Showrunner
Leads the episode, maintains the production record, coordinates the crew, and brings approvals or changes to Mr. Oxford.
Mission
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OPA TV Foundations · 25–30 minutes
Pictures Up
Build a production plan that is ready for Mr. Oxford to review.
An episode begins with a plan—not a camera. In this lesson, you will guide Crew Blue through a realistic Fall Dance assignment before any contact, filming, or equipment checkout can happen.
Your mission
Given a school-event scenario, complete a usable, de-identified Pre-Production Check-In and identify the next action the crew is allowed to take.
The greenlight path
Approval is not permission to film
Explore the checkpoints in order. Each checkpoint authorizes one limited next action.
Draft
The crew is still planning.
A draft may be incomplete. It grants no permission to contact people, film, or check out equipment.
Producer rule
Approved is not Ready to Film. Ready to Contact is not permission to record.
The Pre-Production Check-In
Five planning areas
The form and this lesson use the same structure. Select an area to see the question it must answer.
Story
What are we asking the audience to understand?
Record the purpose, audience, story angle, interview questions or script, required shots, supporting shots, opening, closing, and contingency.
Produces A story-ready pitch and usable recording plan
These are planning sections—not five separate approvals. One complete check-in becomes one production record.
Planning area 01 · Story
Build a story angle
Use three questions to turn an assigned event into a recordable story.
Pitch component
ASB transforms an empty build area into the Fall Dance haunted-house experience.
Why it works
This gives the story a clear point instead of simply naming the event.
Completed pitch
Show how ASB transforms an empty build area into the Fall Dance haunted-house experience through the perspective of ASB student builders, using student interviews and construction B-roll.
Formative check 1 of 3 · Story
Choose the story-ready pitch
Select the pitch that includes an audience takeaway, a useful perspective, and evidence to record.
Planning area 02 · Crew
Assign ownership before equipment
Every role must be assigned to a trained student. One designated showrunner maintains the plan and brings every decision to Mr. Oxford.
Writer / Producer
Develops the angle, rundown, script, interview questions, opening, closing, and shot priorities.
Camera / Audio
Plans the required coverage, operates only approved equipment, protects recorded media, and reports technical problems.
On-Air Talent
Prepares copy and interviews, represents OPA professionally, checks names and facts, and follows the approved plan.
Editor
Organizes footage, builds the story, checks pacing and sound, adds titles and captions, and prepares the review cut.
Crew gate
Being assigned is not enough. Students must complete the training required for their production role.
Planning area 03 · Talent
Request a student professionally
Talent includes anyone interviewed or appearing on camera. The showrunner owns the request trail.
Confirm
Confirm the proposed student is willing and available.
Draft
Name the student, period, day, time needed, and responsibility for missed work.
Preapprove
Bring the draft to Mr. Oxford before contacting the classroom teacher.
Send
Send the approved request at least three school days before filming unless Mr. Oxford changes the timeline.
Record
The teacher replies by email or gives Mr. Oxford verbal approval.
Planning area 04 · Locations
Ask the adult who controls the space
A location request must identify the purpose, date, time, place, expected length, and exact action being requested.
A complete location request states
purpose · date · time · location · expected length · requested action
Formative check 2 of 3 · Clearance
Make the producer call
Choose the one action Crew Blue is currently allowed to take.
Planning area 05 · Equipment
The plan unlocks the preflight
The Equipment section records the requested kit, checkout and return times, storage plan, backup plan, and recording limits. It does not check out a camera.
Checkout gate
All four must be true
- Pitch status is Approved.
- Checkpoint is Ready to Film.
- Production is not on Hold.
- Borrower is part of the approved crew.
Before the kit leaves
Equipment preflight
- Kit is complete and working.
- Main and spare batteries are charged.
- Memory card has usable recording space.
- Lens is clean.
- File storage and backup are ready.
- Any issue is reported before checkout.
Stop rule
A failed checkpoint stops checkout until Mr. Oxford approves the next action.
Formative check 3 of 3 · Equipment
Inspect the kit
Select every item that must be corrected before the camera kit is ready.
Summative assessment · Fall Dance
Your crew has the assignment
Complete all eight sections of the practice Pre-Production Check-In.
Crew Blue · Haunted House
Show how ASB transforms an empty build area into the Fall Dance experience.
The crew wants to interview an ASB student during class and record construction B-roll. The student is willing, but no request has been sent, no location authority has responded, and no interview questions have been submitted.
1 Story identity2 Purpose3 Schedule4 Crew5 Talent6 Location7 Story materials8 Producer call
Summative assessment · 8 points
Crew Blue Pre-Production Check-In
Answer every section. You may review the lesson from the course map before submitting.
Results · Transfer · Support
Your producer report
Submit the practice Check-In to generate section-level feedback.
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Awaiting assessment
Your answers and revision notes will appear here.
Section report
- Complete the eight-part check-in to see targeted feedback.
When you use the real system
Check the current decision.
Your next move is never automatically “start filming.” Open the live production record, read the teacher’s decision and current checkpoint, and complete only the authorized action.
Help and access
Stop and ask.
Bring workflow questions, refusals, changes, or equipment issues to Mr. Oxford. For technical help, reopen the Canvas lesson or contact the instructor. Use Tab, Enter, and Space for keyboard navigation.
Lesson sources
Built from the real workflow.
Oxford, R. (2026). OPA TV Production Workflow Contract [Unpublished classroom workflow].
Western Governors University. (n.d.). E-learning experience quality standards rubric.
Remember
Completing this lesson does not submit a live record or authorize contact, filming, equipment checkout, review, or release.