These are:
- Camera operator
- Sound mixing
- Vision mixing
- Directing
- Set designer
- Lighting desk
- Floor manager
- Graphics generation
- VT operator
- Presenter
Camera Operator
In a TV camera department, the camera operator job is a senior role. With camera operators, it's an important job due to the fact everything should be filmed with accuracy to not lose focus of the footage. Camera Operators require skills that should be at an advanced level to get the job... For example:
-Using the cameras correctly: if people didn't know how to record and it was a live event, it would be a massive problem due to the fact that nothing could be filmed, or it would be filmed in a poorly productive way.
-Good listening to carry out instructions with excessive precision and have consideration to detail: this is needed for a role like a camera operator because they are the ones who are in control of whats televised, and if they don't follow a simple instruction, something could go wrong with the footage e.g filming something else when they should be filming something in particular.-Possess physical stamina for working long hours and moving heavy equipment: the people working behind the camera has to make sure they are strong enough to move their equipment around when working long hours, if not, if someone decides to not move e.g. a lead, then it could cost the whole of the footage to be filming, lets say, something different instead of something else that should be televised on footage, just for something simple like moving a lead.
Duties are required that should be followed as it's an important job role that needs to be taken seriously. Examples of duties:
-Read and digest the script: following the script is a must because it shares everything you must do when filming. If you forget to read a part of a script, and you expect you can improvise on the spot is the wrong choice decision. If you forget to film and are late on presenting a camera shot - things could go a lot worse from there as you will become out of sync. Being a camera operator you have to be calm and confident in what you are doing, and if you're not, then the littlest thing that goes wrong can resolve to the whole filming being ruined.
-Shooting camera and lens test, especially checking the ground glass ratios and format by shooting a leader: not checking if your camera is setup right could be a downfall. A single button on the camera not working could effect the whole shooting as that button could be the most needed one. If the lens isn't in focus when you've already started filming a live or as live event, then the viewers at home would be watching something that's out of proportion.
-Being on time to set: if you're not on time and you're filming a as live or live production, then the timing of the filming will be televised later and the viewers may not be pleased.
Case Study:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_television_camera_operator_case_study_2.htm
I researched into a Case study that I came across for an experience of a camera operator. I found Brian who works freelance as a camera operator and cameraperson, and has a BA in Film and Media from Brunel University. He explains the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a camera operator.
Advantages:
-Insight into many different industries and ways of life.
-Get to shoot within different locations.
-Travel around Britain.
Disadvantages:
-Working in cold and wet conditions.
-Hand-held work with lots of long shots causing back aches.
-Held up in traffic.
Sound Mixing
The sound mixing job is a job role that controls the main sound that is being projected on a television show. If you are not on task with this role, viewers could miss out on what's being said on the show which would lead to a lot of complaints.Sound Mixing require skills that should be at an advanced level to get the job... For example:
-A good memory to know what button is for what: not all buttons are labelled so you have to make sure you know what button means what.
-Follow commands at a clear and concise level: they need to make sure that they know when the sounds need to be played to ensure they are payed at the right time so the show runs productively.
-Knowing how to operate the Sound Mixing table: if they don't know what they are doing then many mistakes can happen during the show.
Duties:
-Being on time: if they are not there on time then it sets back the time on the show as sound is one of the main aspects you need for a broadcasted show.
-Correct equipment and checking: making sure you have everything for the sound mixing production and to also check if all the buttons are working beforehand.
-Good knowledge of the script: they must know in what order to use each button automatically without hesitation as it could cause a delay in sound or to know when to put the volume up or down when someone is starting to talk or is finishing.
Case Study
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_sound_technician_broadcasting_film_video_case_study_2.htm
I used the same website as the last one I used for the camera operator as it was a reliable source. Steve was originally a trainee in the music industry and went onto college to study electronics. He then went onto the television department. He noted the goods and bads of his experience.
Goods
-Flexibility of turning down work and having days off
-Exploration of different places
Bads
-The same working pattern
-Frustrating periods of job uncertainty and unemployment
-Dealing with impatient directors and producers who often hold unrealistic budgets, timescales and expectations... leading to a tense working environment.
However, there are more bads then goods which puts into perspective that I wouldn't want this job. Steve explains that it's a stressful job role, especially when in contact with the producers and directors.
Vision Mixing
Vision Mixing is a job role that controls on what is being televised for the viewers to watch at home on their screens. They have to switch from one camera to the other ensuring that the right shot is being shown. The skills for this job are...
-Concentration: paying attention to know what camera to switch to as it's very important. No added concentration from the person will ruin the sync transitioning of the show.
-Knowing how to use the software and to edit: if they don't know how to edit the show will be presented in an unprofessional manor. If you don't know any knowledge of the software then the editing process won't be done at a rapid pace.
-Having to multi-task: having to listen carefully to the director -> eyes on the screen to check what needs to be changed -> pressing the right button to change it. Loss of focus could occur when you're having a hard time listening and having to do more than one thing at the same time.
Duties are required that should be followed as it's an important job role that needs to be taken seriously. Examples of duties:
-Communication: especially with the director because that's who you have to be in contact with to know what you're doing in the process. Doing what they say is key.
-Be on task: it's a hard task to undergo so you have to make sure you're on the go at all times.
-Checking equipment: if it's not checked then out of luck, something could not be working properly which could effect the show.
Case Study
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135766
I came across this article of a vision mixer within the show 'Strictly: It Takes Two' called Naomi Neufeld. She emphasise' the fact that there is no hesitation allowed for she says, "If you hesitate, you've missed the shot." This explains that having this job role you have to be on form at all time and to keep calm because that's where things start to go wrong.
Directing
The director has the important job in the television production as they are the ones who are up top in the hierarchy system. They have many skills within this job.
-Precise and clear communication skills: directors have to be clear on what they want through good communication otherwise things can be misheard which could be the bad turning point.
-Being organised: planning beforehand through note taking so when it comes to the final day they know what they want done. Without organisation, things could go wrong because nothing was planned out in front of them.
-Final decisions: the director has to know what they want without indecisiveness.
-Quick thinking: in a live television production, the director would need to think quick of preventing the show if something goes wrong in the process of filming.
Duties are needed also.
-Be on time: if the director is not on time to set then that can hold back the shooting. They need to be on time to make sure they know all the other job roles that many different people have are on form and are ready for a day of filming.
-Informing: reminding others of what they have to do and to make sure they know religiously what to do when in time to shoot.
-Concise knowledge towards script: need to know every detail of shots and when they need to cut, knowing when the lighting needs to be toned down and when the sound needs to fade so he/she can tell the specific job people to do so.
Case Study
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20131002135016367
I came across this case study of a director for Eastenders named Lance Keenshaw. He says, "In a relatively short period of five weeks, you have to get across two hours' worth of television. It's a feature film's worth of material that would be prepped in a year." This puts into perspective the least amount of time a director has to plan out what they want to get filmed compared to a feature film's time that is usually prepped in a year.
Set Designer
The set designer creates the visual style background and props of the scene. Within this role they have skills that they have to require in their work.
-Having great art and designing skills: without this talent, the set design wouldn't look visually appealing to the viewers. They need these skills to create the scenery in the background to be as creative as possible for a good eye to look at.
-Succumb to all constructive criticism: the director may ask to change around a few things if he/she doesn't approve of. All opinions shouldn't be taken in deeply as it should be taken in as a lesson learnt in future references.
-Good communication: without this skill taken on board, people may not know what they are doing and what they are in charge of. Simple, clear communication is all you need to keep the production on the role calmly.
Duties must be taken into consideration...
-To make the set look creative: with the set just being boring for a show that's supposed to be upbeat it can lower the standard of the show.
-Checking: making sure the set design looks identical throughout the show to keep with the continuity production of it all.
-Financial budget: having to buy all the props for the show within a budget they are given by the show.
-Asking for an opinion: getting the director to look at the set design to get their vision on how it looks. If they don't something, then they can easily change it or take it away before the show is live.
Case Study
I found this case study of a Set Designer called Danielle Brady who answered questions from a questionnaire. To be a set designer, you have to be passionate towards the job in order to enjoy it.
Lighting Desk
-Spectacular memory: you have to memorise any buttons that are not labelled to know what you're handling with in the production of shooting.
-Keep on their feet at all times: they have to pay attention to any instructions given by the director in order to press the right button to not delay a lighting effect. The lighting desks have many buttons that lead to many different outcomes, so if you're not listening, then you could press the wrong button which would appear wrong on the live production of shooting.
-Health and Safety rules: all lighting people have to know the rules of safety within a lighting desk production due to the many different electronics around them. Accidents may happen if you're not concentrating of the area around you so it's better to stay calm.
-Organisation: the lighting desk people have to be very organised and make sure they bring everything to set with the right equipment.
There are also duties needed to have when having the role of a lighting desk.
-Check over: remembering to check the equipment beforehand to see if everything it working and making sure all the buttons are working.
-Lighting desk and set designer: the lighting needs to be set up around the studio with the help of the set designer to know where to put the specific lighting's as the set design itself could get in the way. Making sure they put all the lights in the right place.
-Safety: making sure the lights are set up with safety, e.g. wires are kept out of reach and to not be seen on the tv.
-Being early: coming early to set to place all the lighting around the studio and to check with the director.
Case Study
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_lighting_technician_broadcasting_film_video_case_study_1.htm
James had a course with the BBC which helped him when he was ready to apply for a full time job. He mentions his highlights and down-sights to this job of being the lighting desk person.
Advantages
-Plenty of variety
-Opportunity to travel and to work overseas
-Work at a wide range of events
Disadvantages
-Hard to move up the career ladder as opportunities are limited
-Hours of work can be long
-Unsocial
Floor Manager
The floor manager has the role of controlling the set during the shooting of the show. They receive instructions from the director to feedback to the other roles, e.g. presenters, camera operators etc. They do this with hand gestures (picture on the right) particularly when the production is live. There are specific skills a floor manager should have to meet the standards of a professional floor manager.-Good hand gestures: being able to communicate via hand gestures as you won't be able to talk during the shooting. Have to make sure the hand signals are clear for the presenters to know what you want to get across to them.
-Organisation: to be a good team leader they have to know what exactly everyone is doing and whether they need to change anything. They have to be snappy on this job as they are a team leader of a big group.
-Staying relatively calm: if you're not calm and collective on a job like this, then things can go terribly wrong when a problems occurs. They have to be quick minded and sort the problem out with the use of staying calm themselves as it could become a very tense atmosphere.
There are many duties needed for this job.
-Check over: going over the set and making sure everything is tidy and set to go for the shooting of the show. Making sure that all the safety rules are up to the standard they should be.
-Reliable: you should be reliable at all times and to make sure you're on time for a job role like this to make sure everyone is ready and knows what they're doing as clearly as possible.
-Following the script: paying attention to the script to know when to make the next hand gesture or to change something within another job role as quickly as possible. Making sure everything is up to scratch and done with a clear outcome to have to show run as smoothly as possible.
Case Study
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_television_floor_manager_case_study_1.htm
I am using this website because I know it's reliable with good information. Steve talks about the skills you must have to become a floor manager and explains how you have to be at your top form, even if you're feeling down.
Graphics Generation
A graphics generator has the duty of displaying the graphics and animations on the screen. They must have many skills to do this job.
-Good creativity: to come up with new ideas and intriguing designs for a nice visual appeal to the viewers eye.
-Knowledge on editing: knowing how to edit well is needed to enable the show to run smoothly with no bumps. If there were no good editing skills shown in the shooting of the show, then it will look unprofessional.
-Knowledge on softwares: knowing how to work the software is needed otherwise the process will be long and slow.
The duties a graphics generator needs are:
-Punctual: being on time to set is the most important as you will need to set up all the equipment and check over anything to make sure its the best standards being set.
-Safety: being aware of the safety rules and regulations as they are working with electronics which need to be taken seriously.
-Checking with the director: this is important as the standard they require to the set are high, so they would need to check if everything looks professional enough to air on the show.
VT Operator
A VT operator is in control of getting all the filming ready to be aired on tv. With this, comes some skills that must be shown when receiving this role.
-Working in a tense environment: the VT operator has to know what they are doing in order to have a stress-free day as it's a long process throughout the day.
-Communication: this is key when working with many different people as everyone has to know what they're doing. Lack of communication could cause problems and confusion.
-Being able to use the equipment: this should be done at a good level of knowledge otherwise if not, if could go from bad to worse with nothing being shown on the tv.
Duties are also needed.
-Reliable: being on time to set and someone who the director can trust to handle with the tapes. -Working with the right tapes: to make sure they are prepared for a full day of productive work. -Communication: especially with the director to get their criticism of general feedback for what will be shown on TV.
Case Study
http://www.filmandtvpro.com/uk/casestudy.php?uid=4574&user_uid=356865
I found this case study of Bryan Lomax who answered many questions from a questionnaire. He answered with full detail on each question which shows that he experienced a lot in the VT operator production.
Presenter
A presenter can be just one person or more than one with mainly just two max. They are presented in front of the camera and have the main role on the tv. They must require skills keep the viewers intrigued at all times.
-Knowing the shows purpose: knowing what the show is about is important because you're telling the whole nation information they need or want to know. If the presenters don't know what they're on about then it could look clear to viewers when watching them on the tv.
-Confidence: without this factor, it could be obvious to viewers that they're nervous via voice control, hand gestures and body movement. They should have a loud and clear voice with a straight back to show their professional status at all times.
-The viewers needs: grabbing the audience with the use of communication and energy in their body movements to keep viewers interested. If the presenters show a dull performance to the camera then it could look like they don't care and are not doing their job properly to keep viewers maintained to the show.
Duties needed for a presenter are straight-forward.
-Reliability is key: without reliability of being on time to the set, then there would be no tv because the presenter isn't there to start the show.
-Memorising the script: presenters have to know when to speak and how to speak if there is a different tone having to be set for a particular storyline e.g. death - sad, undertone is being presented within the voice and body language.
-Asking for feedback: asking the director if they should present something in a particular way that they think it would look good coming across t viewers.
Case Study
http://www.allaboutcareers.com/articles/post/media/case-study-television-presenter.htm
This male talks about his lead up to being the first black male to present on the Blue Peter show. He mentions the advantages: receiving free clothes, going to premieres, parties and travelling. He also mentions to prepare to work hard and to make sure to look back on yourself on video. Practice is key to wanting to be a presenter.
Below I done a Hierarchy Table of the TV Production of the many roles I have mentioned above. On Microsoft Word, I explained each role and why i've placed them in that specific order, from highest to lowest.
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