346 Pages
    by Routledge

    346 Pages
    by Routledge

    The New Television Handbook provides an exploration of the theory and practice of television at a time when the medium is undergoing radical changes. The book looks at television from the perspective of someone new to the industry, and explores the place of the medium within a constantly changing digital landscape.

    This title discusses key skills involved in television production, including: producing, production management, directing, camera, sound, editing and visual effects. Each of these activities is placed within a wider context as it traces the production process from commissioning to post-production.

    The book outlines the broad political and economic context of the television industry. It gives an account of television genres, in particular narrative, factual programmes and news, and it considers the academic discipline of media studies and the ways in which theorists have analysed and tried to understand the medium. It points to the interplay of theory and practice as it draws on the history of the medium and observes the ways in which the past continues to influence and invigorate the present.

    The New Television Handbook includes:

    • contributions from practitioners ranging from established producers to new entrants;
    • a comprehensive list of key texts and television programmes;
    • a revised glossary of specialist terms;
    • a section on training and ways of getting into the industry.

    By combining theory, real-world advice and a detailed overview of the industry and its history, The New Television Handbook is an ideal guide for students of media and television studies and young professionals entering the television industry.

    Part 1: Background: Television structure and television studies  1. On the context and structure of contemporary television  2. Television studies  Part 2: The practitioner’s perspective  3. Production and production management  4. The visual dimension  5. Sound  6. Post-production  7. Second screen and the production of material that supplements and enhances the main programme  Part 3: About programmes  8. On genres  9. Narrative television  10. Documentary and factual  11. News and current affairs  12. ‘Everyday television’ and new genres  Part 4: On education, training and getting into the industry  Conclusion: Looking to the future

    Biography

    Patricia Holland has worked as an independent filmmaker, a television editor and a freelance journalist. She is currently a writer and researcher specialising in television history, and lectures at Bournemouth University, UK. Her most recent book is Broadcasting and the NHS in the Thatcherite 1980s (2013). She is the author of the first and second editions of The Television Handbook.

    ‘I am concerned however that there isn’t, or doesn’t seem to be, a focus on how television is consumed rather than produced… I think topics such as red button, second screen, 360 degree commissioning, transmedia, connectivity etc need to be drawn together in a cohesive fashion. I also feel that YouTube is slightly dismissed.’ – Andy Dougan, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, UK

    ‘The pace with which the media landscape is changing (and has changed since 2011) means that the debates around television(s) and its multi-platform nature are essential ones for students of both television practice and theory. As such, the retitling of the handbook as ‘new’ is absolutely appropriate and clearly indicates a recognition of what the author calls the ‘radical changes which have characterised television (since the 4th edition)’ – Beth Johnson, Keele University, UK

    ‘This is an excellent proposal and the author, who is highly regarded in academic circles, is well-equipped to undertake this task… For me the proposals main lacuna is that it underplays the significance of news as an important TV genre in its own right’ – Ivor Gaber, Goldsmiths, UK

    ‘The nature and role of TV production and TV studies is evolving so much and so fast – a book that reflects this change is timely and important. Here you cover the key areas well.’ – James Blake, Edinburgh Napier University, UK

    Series editor feedback on proposal and reviews:

    ‘It looks very good to me...These are very positive reviews for a good proposal by a good author. My suggestion to Pat is that she does say something about the BJTC - it would be politic.’ – James Curran