Structural Features Content Analysis Project
DATE: August 18, 1997

CODING MANUAL: PROGRAM VARIABLES

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Identify program(s) to code by consulting either the list of Reliability Programs or the list of Individual Coder Programs. Follow the instructions on that list. If you have questions, contact Cheryl.
  2. Take the tape to the graduate editing room (first floor Annenberg -- the access code is 125).
  3. Choose a VCR/monitor based on the following list of priority (i.e., use the first VCR/monitor on this list that is not already being used):

    Bench 3 - Right monitor
    Bench 1 - Left monitor
    Bench 1 - Right monitor
    Bench 4 - Left monitor
    Bench 4 - Right monitor
    Bench 6 - Left monitor
    Bench 6 - Right monitor
    Bench 5 - Left monitor
    Bench 5 - Right monitor
    Bench 3 - Left monitor [as of July 1997 this deck is allowing the tape to "slip"; do not use it]
    It may be necessary to reserve VCR/monitor(s) for the time you will be using them. There is a reservation sheet posted outside of the room.
  4. Turn on the monitor and the VCR. Before inserting the tape into the machine, copy from the tape label the information requested at the beginning of the coding sheet.
  5. Insert the tape into the machine and move to the point in the tape at which the program begins.
  6. Make sure you are familiar with all of the Guidelines for Using the Video Equipment, General Rules, and Glossary of Selected Terms listed below and the complete Glossary (a separate document). Reread them as necessary.
  7. Complete the coding sheet CAREFULLY; read and reread the DEFINITIONS and NOTES in this coding manual for each question as you code. If you have questions contact Jennifer.

GUIDELINES FOR USING VIDEO EQUIPMENT:

  1. Remove or reapply labels that are falling off of tapes, as they may damage the tape player.
  2. The "Reset" button is on the upper left or upper right corner of the machine. Use this button when the coding sheet instructs you to set the counter to zero.
  3. Do not keep one image paused on the screen longer than necessary. If the machine is kept in pause mode for a certain amount of time, it will stop automatically to avoid excess wear on the tape, and you will risk losing the exact starting point for coding.
  4. Use the knob to "jog" and "shuttle" through the tape. DO NOT USE THE "FAST-FORWARD" OR "REWIND" BUTTONS unless you are finished coding. These functions are more likely to strain the tape and cause "slippage" in the time-counter. Also use "Pause" rather than "Stop" -- again, this lessens the risk of straining the tape and of losing the exact starting point.
  5. Avoid switching directions (forward to reverse) suddenly or repeatedly switching from "jog" to "shuttle" modes.
  6. As you move slowly through the tape, you will notice horizontal lines that serve as dividers between frames. Keep in mind that a frame is complete only when those dividers are not visible. When looking for a complete frame, move the knob slightly forward or back until the divider disappears.

GENERAL RULES [READ AND REREAD THESE OFTEN!!!]

  1. If you can not easily decide how to code something, first reread all of the relevant DEFINITIONS and NOTES in the coding manual, then reread these General Rules to see if one or more of them applies. If you still can not easily decide how to code, CONTACT JENNIFER SNYDER AND DESCRIBE THE GENERAL PROBLEM - DO NOT DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM; DO NOT CONSULT ANY OTHER CODER(S). If you can not reach JENNIFER, write a complete description of the problem/issue and staple it to the back of the coding sheet. Note the problem on the appropriate space of the coding sheet.
  2. A formal feature (including a credit, graphic, id logo, program segment, etc.) begins with the first frame in which the feature appears in a complete, "normal," "faded in" image and ends with the last frame in which the feature appears in a complete, "normal," "not faded out" image. Unless specifically instructed to do so, DO NOT CODE VARIABLES THAT OCCUR IN TRANSITIONS between one image and another or an image and a blank screen - instead move the tape forward past the transition.
  3. DO NOT reset the timer to zero unless the coding sheet specifically instructs you to do so.
  4. All audio/video content is either PROGRAM or PROGRAM INTERRUPTION. All PROGRAM content is ACTION unless it is one of the following: BEGINNING PROGRAM THEME or MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM-RELATED ELEMENTS (which are defined specifically in variable 3 below). If you cannot determine how program audio/video content should be classified, consider it to be program ACTION.
  5. DO NOT use audio to determine beginning and ending points for variables that involve durations - use only the video image.
  6. For all program coding variables the content being coded must be at least 1 full second (30 frames) in duration. This means that a credit, credit sequence, action before/after a credit sequence, theme, music, program interruption, MPRE, etc. must be at least one second long.
  7. For variables in which hours, minutes, and seconds, but not frames are requested, round to the nearest second: if the frame number is 15 or above, round up to the next second; if the frame number is 14 or below, round down to the previous second.
  8. ALL elements of a program or program segment must be interrupted ("go away") in order to code a program interruption or end of program segment as having occurred (i.e., that a new segment has begun).
  9. Content that is animated should be coded just as live action content is. For example, camera movement, camera shot length, music, special effects, sound effects, etc. all can exist in animation, even if they are created in a different way. Therefore, all general rules and notes that apply to live action also apply to animation.
  10. If there are two or more separate pictures (simultaneous video pictures) on the screen, code variables in the individual pictures unless a response option "Simultaneous video pictures" is offered or the definitions and notes for the variable instruct otherwise.
  11. If the screen contains only ONE picture and it does not occupy the entire screen, code occurrences within that picture.
    Images can naturally contain other images (as when a television is shown in the background) -- these background images should not be considered separately.
    In cases where two pictures appear in the same space on the screen (e.g., in music video when two different views of an artist are shown, overlapping each other), if one of the pictures appears to be dominant, code only that picture. If neither picture is dominant, DO NOT consider changes in the individual pictures to apply to the overall image.
  12. For transitions other than cuts (e.g., fades, dissolves, wipes, etc.) consider the end of the first shot to be the last frame during which a completely unchanged, normal image appears; the next shot begins on the first frame during which all indications of the transition are gone and a normal image appears; all frames between these two constitute the duration of the transition.
    Unless specifically instructed to do so, DO NOT code variables for images during these transitions.

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS [READ AND REREAD THESE OFTEN!!!]

Frame - an individual photograph on a video tape; when a tape is played at normal speed 30 frames are shown in rapid succession during every second, creating the illusion of motion.
Image - the contents of the entire viewing screen.
Picture - a self-contained, bordered representation of objects, entities, etc.; there may be more than one picture in a given image.
Program - traditional unit of television content; typically 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes in length.
Program interruption - one or more non-program segments shown during the airing of a program (e.g., a break that contains commercials and station identification).
Response option - a specific value among a set of exhaustive and mutually exclusive values that the coder selects when coding a variable by placing an "x" or a number in the appropriate space on the coding sheet.
Screen - the physical border that encloses the image on a television set.
Segment - uninterrupted portion of one programming element (e.g., advertisement, promotional announcement, public service announcement, station identification, unscheduled news bulletins, etc.).
Variable - an operationalization of a concept that varies, with an exhaustive and mutually exclusive set of values represented by response options. Also referred to as "item" or "question".

CODING SHEET 1:
PROGRAM VARIABLES

Date of coding: ______________

Name of coder:_______________________________ Date of entry: ______________

NOTE: Code each complete program

__________________________________________________________________________
Sampling information [Copy from tape label]

PRoGRaM#: __ __ __ TAPE#: __ __ __ __

Recorded on: MOnth: __ __ DaTe: __ __ YeaR: 9 5

DAY of week:
_____ [1] Sunday
_____ [2] Monday
_____ [3] Tuesday
_____ [4] Wednesday
_____ [5] Thursday
_____ [6] Friday
_____ [7] Saturday

Time: HOUR: __ __ AM / PM (circle one)

CHANNEL: _________

PRoGraM STart time: Hours: __ __ Minutes: __ __ AM / PM (circle one)
[DEFINITION: This refers to the time the broadcast began, NOT minutes into the 2 hour tape on which the program was recorded]

__________________________________________________________________________

1. Duration of program?
_____ [1] 30 minutes
_____ [2] One hour
_____ [3] 90 minutes
_____ [4] Two hours
_____ [5] Other (How long in minutes? __ __ __)

FULL QUESTION:
What is the duration of the program?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Program - traditional unit of television content; typically 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes in length

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

2. Genre of program?

Comedy
 _____ [01] Situation comedy (Title:___________________________________________)
_____ [02] Other (Describe/Title:____________________________________________)

Drama
 _____ [03] Medical drama (Title:_____________________________________________)
_____ [04] Crime/legal/mystery drama (Title:____________________________________)
_____ [05] Science fiction/fantasy/horror (Title:__________________________________)
_____ [06] Other (Describe/Title:____________________________________________)

Serial
 _____ [07] Daytime soap opera (Title:__________________________________________)
_____ [08] Prime time soap opera (Title:________________________________________)

Movie
 _____ [09] TV movie (Title:_________________________________________________)
_____ [10] Theatrical film (Title:______________________________________________)

Informational/educational
 _____ [11] Local news (Title:________________________________________________)
_____ [12] National/international news (Title:____________________________________)
_____ [13] Documentary (Title:______________________________________________)
_____ [14] Magazine (Title:_________________________________________________)
_____ [15] Reality program (Title:____________________________________________)
_____ [16] Instructional program (adults) (Title:__________________________________)
_____ [17] Other (Describe/Title:_____________________________________________)

Talk
 _____ [18] Celebrity talk (Title:_____________________________________________)
_____ [19] Political talk/commentary/interview (Title:_____________________________)
_____ [20] Theme/topic show (Title:_________________________________________)

Promotional
 _____ [21] Infomercial (Product:____________________________________________)

Miscellaneous
 _____ [22] Live action children's educational program
(Title:____________________________________________________)
_____ [23] Animated children's educational program
(Title:____________________________________________________)
_____ [24] Live action NONeducational children's program (Title:_____________________________________________________)
_____ [25] Animated NONeducational children's program
(Title:_____________________________________________________)
_____ [26] Game show (Title:_______________________________________________)
_____ [27] Sports event (Title:______________________________________________)
_____ [28] Music video program (Title:________________________________________)
_____ [29] Other (Describe/title:_____________________________________________)

FULL QUESTION:
What is the genre of the segment?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:

Comedy

[01] Situation comedy - actors portray characters, usually a family. Has a regular cast. (e.g., Full House, All in the Family, Seinfeld)

[02] Other - including sketch comedy, standup comedy, political comedy, etc. (e.g., Mad TV, Saturday Night Live, At the Improv, comedy shorts such as Our Gang and Three Stooges)

Drama

[03] Medical drama - dramatic story in medical setting (e.g., ER, Chicago Hope)

[04] Crime/legal/mystery drama - dramatic story in criminal and criminal justice setting, including pursuit, capture, punishment of criminals (e.g., Law & Order, Matlock, Murder She Wrote, Columbo)

[05] Science fiction/fantasy/horror - dramatic story in "fantastic" setting (e.g., Star Trek, Liquid TV, Hercules, Tales of the Crypt)

[06] Other - including family drama (e.g., Little House, Dr. Quinn, Touched by an Angel) and westerns

Serial

[07] Daytime soap opera - daily serial drama airing in morning or afternoon (e.g., All My Children)

[08] Prime time soap opera - weekly serial drama known specifically as a "prime-time soap" (i.e., not just any drama that continues its storylines from week to week like NYPD Blue) (e.g., Dallas, Dynasty, Melrose Place, Central Park West, Knot's Landing, Falcon Crest)

Movie

[09] TV movie - a film made specifically to be shown on television, with pauses pre-designed for placement of commercials; do not count a special 2-hour "movie" episode of a regular series (e.g., "In a special 2-hour Matlock movie..." in this category.

[10] Theatrical film - a film made specifically to be shown in movie theaters, with no pauses pre-designed for commercials (e.g., Die Hard, In the Line of Fire)

Informational/educational

[11] Local news - regularly scheduled broadcast, typically live, of news gathered from various sources and presented by local station (e.g., Action News, Channel 10 News).

[12] National/international news - regularly scheduled broadcast, typically live, of news gathered from various sources and presented by national (e.g., NBC, CBS) or international (e.g., CNN) news organizations.

[13] Documentary - one topic examined, often concerning history or nature (e.g., Nature, The World at War)

[14] Magazine - multiple long form (5 or more minute) stories, either tabloid or traditional formats (e.g., Hard Copy, 60 Minutes, 20/20, 48 Hours). NOTE that magazine programs may seem similar to talk programs, but magazine programs typically (but not always) go out of the studio for a story, do not feature an audience, and do not have guests who come to the studio.

[15] Reality program - typically use cinema verite to capture or re-create real-life situations, often without a regular cast (e.g., Cops, 911, Stories of the Highway Patrol, The Real World)

[16] Instructional program (adults) - programs that offer the viewer a step by step explanation of an activity or task (e.g., This Old House, Julia Childs, Graham Kerr, ESPN exercise shows).

[17] Other - programs that don't fit in any one of the other categories (e.g., Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News, Extra). This option includes news programs with stories too short to be a magazine program but on a specific type of story such as entertainment news (Entertainment Tonight, Showbiz Today) or sports news (ESPN Sportscenter).

Talk

[NOTE that talk programs may seem similar to news magazine programs, but talk programs typically (but not always) stay in the studio for a story, feature an audience, and have guests who come to the studio.]

[18] Celebrity talk - a program that features a regular host or hosts with guest(s) that are primarily entertainment and sports personalities, does not have a unifying theme throughout a particular episode. (e.g., The Tonight Show, The Late Show, The Late, Late Show, Regis & Kathie Lee, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)

[19] Political talk/commentary/interview - conversations that usually deal with political topics where the guest(s) and his/her expertise are the focus (e.g., This Week with David Brinkley, Face the Nation, Meet the Press, Larry King, Charlie Rose)

[20] Theme/topic show - a program that is centered around a particular issue where the guests are brought in to facilitate the discussion, the host serves to stimulate discussion and/or moderate between the guest(s) and the audience (e.g., Montel, Oprah, Donohue, Rolanda, Jenny Jones, Sally J. Raphael, Geraldo)

Promotional

[21] Infomercial - an advertisement that is longer than traditional commercials (usually 30 minutes) and uses techniques to appear to be a genre other that an advertisement, such as a talk show (e.g., exercise, makeup, hair loss, etc. on cable)

Miscellaneous

[22] Live action children's educational program - program designed primarily to teach children; contains specific provision of information, knowledge, facts, advice, etc. aimed at children; live action only (e.g., Sesame Street, Barney, Mr. Rogers, 3-2-1 Contact, Electric Company). This option does NOT include programs that happen to contain moral messages but are not specifically designed to teach children specific things (e.g., most situation comedies contain messages such as "Respect your parents" and "Be honest," and "Captain Planet" shows superheroes who fight pollution, etc., but these are designed more to entertain than to be educational).

[23] Animated children's educational program - program designed primarily to teach children; contains specific provision of information, knowledge, facts, advice, etc. aimed at children; animated or primarily animated only (e.g., Richard Scary's Storybook/Storytown). This option does NOT include programs that happen to contain moral messages but are not specifically designed to teach children specific things (e.g., most situation comedies contain messages such as "Respect your parents" and "Be honest," and "Captain Planet" shows superheroes who fight pollution, etc., but these are designed more to entertain than to be educational).

[24] Live action NONeducational children's program - program designed primarily to entertain children; live action only (e.g., Power Rangers, The Muppets, Clarissa Explains It All, Are You Afraid of the Dark?)

[25] Animated NONeducational children's program - program designed primarily to entertain children; animated or primarily animated only (e.g., X-Men, Rugrats, Scooby Doo, Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, Loony Toons, Tiny Toons)

[26] Game show - features contestants who participate in an activity with pre-determined rules in order to win prizes (e.g., Jeopardy, Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune)

[27] Sports - broadcast of a sporting event; this includes any kind of athletic competition (including programs like "American Gladiators", etc.). This option includes only sports events, NOT sports news programs.

[28] Music video program - a collection of videos showed under a program title showed in 30 minutes increments usually has a V. J. (e.g., Big 80s, 8-Track flashback, Video P.M., Alternative Nation, 120 Minutes, Yo! MTV raps)

[29] Other - programs that don't fit in any one of the other categories (e.g., breaking news, awards shows, beauty pageants, variety programs, etc.)

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

Go to exact beginning point of program. NOTE: The beginning of a program is the first frame that involves the specific program.
Set timer to zero.

___________________________________________________________________________

3. Number of miscellaneous program-related elements at beginning of program?
_____ [x] elements

FULL QUESTION:
How many miscellaneous program-related elements are there at the beginning of the program?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Miscellaneous program-related elements (beginning of program) - elements that (1) come before the first frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action that occurs before any beginning credit or credits in the program, (2) are distinct and separate from theme and action in that BOTH audio and video change completely when the element begins and BOTH audio and video change completely when the element ends (with the exception of silence-to-silence; see the Note below), and (3) fit into one or more of the following categories:

i. Text and/or audio messages that indicate program sponsors, the nature of the content (e.g., warnings of violence or nudity) of the program, "presented by" messages, or a dedication.

ii. Production company information (related only to the current program) presented through use of text and/or graphics, and in most cases audio (see Note below).

iii. Contact instructions for program-related information, transcripts, or tickets.

iv. Program bumper - a very short segment that identifies ONLY the program in progress and provides a buffer between a program segment and commercials or other types of program interruptions (e.g., after each 5-7 minute segment of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a program bumper is shown containing the blue logo for the program on a star-filled background with the signature orchestral melody of the show). A program bumper can not identify any program or set of programs other than the specific program in progress.

All three criteria above MUST be met in order to code any portion of program content as a miscellaneous program-related element.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

4. Beginning credits sequence?
_____ [0] No [SKIP to 5]
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does the program contain a beginning credits sequence?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Credit - a text message that specifically identifies an individual or company and their role in creating the program, including actor(s), host(s), guest(s), producer(s), director(s), writer(s), caterer(s), key grip(s), chauffeur(s), hair stylist(s), etc. (e.g., "Produced by Joe Smith"). The title of a program/series or the title of a specific episode of a program/series should also be considered credits.

Credits sequence - a series (two or more) of different credits, either in the same image or a series of images.

Beginning credits sequence - credits sequence that appears at or near the beginning of a program, including credits during a program theme.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

4a. FOR BEGINNING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Duration?

Credits begin: __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program
Credits end: __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
What is the exact duration of the beginning credit sequence?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Duration of beginning credit sequence - the amount of time between and including the first image that contains ANY PART of a faded-in credit and the last image that contains ANY PART of a not faded-out credit.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

4b. FOR BEGINNING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Any credit in credit sequence during simultaneous audio and moving video action?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does any of the credit sequence appear while there is also simultaneous audio and moving video action?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Action - portrayal of events or activities that are part of the program and are NOT part of the beginning theme or miscellaneous program-related elements.

Simultaneous audio and moving video action - action during which there are no still images and the audio track is not completely silent.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

4c. FOR BEGINNING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Any action before credit sequence begins?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does any action take place BEFORE the beginning credit sequence begins?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Action before beginning credit sequence - portrayal of events or activities that are part of the program and are NOT part of the beginning theme or miscellaneous program-related elements AND that appear before any credits appear.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

4d. FOR BEGINNING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Program interruption during beginning credits?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Is there a program interruption during the beginning credit sequence?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Program interruption - one or more non-program segments are shown during the airing of a program (e.g., a break that contains commercials and station identification).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

5. Beginning program theme?
_____ [0] No [SKIP to 6]
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Is there a program theme at the beginning of the program?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Beginning program theme - a sequence of images that 1) contains at least some audio and video that occur at the same time, 2) has the SOLE purpose of introducing the program, 3) contains an audio or text presentation of the program's title, 3) contains at least some music, 4) does NOT contain multiple segments - i.e., both the sound and the picture cannot change completely at the same time within a theme, they can only change completely at the same time at the very beginning and at the very end of the theme (although a theme does not have to begin or end this way). Content that previews what will occur during the program that is beginning can NOT be coded as a theme, even if it contains music and the program's title and does not contain a complete change of audio and video at the same time. (All of the Star Trek series, Picket Fences, Grace Under Fire, and many other prime-time programs have beginning themes; most news programs do as well.)

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

5a. FOR ANY BEGINNING PROGRAM THEME: Duration?

Program theme begins: __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program
Program theme ends: __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
What is the exact duration of the beginning program theme?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Duration of beginning program theme - the amount of time between and including the start of the simultaneous audio and video components of the theme and the end of the simultaneous audio and video components of the theme.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

5b. FOR ANY PROGRAM THEME: Theme audio and video start or end more than 2 seconds apart?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Do the audio component and the video component of the theme either start or end more than 2 seconds apart?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Audio and video components of theme - the sounds and pictures that occur simultaneously during the theme (as defined in variable 5). Although the theme itself consists of these sounds and pictures, the sounds may begin before or after the pictures begin, and the sounds may end before or after the pictures end (e.g., in "Murphy Brown" the theme's pictures end before the theme's sounds, which extend over the beginning of the program action).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

6. How many program interruptions, and how many segments during each interruption?

Program
Inter-
ruption		 Program
Inter-
ruption
1. __ __ segments 11. __ __ segments
2. __ __ segments 12. __ __ segments
3. __ __ segments 13. __ __ segments
4. __ __ segments 14. __ __ segments
5. __ __ segments 15. __ __ segments
6. __ __ segments 16. __ __ segments
7. __ __ segments 17. __ __ segments
8. __ __ segments 18. __ __ segments
9. __ __ segments 19. __ __ segments
10. __ __ segments 20. __ __ segments

FULL QUESTION:
For each interruption of program content how many separate segments are there during the interruption?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES
Segment - uninterrupted portion of one programming element (e.g., advertisement, promotional announcement, public service announcement, station identification, unscheduled news bulletins, etc.).

Program interruption - one or more non-program segments are shown during the airing of a program (e.g., a break that contains commercials and station identification).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

Go to the last frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action that occurs in the program prior to any ending credit(s).

ALL VARIABLES FROM THIS POINT to the end of the Coding Sheet concern only program audio and video that occur after this frame.

___________________________________________________________________________

7. Location of last simultaneous audio and moving video action before any ending credit or credits?

__ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
What is the location in hours, minutes, and seconds, of the last simultaneous audio and moving video action in the program that occurs prior to any ending credit or credits?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Action - portrayal of events or activities that are part of the program itself and are NOT part of the theme or miscellaneous program-related elements.

Audio action - sound that represents program content (this may include music, dialogue, or both).

Moving video action - a series of changing images that represent program content (this includes sequences that contain special effects but not still images or freeze frames). Remember moving video action can be very subtle: If ANYTHING in the image other than the appearance and disappearance of text changes, there is moving video action.

Simultaneous audio and moving video action - action during which there are no still images and the audio track is not completely silent.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8. Ending credits sequence?
_____ [0] No [SKIP to 9]
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does the program contain an ending credits sequence?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Credit - a text message that specifically identifies an individual or company and their role in creating the program, including actor(s), host(s), guest(s), producer(s), director(s), writer(s), caterer(s), key grip(s), chauffeur(s), hair stylist(s), etc. (e.g., "Produced by Joe Smith"). The title of a program/series or the title of a specific episode of a program/series should also be considered credits.

Credits sequence - a series (two or more) of different credits, either in the same image or a series of images.

Ending credits sequence - credits sequence that appears at or near the end of a program.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8a. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Duration?

Credits begin: __ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program
Credits end: __ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
What is the exact duration of the ending credits sequence?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Duration of ending credit sequence - the amount of time between and including the first image that contains ANY PART of a credit and the last image that contains ANY PART of a credit.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8b. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Any credit in credit sequence during simultaneous audio and moving video action?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does any of the credit sequence appear while there is also simultaneous audio and moving video action?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Action - portrayal of events or activities that are part of the program and are NOT part of the beginning theme or miscellaneous program-related elements.

Simultaneous audio and moving video action - action during which there are no still images and the audio track is not completely silent.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8c. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Any action after credit sequence ends?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Does any action take place AFTER the ending credit sequence ends?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Action after credits - portrayal of events or activities that are part of the program and are NOT part of the beginning theme or miscellaneous program-related elements AND that appear after all credits appear.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8d. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Program interruption during ending credit sequence?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Is there a program interruption after the ending credits begin and before they end?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Program interruption - one or more non-program segments are shown during the airing of a program (e.g., a break that contains commercials and station identification).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8e. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Simultaneous video pictures during ending credits?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes, simultaneous RELATED video pictures
_____ [2] Yes, simultaneous UNRELATED video pictures

FULL QUESTION:
Are there simultaneous video pictures during the ending credits?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Simultaneous video pictures-- an image that contains more than one picture.

RELATED video pictures - pictures that logically go together based on content because they both (all) relate to the specific program or segment in progress (e.g., split screen in which people in different cities appear next to each other; split screen in which ending credits for a program appear next to final program action, such as Frasier).

UNRELATED video pictures - pictures that logically do NOT go together based on content because they both (all) do not relate to the specific program or segment in progress (e.g., split screen in which credits for one program appear next to image of anchorperson previewing upcoming news; ESPN sports update containing scores of other games appears in part of the screen while the game being broadcast continues in the other part of the screen).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

8f. FOR ENDING CREDITS SEQUENCE PRESENT: Unrelated audio and video during ending credits?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes, talking over ending credits
_____ [2] Yes, other (Describe:_______________________________________________________________)

FULL QUESTION:
Are there unrelated audio and video during the ending credits?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Unrelated audio and video - sound (usually talk) that is presented during the ending credits but is not logically connected to the program.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

9. Music at the end of the program?
_____ [0] No [SKIP to 10]
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
After the last frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action before any ending credit or credits, is there music present during program content?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Music - vocal or instrumental sounds that have rhythm, melody, OR harmony. A single instrumental tone also is considered music.

Music at the end of the program - music that is present after the last frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action that occurs before any ending credit or credits (i.e., the frame identified in variable 7) and that is NOT during a program interruption or a miscellaneous program-related element.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

9a. FOR MUSIC PRESENT AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM: Duration?

Music begins: __ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program
Music ends: __ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
What is the exact duration of the music at the end of the program?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Duration of music at the end of the program - the amount of time between and including 1) the first frame after the last frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action that occurs before any ending credit or credits (i.e., the frame identified in variable 7), and 2) the last frame in the program during which music can be heard. Neither the starting or ending frame of music can be during a program interruption or a miscellaneous program-related element.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

9b. FOR MUSIC PRESENT AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM: Program interruption during the music at the end of the program?
_____ [0] No
_____ [1] Yes

FULL QUESTION:
Is there a program interruption after the ending music begins and before it ends?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Program interruption - one or more non-program segments are shown during the airing of a program (e.g., a break that contains commercials and station identification).

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

10. Number of miscellaneous program-related elements at end of program?
_____ [x] elements

FULL QUESTION:
How many miscellaneous program-related elements are there between the end of the simultaneous audio and moving video action and the very end of the program?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Miscellaneous program-related elements (end of program) - elements that (1) come after the last frame of simultaneous audio and moving video action that occurs before any ending credit or credits (i.e., the frame identified in variable 7), (2) are distinct and separate from theme and action in that BOTH audio and video change completely when the element begins and BOTH audio and video change completely when the element ends (with the exception of silence-to-silence; see the Note below), and (3) fit into one or more of the following categories:

i. Text or audio messages that indicate program sponsors, the nature of the content (e.g., warnings of violence or nudity) of the program, "presented by" messages, or a dedication.

ii. Production company information (related only to the current program) presented through use of text or graphics, and in most cases audio (see Note below).

iii. Contact instructions for program-related information, transcripts, or tickets.

iv. Program bumper - a very short segment that identifies the program in progress and provides a buffer between a program segment and commercials or other types of program interruptions (e.g., after each 5-7 minute segment of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a program bumper is shown containing the blue logo for the program on a star-filled background with the signature orchestral melody of the show).

All three criteria above MUST be met in order to code any portion of program content as a miscellaneous program-related element.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

11. End of program?

Program end: __ __ hours __ __ minutes __ __ seconds into program

FULL QUESTION:
At what point does program end?

DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
End of program - the last normal (not "faded out") frame in which there is a "normal," "not faded out" image related to the program.

NOTES:

___________________________________________________________________________

END OF PROGRAM CODING SHEET