As Live Production: Del Studio Workshop 3

In today's workshop we set up an interview scenario and mocked up a Live TV scenario, so everyone could have a go at all studio roles, including ones they aren't doing for the final product. I felt this was a good thing given we wouldn't otherwise get the opportunity to discover other roles to see if we like them or not. A role I really enjoyed which I didn't thin k much of before was being the gallery director. This included determining what goes on screen and making sure all the cameras were set up accordingly for each shot. At first I really struggled with this as it involved a lot of multi-tasking. The correct terminology also confused me. However, I wasn't willing to give up the easily and I saw potential in myself for such a role. So I spoke to Del and asked him if I would be able to have another go as I feel I could do a lot better and I wouldn't learn otherwise. The second time around I was a lot better and learned how to multitask more. However its always important to be able ti improve "Each of us must evaluate ourselves, either with or without the help of a professional, and then use that evaluation to decide where we need to make improvements." (Dunwill, Ethan, 2015)
Doing all other roles also helped us all to appreciate other people's jobs and to see how we all work together.

Gallery PA
Gallery PA (Personal assistant) We set lots of timers for the different aspects of the mock up, with a ten second countdown to starting, a 27 second countdown for titles and a 3 minute countdown for the interview.

When counting down we go count in denominations of 2 minutes, 1 minute, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10, 9,8,7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.
We need to include zero to cue the next section
We need to allow set up time during the day
We have to be loud on the counts so everyone on talk-back can hear the information accurately.

Camera
As the camera operator you have to be on talk back, to hear instructions from the director, usually about adapting the shot type, and to hear the PA to count the time. "Camera Operators ensure that cameras and associated equipment are rigged and ready for the required set-up. They must be able to multi-task, and to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks." (creativeskillset.org). The cameras need to be fluid to allow easy movement if the directors want a different shot to planned. This was new for me as I had not used talk back before, but it was very educational to have to listen to all of the gallery communication, as it showed me why as a PA i have to be very clear on my counts, And showed me how to filter information, as you have to tune in to the appropriate messages.

Sound OP

As a sound technician, it's your responsibility to assemble, operate and maintain the technical equipment used to record, amplify, enhance, mix or reproduce sound. (prospects.ac.uk)As the sound OP I was in charge of the faders in a 1+1 interview with demonstration. This meant I was in charge of two faders and had to listen to the presenter and the guest to hear who needed to be higher on the levels. This was interesting as I was not on talk back, so relied on the floor manager to pass messages on, for example, asking to do a sound check. 

VT OP
As the VT OP I was sat in the gallery, in vision. In this role we were in charge of making the title sequence run, on the director and PA’s cue. This included talking to the gallery to let them know I was on standby for their cue, and making the VT run. This was a role in the gallery that I didn't know existed before this unit, so it was an interesting role that I would like to know more about.
"VT Operators are sometimes called CAR Operators, Technical Runners or Tape Operators. They work in and manage the machine room and operate tape recording equipment."(creativeskillset.org)
Vision Mixing
Vision Mixing was a role I had tried in a previous lecture, however, I had not ever vision mixed an interview that was coming from a live feed. A vision mixer is responsible for "Editing programmes live (as they are being transmitted or recorded), using a variety of transition methods, such as cuts, mixes, wipes and frame manipulation"(creativeskillset.org). This included cueing and playing a title sequence as well, which showed how the VT OP and vision mixer work together. I was working with Aimee as a director, rather than Del, so this was a new experience too. I enjoyed this role, however, It was difficult to look at the correct screens instead of the buttons.

Conclusion
This lecture was really insightful into all of the studio roles, and showed how they all
Link together. It was good to be in the gallery, as I got used to how the role of PA worked with everyone else, and gave me some experience in the role.

Reference:

Dunwill, Ethan (2015), CONFIDENCE, SELF IMPROVEMENT, SUCCESS https://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-reasons-self-development-key-success/

(http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/291_camera_operator_studio_and_ob).

(https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/sound-technician-broadcasting-film-video)

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/3855_video_tape_vt_operators

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/318_vision_mixer