Showrunner
Leads the episode, maintains the production record, coordinates the crew, and brings approvals or changes to Mr. Oxford.
Get the Green Light
Pre-Production Check-In
Overview
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OPA TV Foundations · 25–30 minutes
Get the
Green Light
Build a production plan that is ready for Mr. Oxford to review.
An episode begins with a plan—not a camera. First, learn the five parts of a complete OPA TV Pre-Production Check-In. Then use them together in the final assessment.
You will learn
How Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment work together in one complete production plan.
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
Learn each area separately. In the final assessment, you will combine all five into one complete production plan.
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.
Knowledge 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
Knowledge check 2 of 3 · Talent + Locations
Make the producer call
Choose the one action Crew Blue is currently allowed to take.
Planning area 05 · Equipment
Plan the kit, storage, and backup
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.
Equipment request
Record the complete plan
- Camera kit and special items needed.
- Trained student responsible for the kit.
- Expected checkout and return times.
- File-storage and backup plan.
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
If any equipment check fails, stop and bring the issue to Mr. Oxford before the kit leaves the room.
Knowledge check 3 of 3 · Equipment
Inspect the kit
Select every item that must be corrected before the camera kit is ready.
Final mission · Fall Dance
Get Crew Blue ready for a greenlight
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 Final production check
Final mission · 8 points
Crew Blue Pre-Production Check-In
Answer every section using what you learned about Story, Crew, Talent, Locations, and Equipment.
Results · Transfer · Support
Your producer report
Submit the practice Check-In to generate section-level feedback.
—/8
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
Submit the complete plan.
In the real system, complete all five planning areas and submit the Check-In to Mr. Oxford. The crew follows the exact plan he greenlights.
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
This final mission is practice. A real production begins only after the completed Check-In receives Mr. Oxford’s greenlight.