Media Team & Documentary
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM
The course is divided into 6 production phases.
PHASE 1 — INTRO TO MEDIA & JOURNALISM
Weeks 1–5
Students learn the foundations of storytelling and media production.
Week 1 — What is Media?
Explore journalism, film, and documentary
Watch student media examples
Discuss media responsibility
Exercise: Students record a 30-second video introduction
Week 2 — Storytelling Fundamentals
What makes a good story?
Beginning, middle, end
Emotional storytelling
Exercise: Students storyboard a short story
Week 3 — Journalism Basics
What is news?
Fact vs opinion
Ethics in reporting
Exercise: Students write a short news script
Week 4 — Camera Basics
Camera angles
Framing
Rule of thirds
Shot types
Exercise: Students shoot 5 types of shots
Week 5 — Sound & Lighting
Microphones
Natural light vs studio light
Clean audio
Exercise: Film a short interview
PHASE 2 — REPORTING TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Weeks 6–10
Students begin acting as news reporters and field journalists.
Week 6 — Interview Skills
Asking strong questions
Listening skills
Respectful interviewing
Exercise: Interview a classmate
Week 7 — News Writing
Writing for video
Script formatting
Voiceover writing
Exercise: Write a 1 minute news segment
Week 8 — On-Camera Presence
Confidence
Eye contact
Voice projection
Exercise: Record news anchor practice
Week 9 — Field Reporting
Reporting on location
Capturing B-roll
Exercise: Cover a school event
Week 10 — Editing Basics
Intro to editing software
Cutting clips
Adding sound and text
Exercise: Edit a 1-minute news story
PHASE 3 — MORNING NEWS PRODUCTION
Weeks- 11–15
Students create a weekly school news broadcast.
Segments include:
Announcements
Student spotlight
Teacher spotlight
Event coverage
Week 11- Build a News Show Format
Roles:
Producer
Anchor
Camera operator
Editor
Field reporter
Week 12 - Film first news broadcast
Week 13 - Editing and publishing
Week 14 - Second broadcast with improved structure
Week 15 - Launch the School News Channel
PHASE 4 — SPORTS & EVENT COVERAGE
Weeks 16–20
Students learn live event filming and highlight editing.
Week 16 — Sports Cinematography
Tracking action
Slow motion highlights
Exercise: Film sports practice
Week 17 — Commentary Students practice sports announcing
Week 18 — Highlight Reels Students edit game highlights
Week 19 — Event Coverage Students cover:
performances
assemblies
poetry events
LIOTA programs
Week 20 Publish Sports & Event Recap Show
PHASE 5 — MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION
Weeks 21–25
Students explore creative film making.
Week 21 — Music Video Concepts
Visual storytelling
Creative directing
Exercise: Storyboard a music video
Week 22 — Camera Movement
Tracking shots
Drone (if available)
Stabilizers
Week 23 — Filming Students shoot music video
Week 24 — Editing
Effects
Rhythm editing
Week 25 Premiere Student Music Video
PHASE 6 — DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKING
Weeks 26–30
Students produce documentaries about LIOTA programs and community stories.
Possible topics:
The poetry program
Student artists
Cultural storytelling
Community leaders
Week 26 — Documentary Structure
Character
Conflict
Message
Week 27 — Research & Interviews
Week 28 — Filming
Week 29 — Editing Documentary
Week 30 — FILM FESTIVAL
Students host a School Media Festival screening:
News highlights
Music videos
Documentaries
Assessment
Students are evaluated on:
Participation/ 20%
Teamwork/ 20%
Media production quality/15%
Creativity/ 15%
Communication/ 15%
Ethical storytelling/ 15%
Student Roles
Students rotate through:
Reporter
Director
Camera operator
Editor
Anchor
Producer
Sound engineer
Equipment Used
Students learn professional tools:
DSLR / phone cameras
Tripods
Microphones
Lighting kits
Editing software
Final Outcome
Students leave with:
A media portfolio
Real production experience
Public speaking skills
Collaborative leadership
Documentary storytelling ability