Fundamentals of Television Production

Fundamentals of Television Production is a comprehensive, in-depth text for both basic and advanced television production courses. Authors Ralph Donald and Thomas Spann have provided a number of unique features:

• Key terms and definitions at the end of each chapter.


• Over 400 photos and figures.


• Coverage of equipment, old and new, from a history of videotape to new developments in high-definition TV.


• Through explanations of highly technical and theoretical topics.

Fundamentals of Television Production covers the technical aspects of production, including cameras, lenses, lighting instruments, microphones and graphics, as well as discussions of the aesthetic considerations that should be given to such areas as shot composition and lighting. The text also covers the relative side of production, from scriptwriting to production design to the artistic skills necessary for directing. Beginning with an overview of the three phases of the production process for a situation comedy, a commercial and news story, students are introduced to the activities associated with preproduction, production and postproduction.

Written in and accessible, engaging manner, Fundamentals of Television Production will help students develop an understanding of the basic skills needed for below-the-line technical personnel and above-the-line creative personnel.