, concerts, etc.

9. Timetable:
(This is assuming a Thursday Taping Date also that Rush Night and First
Air Dates are similar to those in Fall 2005)

September 6th – Rush Night

September 7th – Crew Selection Meeting
September 8th/9th – Auditions
September 10th - Cast Selection Meeting
September 12th- Cast and Crew Meeting
September 14th- Practice Show (w/ Cast and Crew)
September 21st - First Episode
September 28th- Second Episode
October 5th - Third Episode
October 12th - Fourth Episode
October 19th - Fall Break – No Show
October 26th - Fifth Episode
November 9th - Sixth Episode
November 16th - Seventh Episode
November 30th - Eighth Episode
December 7th - Tenth Episode

Section 3: TECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. Unit Positions and Pre-selected Positions

Producers: Michael DeHart, Kyle Jamieson

Content Director: Ram Calley

Possible Directors: Pete Berg, Ram Calley, Kyle Jamieson

Possible TD’s: Eric Zapakin, Kyle Jamieson, Michael DeHart

People who have show interest in crew positions: Ram Calley, Pete Berg, Bob
Salatchic, Vijay Singuh, Mike Gainey, Sean Moran, Kyle Bosman, Eric Zapakin,
Ryan Reagan, Mike Van Buren, Angel Yao, Hal McFall, Kaitlin Shargo, Jeremy
Taglifare
Technical Positions Needed: Director, Technical Director, Assistant Director,
 Audio Director, Lighting Director, Chyron, Still Store, Tape-ops, Teleprompter,
Floor Manager, 3-4 Camera operators, Production assistants, Field Director, Field
Camera, Field Audio

Talent Positions Needed: Host, Under the Radar News Anchor, Popular News
Anchors, Next Week Tonight Anchors

2. Equipment Needs:

Studio (A or B): Control Room, VTRs, Lav mics, XLR cables, Jib Camera,
Projector from both Master Control and Reserved from PPECS through David
Priester (he has already approved this request)

Field: Camera, boom mic w/ pole, XLR cables, lav mics, lighting kits

Section 4: QUALIFICATIONS TO PRODUCE

1. ICTV participation history

Michael DeHart: Broadcast producer, editor for Quabble, talent on Sunrise Blvd.

Kyle Jamieson: Broadcast – producer, director; The Screening Room – director,

assistant director, lighting director; writer for Unicorn Boy, Sunrise Blvd –
director, technical director and other various positions

2. Facilities / Equipment Qualifications

a. Linear edit approved, Final Cut Pro proficiency
b. Relevant classes – Intro to Media Prod, Intro and Intermediate Field
Production, TV P&D, Advanced Studio Production

3. Management Background

Kyle Jamieson: President of IC Stand Up, Group Leader at Mardayca Day

program (Summer camp for children w/ special needs)

Michael DeHart: Habitat for Humanity: Executive Board member, Spring Break
Trip Leader (Ithaca), Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity at RIT, Vice President of
Comedy Troup at RIT, Lead counselor at E-magination Computer camp.

Rough Episode Rundown (A) (See format for Segment Summaries)

1. V.O. intro – What’s on today’s show 15 secs

2. Pre-produced open – Graphics 30 secs (45 secs)

3. Host intro to the show 15 secs (1 min)

 A BLOCK

4. International News 2 mins (3 min)

5. National News 2 mins (5 min)

6. Regional News 2 mins (7 min)

7. Shorts (Viewer created) 1 min (8 min)

B BLOCK

8. Host welcome back intro Segment 10 secs (8 min 10 sec)

9. Entertainment Segment 6 min (14min 10sec)

10. Shorts 1 min (15min 10sec)

C BLOCK

11. Host intro Segment 10 secs (15min 20sec)

12. Alternating Segment 1 3 min (18min 20sec)

13. Host at Desk w/ Correspondent 1 min (19min 20sec)

14. Alternating Segment 2 3 min (22min 20sec)

15. Host at Desk w/ Correspondent 1 min (23min 20sec)

16. Shorts 1 min (24min 20sec)

D BLOCK

17. Next Week Tonight 3 min (27min 20sec)

18. Outro (Summary and Sponsor thanks) 1 min (28min 20sec)

19. Credits (over student opinions) 10 secs (28min 30sec)