TV Production Personnel

Producer Is in charge of the production. He or she is responsible for all personnel

working on the production and for co-ordinating technical and non-technical production
elements. The producer has the final say on all aspects of the show.
Technical Director (TD) Switcher Operates the switcher and special effects
generator and acts as the crew chief. He or she must quickly react to the Producers
direction to switch the outgoing signal from camera to camera as well as be able to
incorporate video feed and transitions so that the show is more interesting to watch. You
must learn to speak the directors language or terminology with clarity and confidence.
Camera Operator Operates camera to incorporate the appropriate camera shots as
directed by the producer. Sometimes called videographers or shooters. A distinct mark
of an amateur camera operator is excessive camera movement. The television camera is
one of the most important production elements. Tally light indicates whether the camera
is hot that is, switched (on the air).
Gaffer Ensures that all cables are properly laid out and do not become tangled or in the
way of the camera operators.
The Directors Terminology
Television directing demands a precise and specific language. Multicamera directing
from the studio control room requires the most precise terminology. You must use it
consistently, and it must be understood by everyone on the production team. The shorter
and less ambiguous the signals, the better the communication. It is essential for efficient,
error-free communication among all members of the production team. The
intercommunication channels are especially important for multicamera productions
because the director and producer have to effectively communicate with the camera
operators.

Refer to the Television Production Handbook Pages 477 - 479,

Figure 19.1 Directors Visualization Cues.
The directional cues are always given from the cameras point of view, not the talents
point of view.
Left means camera-left; Right means camera-right.

Directors Sequencing Cues

These cues help get from one shot to the next. They include the major transitions, or
sequencing cues.

ACTION

DIRECTORS CUE

Cut from camera 1 to camera 2

Ready two take two.

Dissolve from camera 3 to camera 1

Ready one for dissolve dissolve.

Normal wipe from C1 to C3

Ready three for normal wipe wipe.

Fade in C1 from black

Ready fade in one fade in one.

Fade out C2 to black

Ready fade out two fade out two.

Cut between C1 and VTR

Ready VTR take VTR.

Cut between VTR and C1

Ready one take one.

Super C1 over C2

Ready super one over two super.

To return to C2

Ready to lose super lose super.