Tuesday 15 December 2009
Pre-Production Role.
Throughout the pre-production, I was assigned the role of content producer which meant overlooking the rest of my group’s roles and ensuring everything falls in place, as well as contribute partly to all jobs. Unfortunately, some of my groups members were frequently ill, but I am in no position to complain as I missed a few sessions also, however, despite this our job was fulfilled and went as planned. My group was assigned to produce the television round for the live quiz show. In order to fulfil this role, we gathered various nostalgic clips and images as well as recent headliners which we knew would be interpreted well by the general public. My group and I had managed to find some mp3 inserts and some images, some of which were edited by Llawen, who was in charge of Post Production.
Studio Equipment.
Flood Lights are necessary to provide strong, consistent lighting for the set, which is vital in order to achieve a clear, visible contrast for viewers. These lights however, are difficult to control as they act as somewhat of a big brother for the smaller, more specific soft and fill lights.
Soft Lights & Fill Lights are very energy efficient due to the ease of powering them. These lights also come equipped with “Barn doors” which act as shutters either side of the light which ensures ease of control when trying to focus the direction of the light.
Lighting Panels are necessary in order to focus the brightness of each light, lighting panels have an on screen guidance programme with faders to ensure the perfect level of brightness is focused on the set.
Dimmer Packs are vital as they ensure the outgoing power to the lighting as well as the control of voltage and watts powering each light.
Tally Lights inform the set of which camera is live. The tally light is a small red light which appears above the lens which helps the shows talent and the director which cameras view is feeding live.
Curtain Track is what circles around the set in the form of a metal rail which holds up a large black curtain, giving the set a simple background whilst also being cost and time efficient.
Stob Box is a piece of equipment which ensures connectivity between cameras and microphones the audio and visual panels in the control room, preventing needless space being taken up by loose and countless cables.
The Floor Monitor is a large screen which, during the groups live television production was behind the talent, portraying the live feed from each significant camera, informing the set of what is seen on the live feed by viewers.
The Audio Desk is located in the control room and monitors, edits and controls the level of distortion, volume and level of outgoing sound from the set. The audio desk is vital to the success of the production because it controls what the viewers hear.
The Camera Pedestal is what is necessary for a camera to have vertical movement, helping to achieve a clearer, better shot.
Soft Lights & Fill Lights are very energy efficient due to the ease of powering them. These lights also come equipped with “Barn doors” which act as shutters either side of the light which ensures ease of control when trying to focus the direction of the light.
Lighting Panels are necessary in order to focus the brightness of each light, lighting panels have an on screen guidance programme with faders to ensure the perfect level of brightness is focused on the set.
Dimmer Packs are vital as they ensure the outgoing power to the lighting as well as the control of voltage and watts powering each light.
Tally Lights inform the set of which camera is live. The tally light is a small red light which appears above the lens which helps the shows talent and the director which cameras view is feeding live.
Curtain Track is what circles around the set in the form of a metal rail which holds up a large black curtain, giving the set a simple background whilst also being cost and time efficient.
Stob Box is a piece of equipment which ensures connectivity between cameras and microphones the audio and visual panels in the control room, preventing needless space being taken up by loose and countless cables.
The Floor Monitor is a large screen which, during the groups live television production was behind the talent, portraying the live feed from each significant camera, informing the set of what is seen on the live feed by viewers.
The Audio Desk is located in the control room and monitors, edits and controls the level of distortion, volume and level of outgoing sound from the set. The audio desk is vital to the success of the production because it controls what the viewers hear.
The Camera Pedestal is what is necessary for a camera to have vertical movement, helping to achieve a clearer, better shot.
Talkback Protocol.
Talkback is vital to the success of a television event, as it is the communication between the director, floor manager, camera operators, sound and vision mixers and the VT insert operator. Without talkback the entire studio would be a mess because no one will be on time with any of the others and none of the directors requests would be heard or carried out. Talkback is simple in that it acts as a speaker where you can hear possible errors on set which could be fixed, as well as hearing the directors’ cues. Talkback ensures time efficient and smooth tasks to be carried out at each operator’s station without the need to leave and go and talk to each of the crew members personally. Time spent speaking on talkback is kept down to a minimum, which means the use of shortened sentences and terms to be spoken across to each operator’s station. Talkback is extremely efficient as there is a button that must be pressed when the need to speak arises, ensuring no confusion on misinterpreted hearing. Through the use of talkback, the director can easily inform camera operators of the state of their shots as well as camera operating terms to be heard by the operators.
Camera Operation.
The studios camera operators must know how to operate the machinery, as safely and efficiently as possible in order to secure a strong, well made production as well as avoid possible risks to themselves, the studio and other crew members.
A camera operator has a camera assistant working alongside them to ensure nothing is in the way of the route or shot of the camera, it is down to the camera operator to ensure a clear shot is available on the director’s cue. The cameras pedestal ensures smooth vertical movement for the cameras shot which needs to be clear of all possible hazards.
Camera Terminology must be learned by the camera operators in order to understand and carry out the director’s tasks as efficiently as possible. The term; “Pan” is used to describe the movement of the camera, e.g. the director may say “Pan left” which would mean the camera slides to the left whilst maintaining the view of the set and talent. Whilst panning, the cameras pedestal and tripod remain stationary, resulting in just the camera face moving. The term; “Tilt” is similar to panning except it is vertical movement as opposed to horizontal. If the director says; “Tilt up” then the camera, whilst keeping the tripod and pedestal stationary, moves the camera face up slightly to gain a better, clearer shot. The term; “Crab” is when the camera moves entirely, with the pedestal and tripod moving with it. For example, if the director says; “Crab right” then the camera operator will know to slide the camera in its entirety to the right. The term; “Track” is used to inform the camera operator to move the camera forwards or backwards, much like crabbing except forwards or backwards as opposed to left or right, for example, if the director says; “Track forwards” the camera operator will slide the camera forwards, closer to the set.
A camera operator has a camera assistant working alongside them to ensure nothing is in the way of the route or shot of the camera, it is down to the camera operator to ensure a clear shot is available on the director’s cue. The cameras pedestal ensures smooth vertical movement for the cameras shot which needs to be clear of all possible hazards.
Camera Terminology must be learned by the camera operators in order to understand and carry out the director’s tasks as efficiently as possible. The term; “Pan” is used to describe the movement of the camera, e.g. the director may say “Pan left” which would mean the camera slides to the left whilst maintaining the view of the set and talent. Whilst panning, the cameras pedestal and tripod remain stationary, resulting in just the camera face moving. The term; “Tilt” is similar to panning except it is vertical movement as opposed to horizontal. If the director says; “Tilt up” then the camera, whilst keeping the tripod and pedestal stationary, moves the camera face up slightly to gain a better, clearer shot. The term; “Crab” is when the camera moves entirely, with the pedestal and tripod moving with it. For example, if the director says; “Crab right” then the camera operator will know to slide the camera in its entirety to the right. The term; “Track” is used to inform the camera operator to move the camera forwards or backwards, much like crabbing except forwards or backwards as opposed to left or right, for example, if the director says; “Track forwards” the camera operator will slide the camera forwards, closer to the set.
Health & Safety in The Studio.
A studio is full of hazards if the correct precautions are not taken, however, even with every precaution taken, there are still risks. Some of the risks that can be avoided are as follows; Camera cables strung out across the studio could prove hazardous in that they could either, cause a crew member to fall, possibly resulting in damaged equipment alongside they themselves getting damaged, which could cause the studio cameras to not function properly. Flat soled footwear is strongly advised in a studio in order to prevent possible damage to the cables as well as ensuring sensible movement across the studio. Unstable lighting could prove a risk as a set of lighting could fall, possibly causing harm to a crew member, as well as damaging the studio environment. Lighting could also blow, causing a possible fire risk as well as harming crew members.
In order to prevent these risks to the best of our ability from happening, it is necessary to assess the hazard, risk and action. The hazard is what could possibly go wrong, e.g. lighting falling from the grid, the risk is the likelihood of the hazard happening, helping the crew to determine which precautions to take, as well as the level of precaution. The action is what could be done by the crew to prevent the hazard from taking place, such as tucking stray camera cables against the studio wall, to prevent anyone tripping over or damaging them.
In order to prevent these risks to the best of our ability from happening, it is necessary to assess the hazard, risk and action. The hazard is what could possibly go wrong, e.g. lighting falling from the grid, the risk is the likelihood of the hazard happening, helping the crew to determine which precautions to take, as well as the level of precaution. The action is what could be done by the crew to prevent the hazard from taking place, such as tucking stray camera cables against the studio wall, to prevent anyone tripping over or damaging them.
Monday 14 December 2009
Studio Crew.
The studio crew roles all play hand in hand in creating a smooth production.
Camera Operator - The camera operator pans across the set, ensuring the correct shots are viewed when their camera goes live. It is up to the camera operator to what's known as "Crab" alongside the side either left or right to ensure no interference with off set crew and other cameras.
Director - The director ensures everything on and off set is running without error alongside making sure each camera has got the correct shot and view. It is down to the director to inform vision mixers, sound operators and camera operators when the live feed is cutting and when to play inserts etc.
Vision Mixer - The vision mixers job is to cut to the right camera on the directors cue, in order for that cameras shot to go live and be seen by viewers. The vision mixer ensures the VT inserts go live when propped.
Sound Operators - The sound operators job is to ensure that each of the talents mics are in the correct place, so as to avoid muffled sound or excessive sound. It is up to the sound operator to ensure that the sound is played when cued from either VT inserts, to the talents mics.
The Camera Assistants - The camera assistants role is to ensure that the camera operators job can be done as quickly and as smoothly as possible without interference from possible set disturbances such as long camera cables etc.
Floor Manager - The floor managers role is to ensure what the director asks gets done as quickly and without error as possible, they inform the set of any changes to the plan aswell as guiding them towards the next step of filming. The floor manager ensures that no one is confused or at fault on and off set, ensuring the best possible production despite set backs.
The DVD Operator - The DVD operator ensures the correct VT inserts are played on the directors que and in time with the production.
Lighting - The lighting is vital to a television productions success because it illuminated the shows talent as well as the set, portraying a watchable view for viewers.
Camera Operator - The camera operator pans across the set, ensuring the correct shots are viewed when their camera goes live. It is up to the camera operator to what's known as "Crab" alongside the side either left or right to ensure no interference with off set crew and other cameras.
Director - The director ensures everything on and off set is running without error alongside making sure each camera has got the correct shot and view. It is down to the director to inform vision mixers, sound operators and camera operators when the live feed is cutting and when to play inserts etc.
Vision Mixer - The vision mixers job is to cut to the right camera on the directors cue, in order for that cameras shot to go live and be seen by viewers. The vision mixer ensures the VT inserts go live when propped.
Sound Operators - The sound operators job is to ensure that each of the talents mics are in the correct place, so as to avoid muffled sound or excessive sound. It is up to the sound operator to ensure that the sound is played when cued from either VT inserts, to the talents mics.
The Camera Assistants - The camera assistants role is to ensure that the camera operators job can be done as quickly and as smoothly as possible without interference from possible set disturbances such as long camera cables etc.
Floor Manager - The floor managers role is to ensure what the director asks gets done as quickly and without error as possible, they inform the set of any changes to the plan aswell as guiding them towards the next step of filming. The floor manager ensures that no one is confused or at fault on and off set, ensuring the best possible production despite set backs.
The DVD Operator - The DVD operator ensures the correct VT inserts are played on the directors que and in time with the production.
Lighting - The lighting is vital to a television productions success because it illuminated the shows talent as well as the set, portraying a watchable view for viewers.
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