Download Specific Roles for Media Studies (2016-17)

Roles and Agreements for PantherNation
and Media Studies Class
Introduction
The main goal of Media Studies class to give students an opportunity to engage in a wide
range of experiences in the realm of media production. You will have many experience
to write, video, edit, live-stream, interview, be on-camera, and much more…
However, in an effort to keep the class streamlined, you will be assigned a main role.
This main responsibility should take up to 80% of your attention in media studies class;
as a rule of thumb, it is only when the duties associated with your main role are
completed that you may move on to other endeavours.
Article and Video Production in Media Studies Class
Once a main role has been established for you, your job is to fulfill your duties to the best
of your ability. Brainstorming sessions will happen in two ways: as a whole class, and
with your sections editors.
Class brainstorming sessions will happen approximately once every two weeks. They
will be led by the Managing Director of Writing (and others as needed), and will serve as
an idea generator, as well as a “check-in” for all sections to share ideas, thoughts and
improvements to be considered.
Section brainstorming sessions (i.e. News, Opinion, Video etc.) will happen more on an
ad-hoc basis, or as the section editor deems necessary.
As a writer, you will usually be working on two projects at a time. Once you publish one
of them, you must seek out your section editor’s guidance for your next assignment
The Class
Media Studies is a special place to be in that the class is run mainly by the students; and
the quality of work is a product of the pride the have in themselves, and the
PantherNation team. Class Advisors are there to help organize and communicate… but
largely, students are given the freedom to create, produce and problem solve as a team.
Hence, responsibility, pride, dedication and collaboration are essential character traits in
this class.
Positions – Senior Leadership Level
* - indicates must have one year experience with class to apply for position.
Managing Director of Video*: Responsible for the quality and production of
all videos which go on the PantherNation Website; this includes “The Broadcast”, and
feature articles, and any recurring programming; must organize teams to assist reporters
in recording and editing video articles; needs to be familiar with all equipment used in
making and editing videos (Cameras, Sounds, Final Cut Pro), must be a tactful
communicator of ideas; must be responsible and willing enough to ‘go many extra
miles’ to ensure the high quality of each video.
There are two assistants for this position as well. These three positions are charged with
ensuring the high quality of every video produced at PantherNation.
Duties: Communicate effectively with everyone in class; produce and Edit one quality
video article very 6 classes.
Directly responsible to: Class Advisors (Mr. Duffy and Mr. Bell)
Managing Director of Website*:
responsible for the upkeep, update,
aesthetic quality and “user-friendliness” of the PantherNation website; developing
article layout formats for the website; and promotion of the website. Must work closely
with Section Editors to ensure all uploads are done in a timely and efficient manner. The
Marketing Website Managing Director is “the-go-to-person” for all issues that have to do
with media and website technology at PantherNation.
Duties: responsible for the layout and presentation of the PantherNation webpage;
upload all articles (video and print) to webpage; creation of IASAS webpages; monitor
and use information garnered from webpage analytics to improve readership.
Directly responsible to: Class Advisors (Mr. Duffy and Mr. Bell)
Managing Director of Writing*:
The person in this role is responsible for
the quality or writing of in every article, video, program and email produced for
PantherNation. Must provide critical feedback to all reporters and help them improve
their craft.
Duties: editing and ensuring the quality of every article and video produced; working
with Programming Editor to ensure the high writing quality of all
video programming; an energetic consultant for reporters seeking
advice on sources, developing questions for interviews, emails etc.;
Understand tone, organization, conventions of different article
types (i.e. news vs opinion etc.), bias, balanced reporting, and
vibrant energetic word choice. Running Brainstorming sessions
for entire class.
Directly responsible to: Class Advisors (Mr. Duffy and Mr. Bell)
Managing Director of IASAS Events and Marketing*: We can
expect to cover 4-6 IASAS events in any given year at PantherNation. This person
oversees all aspects of IASAS coverage including webpage design, scheduling, specific
duties for the class, pre-IASAS magazine and any other issues that may occur in the
coverage of IASAS events; It is understood that this may make for an “uneven” workload
(i.e. very busy when IASAS events approach… not so much at other times.) Weekly
PROMOTION of PantherNation via Mail Chimp, Facebook, other promotional tools at
ISB. For this reason, this senior leader may choose to work with other Senior Leader
projects according to their interest. Must be a tactful communicator of ideas; must be
responsible and willing enough to ‘go many extra miles’ to ensure the high quality of
IASAS coverage.
Duties: communicate effectively with every one in the class; organize the class for
IASAS coverage; the quality coverage of all IASAS events; coverage of TEDx Talks.
Directly responsible to: Class Advisors (Mr. Duffy and Mr. Bell)
Positions – Editor Level
Section Editors (4)*
(News, Opinions, Arts & Entertainment, Sports): responsible for the
high quality of the articles, videos feature programs produced in their section; must keep
a running list of brainstormed and creative ideas to assign to reporters in their section;
must assign duties to reporters; must be highly organized and an effective
communicator/motivator with reporters, photographers and the Managing Director of
Website, Video and Writing; must have a thorough understanding of the The Website and
Final Cut Pro, as well competence with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Photoshop; must be
a good writer and a good editor of articles; must be willing to contribute extra articles
and/or photographs when required; must be committed to offering after-school time when
required.
Duties: responsible for consistently producing top notch articles (which are exemplars
for their team); responsible for the high quality of every article produced for their section.
Directly responsible to: Managing Director of Video, Website Managing Director,
Managing Director of Writing.
Positions – Production Level
Reporters: In essence, EVERYONE IN Media Studies class is a reporter!
You
will all be writing and producing videos over the course of the year… Students who
are specifically assigned as reporters will work in combination with their section editor,
the Managing Director of Writing and the Managing Director of Video to ensure the high
quality of what they produce. ARTICLES MAY BE WRITTEN, VIDEO or COMBO
– your job, in consultation with your Section Editor, is to choose the best form of
media to tell your story.
Must be: a strong writer and interviewer; an understanding of the basics of camera work
and video editing; open to the editing process and the suggestions offered; a creative and
innovative generator of article topics; very responsible, motivated, competent, creative.
For each article/video to be published, reporters must obtain 3 edits, and approval from
section and senior leaders.
Duties: consistent production of articles and video in their section
Directly responsible to: The specific section editor they are assigned to, or writing
for.
Supplementary Positions:
1. Camera Operator: use of camera for all video production at PantherNation
2. Sound Technician: responsible for quality of sound on all video productions.
3. Equipment Manager: responsible for the maintenance and whereabouts of
equipment.