TOO BROAD
“We will cover the Fall Dance.”
This names the event, but it does not identify a story, perspective, audience takeaway, or recording plan.
Get the Green Light
Pre-Production Check-In
Get the Green Light
1 / 18
OPA TV PRE-PRODUCTION CHECK-IN
Get the
Green Light
Complete a usable, de-identified Pre-Production Check-In across Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment.
Estimated time
25–30 minutes
Use Back and Next to move through the lesson.
Start with the plan
The Pre-Production Check-In
By the end of this module, you will complete a usable, de-identified Pre-Production Check-In across Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment.
Every OPA TV episode begins with a production plan—not with a camera.
Before production begins, the crew’s designated showrunner completes the Pre-Production Check-In and submits it to Mr. Oxford, the supervising producer, for review.
The actual form structure
Five Planning Areas
The Pre-Production Check-In is the planning form completed by the crew’s designated showrunner before an episode moves toward production.
Pre-Production Check-InPractice preview
- 01StoryTitle · purpose · takeaway · script · shots · backup
- 02CrewShowrunner · roles · training · borrowers
- 03TalentParticipants · class · teacher · request trail
- 04LocationsPlace · schedule · authority · response
- 05EquipmentKit · timing · storage · privacy limits
One submitted check-in becomes the production record Mr. Oxford uses to review the crew’s plan.
One complete plan contains five planning areas: Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, Equipment.
This practice form is de-identified. It does not create a live production record.
Planning area 01 · Story
The Story
The event may already be assigned. You are not pitching whether OPA TV should cover it. You are pitching the story within the event.
A usable story plan explains:
- What viewers should understand.
- Whose perspective will tell the story.
- What the crew will record.
- How the story will open, develop, and close.
- Why the story will be interesting to the audience.
A complete story draft includes
- A working title
- A one-sentence story angle
- The main idea or audience takeaway
- Interview subjects and draft questions
- An opening, middle, and closing
- Required and supporting shots
- A backup plan
HINT: The pitch must be specific enough for Mr. Oxford to determine whether the story is clear, appropriate, feasible, and ready for the next approval step.
STORY-READY
“We will show how ASB transforms an empty build area into the Fall Dance haunted house through student interviews and construction B-roll.”
This identifies the subject, transformation, perspective, and visual evidence the crew will use.
Planning area 02 · Crew
The Crew
Production is a handoff. Every crew role contributes information to the same plan.
Before the pitch is submitted, each crew member should understand:
- The story being produced
- Their assigned role
- The filming schedule and location
- The required shots and equipment
- The approved backup plan
Select each crew member to see what that role contributes to the plan.
Showrunner
The Showrunner
Leads the episode and maintains the production plan.
- Confirms the story, crew, schedule, and locations.
- Completes and submits the Pre-Production Check-In.
- Brings contact requests to Mr. Oxford before sending them.
- Tracks required responses and approvals.
- Reports conflicts or day-of changes to Mr. Oxford.
- Makes sure the crew follows the exact approved plan.
Writer
The Writer
Turns the assigned event into a focused and recordable story.
- Develops the story angle and audience takeaway.
- Drafts interview questions, narration, or a script.
- Plans the opening, middle, and closing.
- Identifies required and supporting shots.
- Checks names, facts, and pronunciations.
- Submits adequate questions or a satisfactory script at least 24 hours before filming.
Camera Operator
The Camera Operator
Translates the story plan into the pictures and sound the crew must record.
- Reviews the required and supporting shots.
- Identifies the camera, audio, tripod, and accessory needs.
- Confirms that the proposed shots are possible in the approved location.
- Participates in equipment preflight.
- Reports missing, damaged, or unprepared equipment.
- Records only the approved subject, location, time, and plan.
On-Camera Talent
On-Camera Talent
Appears on camera as a host, reporter, interviewer, or presenter.
- Reviews the story angle, script, and interview questions.
- Practices names, facts, transitions, and pronunciations.
- Confirms availability for the approved filming time.
- Follows wardrobe and appearance expectations.
- Prepares respectful follow-up questions.
- Represents OPA professionally when working with guests and staff.
Editor
The Editor
Plans how the recorded material will become a complete story.
- Reviews the story structure and required shots.
- Identifies footage needed for transitions and coverage.
- Confirms the crew’s file-storage and backup plan.
- Prepares the approved episode folder.
- Helps identify missing shots before filming.
- Protects original media and keeps files organized.
Planning area 03 · Talent
The Talent
Talent includes anyone who will appear on camera or be interviewed.
Choose people who serve the story—not simply the crew’s closest friends. Look for people whose knowledge, experience, or perspective will help the audience understand the subject.
Before requesting talent
The showrunner must:
- Confirm that the person is willing and available.
- Identify the person’s classroom teacher when class time is involved.
- Identify the adult who controls the filming location.
- Bring the contact request to Mr. Oxford for approval.
- Wait until Mr. Oxford approves the request before sending it.
Talent · Classroom request
Requesting a Student from Class
A classroom-removal request must be sent at least three school days before filming, unless Mr. Oxford approves a different timeline.
The request must include:
- The student’s name
- The class period
- The requested day
- The amount of time needed
- The production purpose
- A statement that the student is responsible for missed work
The classroom teacher may respond by email or give Mr. Oxford verbal approval.
If the teacher does not respond, refuses the request, or identifies a conflict, bring the issue to Mr. Oxford immediately. Do not negotiate a different time or plan yourself.
Request rule: Mr. Oxford approves the message before it is sent. The classroom teacher approves the student’s removal from class.
Open the model classroom request
Model classroom request
Fictional example—do not use real student or contact information.
Subject: OPA TV Interview Request — Jordan Lee — Period 3
Hello Ms. Rivera,
With Mr. Oxford’s approval, OPA TV Crew Blue is requesting permission for Jordan Lee to leave Period 3 on Friday for approximately 20 minutes.
Jordan will be interviewed about ASB’s construction of the Fall Dance haunted house. Jordan will be responsible for completing any classwork missed during that time.
Please reply to this email or give Mr. Oxford verbal approval.
Thank you,
Crew Blue Showrunner
OPA TV
Jordan Lee and Ms. Rivera are fictional names used for this example.
Planning area 04 · Locations
The Locations
Every filming location has an adult who controls access to it.
A location request must include
- The production purpose
- Requested date and time
- Exact location
- Expected filming length
- People involved
- The action or access being requested
Mr. Oxford must approve the request before the showrunner sends it.
Locations · Timing
The Schedule
A production plan must show that the crew has enough time to receive approvals, prepare the story, film, edit, and meet its air date.
Record these dates
- Proposed filming date
- Start and end time
- Expected production length
- Intended air or delivery date
- Equipment checkout and return time
- Backup filming time
Remember the two deadlines
Send the approved classroom or location request.
Submit adequate interview questions or a satisfactory script to Mr. Oxford.
Connect the five areas
Keep One Complete Plan
Use one Pre-Production Check-In to keep Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment connected.
StoryCrewTalentLocationsEquipment
If a real production changes, bring the updated plan to Mr. Oxford.
Plan evidence
Make the Plan Usable
A usable check-in connects the people, places, story materials, equipment, storage, and backup plan.
PeoplePlacesStory materialsEquipmentStorageBackup plan
The real form and Mr. Oxford guide each production after this practice lesson.
Planning area 05 · Equipment
The Equipment
Equipment planning connects the kit, preflight, file plan, and backup plan to the story.
1. Equipment request
Identify the complete kit
The crew identifies the camera kit, tripod, microphone, headphones, accessories, and storage needed for the approved plan.
3. Equipment preflight
Before the kit leaves the room, the trained crew confirms:
- The kit is complete and working.
- Main and spare batteries are charged.
- The memory card has enough usable space.
- The card is appropriate for the camera and recording plan.
- The lens is clean.
- Audio equipment works.
- The crew’s file-storage location is ready.
A failed preflight stops checkout until Mr. Oxford approves the next action.
Equipment · Original media
Protect the Footage
The production plan must explain where the crew will place and protect its original media.
Before filming, the crew should know:
- Which memory card will be used
- Whether the card has enough recording space
- Which approved crew storage device will receive the files
- Where the episode folder is located
- Who is responsible for transferring the files
- How the original files will be backed up
- When the card may be cleared for reuse
Producer rule
Never erase, rename, move, or share original footage until the approved transfer and backup are confirmed.
Do not place private contact information, permission records, student records, or confidential notes in public folders.
Equipment · Contingency
Plan for the Plan to Change
A production-ready pitch anticipates what could go wrong.
The backup plan may include:
- A different filming time
- An approved alternate location
- An approved alternate interview subject
- A scaled-down version of the story
- Different shots that still support the story
- Replacement equipment
- A plan for weather or event changes
Day-of change rule
An absent subject, unavailable location, schedule change, or equipment problem does not give the crew permission to create a new plan.
Bring every material change to Mr. Oxford before proceeding.
The crew does not independently replace the subject, location, time, story, or equipment.
Worked example
Build the Fall Dance Check-In
Crew Blue is creating a two-minute behind-the-scenes feature about ASB constructing the haunted house for the Fall Dance.
The audience should understand how ASB transforms an empty build area into the event experience.
The crew plans to interview an ASB student and record construction B-roll.
Story
Crew Blue should record:
- Working title: Building the Scare
- Event: Fall Dance haunted-house construction
- Purpose: Show how ASB transforms an empty area into the haunted-house experience
- Final product: Two-minute behind-the-scenes feature
Main idea:
Viewers will understand how ASB plans and builds the Fall Dance haunted-house experience.
Possible interview questions:
- What experience do you want students to have when they enter the haunted house?
- What has been the biggest design or construction challenge?
- How does the ASB team divide the work?
Required and supporting shots:
- Empty build area
- Students planning and measuring
- Construction process
- Detail shots of props and decorations
- Wide shots showing the transformation
- ASB student interview
Crew
Crew Blue should identify:
- The designated showrunner
- Crew members and assigned roles
- Any staff or administrator needed
Crew: Crew Blue
Talent
Crew Blue should identify:
- The proposed ASB interview subject
- The student’s classroom teacher
- Whether the student, classroom time, and location are confirmed
- Who provided each approval
Locations
Crew Blue should record:
- Proposed filming date and time
- Haunted-house build location
- Expected filming length
- Intended air date
- Backup filming time
Crew Blue should identify:
- The ASB adviser or adult controlling the build area
The showrunner must receive Mr. Oxford’s approval before sending classroom or location requests.
Equipment
Equipment request:
Camera kit, tripod, microphone, headphones, charged batteries, memory card, and approved crew storage.
Backup plan:
If the subject, location, schedule, or equipment changes, stop and bring the revised plan to Mr. Oxford for approval.
Before the final mission
Review the Plan
Before you complete the practice check-in, review whether the five planning areas agree.
- The story is clear and feasible.
- The crew and roles are assigned.
- Talent is willing, available, and approved.
- Classroom and location responses are recorded.
- The schedule is confirmed.
- Questions, script, and shots are approved.
- Equipment and storage are ready.
- A backup plan exists.
Final mission · 8 points
Fall Dance Haunted House
Complete the eight-part practice Pre-Production Check-In using Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment. This fictional practice does not authorize a production.
The showrunner saves a Draft or submits the completed check-in.
Check the current teacher decision and complete the next required action.
Results · Support · Credits
Results and Support
Complete the eight-part practice Check-In to generate your score and section-specific feedback.
—/8
Awaiting assessment
Your practice check-in score will appear here.
Section-specific remediation
- Complete the final mission to see targeted feedback for Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment.
Need help?
You may return to any page and review the information again.
If a button, image, direction, or activity is difficult to access, stop and tell Mr. Oxford. Teacher-supported completion is available when needed.
Questions about:
- Story or crew planning
- Classroom or location requests
- Privacy or permissions
- Equipment or storage
- Production changes
should be brought to Mr. Oxford before the crew proceeds.
Use the real form
Use the real Pre-Production Check-In with Mr. Oxford when your crew is ready to plan a production.
This lesson stores no live production record, private contact information, permission record, or student record.
Credits and sources
Instructional content, classroom workflow, and module design: Ryan Oxford, 2026
OPA TV branding and instructional graphics: Ryan Oxford
Oxford, R. (2026). OPA TV Production Workflow Contract [Unpublished classroom workflow].
Western Governors University. (n.d.). E-learning experience quality standards rubric.