Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Talk Backs

These allow every crew member in the studio to talk to each other without disturbing everyone else.

Camera Placements & Shots

Camera 1 - it's main focus is guests A & B but sometimes may be asked to move to and over shoulder shot of guest C & D.

Camera 2 - This camera is placed behind the audience, and concentrates on the host, however may move to close ups on either guest A & B or C & D

Camera 3 - Camera 3 is camera 1's partner in crime, they mirror each other and have to make sure there is a variety of shots. It usually helps if the two camera operators get along, and i found in out multi cm production, working with mark on cameras one and three was fun and fairly easy as we got along so had previously discussed shots.

Camera 4 - In our studio, this is the Jib- Arm, it allows for an insane variety of shots, and can be used to make the studio look spacious as you can get the camera high above the others.

Directors Calls

"Floor ready?" - this is a call to the floor manger to ask if the studio is ready to start filming.

"Roll DVD" - this is telling the dvd operator to play the required VT insert.

"Crab right" - this means the camera operator is expected to slide the camera to the right of the subject on screen, Crab Left, means the same.

"PED up" - this is asking said camera operator to make the camera higher.

"Track forwards" - this is the director asking the camera operator to move the camera towards the subject.

"Go to an MS/2S shot" - this is asking the camera operator to change shot.

DVD Requirements

The DVD contains everything visual and audio related that goes into the show such as opening titles, round stings, and any visual/video insterts used for questions included in the quiz, thus making it one of the most vital elements to the show. The DVD is manned by the DVD operator ( vision ) in the Audio Control room, it is their job is to set up and play the right track and VT at the relevant time, if this is not done right, it is glaringly obvious. Between each clip there should be an inserted second of black, this allows the operator to pause the DVD in the right place, and helps prevent it from rolling onto the next clip. The ratio for the DVD inserts should be (16:9), as this fits the screen perfectly.


ELS -
Extreme long shots are used to show a person or object and usually their surroundings.
LS -
Long shots are used to show an area, such as a tv studio and set, they are used a lot at the beginning and end of multi cam productions such as quiz shows.
MLS -
Mid long shots are used for the same reason as long shots.
MS -
Mid shots are used to show a person from their waist upwards, they are used in multi cam production when the host is maybe standing up and introducing the show.
MCU -
These shots are of the shoulders and head, and allow the viewer to see the persons reaction.
CU -
Used on someone's face to show their reaction,
ECU -
These are rarely used in multi cam productions such as quiz shows, and are usually found in film or soap operas when something dramatic happens,

Signal Flow


Studio Protocol

Wherever people are working there are always rules that are to be followed strictly, and the tv studio is no different;



1)You must not run in the studio as you might trip over camera cables or loose wires.

2)Make sure you wear soft sole shoes such as trainers to help stop any damage to the studio floor.

3)When in the studio, and people are in their respective areas, only talk over the headsets, and use the correct terminology, if you are camera four wanting to speak to the director, say camera four to director, and wait for a response, the director and floor manager will be busy sorting everything else out at the same time.

4)NEVER have food or drink in the studio, this could be split and ruin expensive electric equipment, such as microphones and cameras, also there is a high risk of electrocuting yourself.