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Module 1-A |
Updated: 06/23/2008 |
Optional
RealAudio® Introduction
 An explanation of the features of this course, including AnswerTips™, can be found here.
. . . . TV ProductionOverview.
You've come to the right place.
This Isn't A "Home Movies" Course Although most who use these modules study in class situations, many people go through these modules on an
individual basis -- i.e., they work for government agencies, TV
production facilities, or they just need a personal understanding
of the concepts.
Completing this course could mean an
exciting career in broadcast television, Internet webcasting, institutional videography,
satellite programming, mobile video, and other
areas -- including the advertising and public relations aspects of any of
these. Video production now includes feature films -- the kind you
see at your local theater.
Although the modules emphasize studio and field production for broadcast television, what's presented will be applicable to a wide variety of audio- and video-based media. It's all pretty much the same once you know the basics. |
So you really want to learn TV
production?
Thousands of students around the world are
now using this 
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Some equipment may not be available to you. That's okay; it's important to understand the equipment and techniques that are part of larger production facilities. For one thing, you may suddenly be confronted with an internship or job opportunity where this knowledge is essential. Or, you could easily get asked about some of these things in a job interview. Camerapersons, writers, directors, producers, and even on-camera talent find that having a solid understanding of the tools and techniques of the entire process makes a major difference in the success of productions -- not to mention their careers. In television production, as in most of today's high-tech areas, knowledge is power. Enough of the sales pitch. Let's get down to business. A Bird's Eye View of theProduction Process
We'll start by thinking big -- big productions, that is -- because many of these things can be scaled down, combined, or eliminated in smaller productions. Who Does What and Why
The person in charge of launching entire production is generally the producer. He or she comes up with the program concept, lays out the budget for the production, and makes the major decisions. This person is the team leader, the one who works with the writers, hires the director, decides on the key talent, and guides the general direction of the production. In smaller productions, the producer may also take charge of the more mundane activities. And in small productions, the director may handle the producer's responsibilities. In this case, the combined job title becomes (want to guess?), producer-director. Some productions may also have an associate producer who sets up schedules for the talent and crew and who generally assists the producer. On a major production, one of the producer's first jobs is to hire a writer to write the script (the document that tells everyone what to do and say). The script is like a written plan or blueprint for the production.
Sometimes In a large production, the producer will hire the director. The director is in charge of working out preproduction (before the production) details, coordinating the activities of the production staff and on-camera talent, working out camera and talent positions on the set, selecting the camera shots during production, and supervising postproduction (after production) work. In other words, once the producer sets things in motion, the director is in charge of taking the script from the beginning to the very end of the production process.
The technical director, or TD, is also responsible for coordinating the technical aspects of the production. One or more production assistants (PAs) may be hired to help the producer and director. Among other things, PAs keep notes on ongoing production needs and changes. The lighting director (LD) designs the lighting plan, arranges for the
lighting equipment, and sets up and checks the lighting. As we'll see, lighting is a key element in the overall look of a production. Some productions have a set designer who, along with the producer and director, designs the set and supervises its construction, painting, and installation. The makeup
person, with the help of cosmetics, hair
spray, etc., sees that the talent look their best -- or their worst, if that's what
the script calls for.
It should be emphasized that
specific responsibilities of production personnel will vary widely,
depending on the production facility. In Europe, and in particular at
the BBC (British Broadcasting System) in London,
First, you'll notice the Site Search / Key Terms link at the end of each module. This link is useful in finding terms and phrases anywhere on the site. Links will also take you to about 100 associated files intended to add to the basic information presented in these modules. (The makeup link above is an example.) For further readings on any topic click on the link at the bottom of each module for a bibliography of additional readings (the hardcopy type). For important background information on the
television medium, check out the series of modules After you visit any of these links, you can either close the window that pops up or click on the back arrow at the top of your browser or the "close window" button to get back to the module you were reading. These modules are available on independent Internet servers in the United States and Brazil. In case you get lost in cyberspace at some point, you might want to make a note of the following independent sites in the U.S. where these materials can be found: If you find that one site bogs down -- we've all known the Internet to do that on occasion -- try another site. All these sites carry the same TV Production and Mass Media modules. The "Quick Quiz" button at the end of each chapter takes you to a very short interactive matching game that acts as a review of some of the major concepts in the chapter (and checks to see if you really were awake while you were reading it!).
Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red Readings
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talent
is broken down into
three sub-categories: actors (who portray
other people in dramatic productions), performers
(who appear on camera in nondramatic roles), and announcers
(who generally don't appear on camera).
) in front of a link indicates information that's important to
what's being discussed. We cover this information in the
interactive tests and puzzles. Linked information within these readings is not covered in the tests.
) indicates technical information designed
for advanced classes and professionals; again, this material may or may
not be required by an instructor (assuming you are in a classroom setting).
) indicates external links with
related information not included on the interactive tests -- but your
instructor, of course, has the option of asking that you read this
information. Please note that the links to these external sources should in no way be
considered endorsements, and no compensation is received by
CyberCollege or the
InternetCampus for including these links. Unlike the links which go to information on this site, we have no control over the content of these external links.
