Studio Equipment.

Grid - A set of pipes suspended from the ceiling which holds lights and sometimes other equipment such as microphones. The college studio grid has 6 sockets and each socket is individually numbered, and therefore individually controlled on the Dimmer Pack.

Dimmer Pack - Where the lights are connected to; generates the high amounts of power needed to operate them.

Studio Terminal Outlet Box (S.T.O.B) - This is where all of the cameras, microphones and additional lighting/sound devices can be connected too. It supplies power to everything that is connected to it.

Microphones - Used to pick up any sound/speech during the recording.

Cameras - In the college studio, there are 4 cameras (Sony Z5s) that are on peds. These are used to capture the vision which is needed to make the show.

Cool Lights (florescent tubes) and Tungstun Lights (spot lights) - Suspended from the grid, they light the studio/set as well as the talent.

DVD Player - Plays any inserts i.e. opening titles, video clips, photos.

Lighting Desk - Controls the light intensity and chooses which lights to use via the dimmer pack.

Sound Desk - Used to adjust the sound levels of the microphones in the studio, preventing distortion from loud sounds/voices.

Vision Mixing Desk - Controls which camera feed to use, and allows director and the vision mixer to see all of the shots being produced by each individual camera.

Crew Roles & Responsibilities.

Studio Roles:

• Floor Manager (FM)
  In charge of the studio, and controls who comes in/out of it. They represent the Director on the floor and keep the production going. They wear radio head sets (cans) to deliver messages from the Director to other crew members on the studio floor who are not on cans and vice versa. They also cue in the talent, whilst indicating which camera they need to talk into to.
  
  
• Assistant Floor Manager (AFM)
  Helps the Floor Manager with their given tasks in the studio, and performs jobs such as tallying the score (for quiz shows) or leading the audience when giving applause.
  
  
• Camera Operators
  As the name suggests, they operate the cameras. Their principal task is to deliver well framed and well focused shots. They are given cans so that they can communicate with the Director.
  
  
• Camera Assistant
  Helps the operator to position/move the camera, and keeps hold of the cables to prevent them from being tripped over.
  
  
• Talent
  These are the people who appear infront of the camera, such as presenters/contestants.

Vision Control Room Roles:

• Director
  In charge of the studio, crew and talent. They direct, organise and establish shots and the order in which that they appear. The production is ultimately, their vision.
  
  
• Assistant Director
  Cues in any visual inserts, and then keeps the timing for them.
  
  
• Vision Mixer
  Operates the Vision Mixing Panel, which is used to switch between the different camera shots and any external inserts (video clips) which will be recorded/broadcast.
  
  
• Lighting Controller
  Operates the lighting elements on the set.

Audio Control Room Roles:

• Senior Sound Operator
  Operates the audio mixer to control the sound levels of the microphones in the studio and any DVD inserts, making sure they aren't too loud or too quiet.
  
  
• Assistant Sound Operator
  Helps the Senior Sound Op on the audio mixer.
  
  
• DVD Operator
  Controls the DVD to cue in any VT inserts.

Other:

• Producer
  Funds the production and is responsible for hiring both the crew and talent.

Multi-Cam Production Terms.

"DVD ready" - DVD operator has set up the DVD player ready to play the next insert for when it is needed. (DVD operator to Director.)

"Floor ready" - Everyone in the studio is ready for recording. (Floor Manager to Director.)

"Sound ready" - The Sound Operators are happy with the sound/microphone levels and are read to go. (Sound Operator operator to Director.)

"Cut" - Meaning the Director wants to go to another shot. (Director to Vision Mixer and Camera Operators.)

Studio Protocol & Practice.

Like most places, the studio has a strict protocol for health & safety reasons and to allow the production to run as smoothly as possible:

• No running in the studio as the cameras have long cables which trail along the floor that can be easily tripped over.
• No food and drink in the studio because they could spill and damage equipment such as the cameras and microphones as well as even causing a risk of electrocution.
• Only speak via the headsets (cans) if it is needed, as to allow for important instructions from and to the Director/Floor Manager.
• Only allow people in the studio who are needed as a part of production to prevent over-crowding.
• Wear soft sole shoes such as trainers to prevent damage to camera cables and the studio floor itself.

Signal Flow (Audio/Video) & the Techincal Rig.

Audio;

Vision;

Camera Shots & Moves.

CU - Close up.
These are usually only used to either show a subject's reaction, or show the audience/viewers a prop of some sort.



MCU - Medium close up.
Whereby everything from the subject's waist to head is in frame.



MS - Mid-shot. (One shot)
Shows only one contestant/talent at a time. This is usually used to show the host, but is sometimes used on contestants.

WS - Wide shot.
These are used for an establishing shot at the beginning of a programme, which shows the viewers the whole studio (audience, guests, host, set, cameras on studio floor). This is also can be used as a 'safety shot' in case other camera shots are not ready or are sorting a technical problem. Programmes also normally end with such shot.

2S - Two shot.
Used to show 2 guests or contestants, as an MCU.

----------------------------------------------------------

Track - Moving the camera forwards/backwards.
Crab - Moving the camera left/right, used for either framing a shot or tracking.
Ped - Adjusting the camera pedestal up or down.
Pan - Twisting the camera.
Tilt - Moving the angle up/down.
Zoom - Focusing in/out of the subject, to give shots ranging from a wide, to an ECU.

DVD Operation & Insert Requirements.

The DVD is one of the most important parts of the show itself, as it contains opening titles, round stings, and any visual/video insterts used for questions included in the quiz. The DVD is controlled by a DVD operator in the Audio Control room. Their job is to set up and play the right track on the DVD at the relevant time.

All inserts which appear on the DVD should be the same screen ratio (16:9). We failed to do this in our own production, which resulted in our clips/pictures being all different sizes.

Furthermore, a second of black is needed at both the beginning and end of each individual clip, to prevent rolling into the next sequence and it also allows the DVD operator to pause the track before being instructed to play it by the Director.