On our assessment day we began by unloading the van, which had all our equipment in it because we were filming in Manchester the day before. After we bought the equipment upstairs we started setting up the cameras, microphones, vision and audio mixers. It didn't take us long to set up but we had a big problem with one of the cameras as we could not get the picture up on the tricaster. After last weeks confusion on which group was going to film when we decided that we would go second because we had our VT ready and we were confident that we could shoot our programme. At first we thought it was the camera because it had a composite cable port which didn't work. So after we failed trying to move around the cable in the camera to get the picture up we decided to change the composite cable to another one. This, however, still didn't fix our issue and we were beginning to think that we wouldn't be able to use one of the cameras. As a last resort we decided to use a Sony V1 camera instead of the Panasonic P2 and that didn't work for us either and still couldn't get any image on the tricaster. So we decided that we would only use two cameras for our shows which would be very hard on the camera operators.
On the first programme I was one of the camera operators so I had to be ready to work more than I should because both of us had to change our shots whenever we weren't filming to try and make it look like there was more than two cameras. After we had set up all the other equipment we decided to go through one practice shot before we began streaming it online because we needed to know what we were doing on the cameras. Before we started doing the first take the director came out of the gallery to explain to me and the other camera operator what he was looking for and also how we had to tackle the issue of only having two cameras to work with. When we started filming we had to change shots very quickly when we weren't live. Every time I knew I wasn't live I started offering the director different shots and kept on switching from wide shots, to mid-shots and close-ups. Overall I think the director was pleased with our work and although at times I did offer shots I also did what the director asked for.
After the first group had finished we were all told to go on a dinner break but I decided to stay behind and fix the problem with the cameras. After trying different methods such as switching the camera to the middle preview monitor on the tricaster we decided that instead of using a composite connection we would go with the component cable. We began by changing the composite cable and replacing it with the red, blue and green connecters but we still used a composite cable to go into the tricaster. Even with this change over nothing was working so we tried the same thing with the Sony V1 and it still didn't work. What we had to do to ensure that we could use the third camera was use a component cable running from the camera straight into the front of the tricaster. So before I went on my dinner break I set up the camera and had the component cable running from the studio to the tricaster which was tricky because the component cable wire is a lot thicker than the composite cable and its purple which made it hard to hide during the shoot, but we managed it.
When I came back from lunch I found out that the camera was once again not working and we were ready to start filming. I checked the connection again and I got some picture on the tricaster but the colour was black and white. After I changed over a few of the cables in the camera and tricaster I finally got it working again and we were ready to film. I began my job as the floor manager by getting everyone on set and ready to film. I also had set up the microphones on the presenter and guests as well as we didn't have a sound operator at the time because he wasn't in. I asked one of the other students to fill in for our group, then we were ready to shoot. We didn't get the chance to rehearse last week so we took this opportunity to get a few practice shots before we began filming. I made sure we practiced as quick as possible because there were another three groups to film their programmes after us.
After two practice takes we decided it was time to start recording our live show. My job was to make sure everyone knew what they were doing and also to ensure that no one else apart from the production team, the presenter and the guest were on the studio floor. I also had to cue in the guest because we were going to have him walk into shot instead of him sitting there with the presenter. We were suppose to have two guests including one of the music students but they decided not to take part in our programmes. During the shoot I had problems with my talkback and I couldn't hear the director (Ashley) so I had to ask the camera operators when we were playing the VT so I knew when to cue the presenter back in and also I had to cue in the guest. Our show lasted around 5 minutes and I think there was still some confusion with our presenter as she wasn't sure when we were playing VT.
Overall I think our programmes was done very well and it went smoothly. After a difficult patch with the camera I think we recovered well and although we needed a couple of practice shoots they were helpful towards the end product as they covered some confusion. I think we all did well on our job roles and worked very well as a team. It was very good experience for me as I did several things from setting up, to problem solving and I always enjoy being the floor manager on shoots.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Production Diary- Rehearsals
On the 11th January we had to rehears for our programmes which we had been planning for the 8 weeks. During the past 8 weeks me and my team had been planning all aspects of our show from studio setup, props, production team and the programme idea.
We came in at 9:30am and began setting up the studio for the first groups programmes. It didn't take us long to setup but there was some confusion on which group was going to shoot first because a couple of groups weren't ready. We didn't have our VT ready so we decided we would figure out how long it lasted and improvise as it wasn't being streamed online, it didn't matter. Setting up took us up to lunch and after we came back we began with the first group. For this group I was going to be on camera one, which was good for me because I could get to watch the other group and try to pick up on their mistakes and try not to make them my self. I found that there was a lot of confusion between the presenters and the director because the presenter never knew when the VT was rolling and also there was a few problems with the teleprompter as the presenter was finding it hard to read with the light in her eyes.
It was difficult being a camera operator because of all that confusion I think the director himself was confused as everything wasn't going to plan. We realised that we weren't really ready and had to use these rehearsals to prepare us for next week as that was our assessment day. When the second group came on I didn't have a job role so I sat in the gallery to get a taste of what it's like in there when they cut to VT and see what it looks like as a programme would on television. The direction is usually good but the problem we have is that the presenters don't know when we cut to VT so after they finish reading off the teleprompter they have a confused look on there face. This I believe could be easily avoided by the director informing the floor manager that they were rolling VT and to ask the presenter to prepare for the next part of the show.
Our group was last and when it came to our turn most of the people had left to either go home or go to the library to do some work. This meant that we were only left with two camera men and only one guest so we couldn't really rehears our show. We still went through with it as we used the time to rehears what our programme would look like. So we decided on which shots we would use and if we would have one of the cameras on track or not. We went through the practice shot for our own benefit and decided it was well timed and began setting up props for the studio as well. We were now ready for next week and the only thing we had to do was put together the VT for our show. I was confident as a floor manager and also confident that our show would look good and run smoothly.
We came in at 9:30am and began setting up the studio for the first groups programmes. It didn't take us long to setup but there was some confusion on which group was going to shoot first because a couple of groups weren't ready. We didn't have our VT ready so we decided we would figure out how long it lasted and improvise as it wasn't being streamed online, it didn't matter. Setting up took us up to lunch and after we came back we began with the first group. For this group I was going to be on camera one, which was good for me because I could get to watch the other group and try to pick up on their mistakes and try not to make them my self. I found that there was a lot of confusion between the presenters and the director because the presenter never knew when the VT was rolling and also there was a few problems with the teleprompter as the presenter was finding it hard to read with the light in her eyes.
It was difficult being a camera operator because of all that confusion I think the director himself was confused as everything wasn't going to plan. We realised that we weren't really ready and had to use these rehearsals to prepare us for next week as that was our assessment day. When the second group came on I didn't have a job role so I sat in the gallery to get a taste of what it's like in there when they cut to VT and see what it looks like as a programme would on television. The direction is usually good but the problem we have is that the presenters don't know when we cut to VT so after they finish reading off the teleprompter they have a confused look on there face. This I believe could be easily avoided by the director informing the floor manager that they were rolling VT and to ask the presenter to prepare for the next part of the show.
Our group was last and when it came to our turn most of the people had left to either go home or go to the library to do some work. This meant that we were only left with two camera men and only one guest so we couldn't really rehears our show. We still went through with it as we used the time to rehears what our programme would look like. So we decided on which shots we would use and if we would have one of the cameras on track or not. We went through the practice shot for our own benefit and decided it was well timed and began setting up props for the studio as well. We were now ready for next week and the only thing we had to do was put together the VT for our show. I was confident as a floor manager and also confident that our show would look good and run smoothly.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Blog 6- Ricardo
Studio Setup
The final week before the main rehearsals we came together as a group and discussed what our studio would look like on the day of our shoot. We decided because the topic was the collaboration between music and media students we would place props such as music instruments and filming equipment on the table and floor. Although we had curtains behind the presenter and guests we decided we would use a board as well as we could attach some props to it like music posters. Instead of two chairs we wanted to use a sofa to give the programme more of a chat show feel and it would make our guests more comfortable when talking. For the presenter we decided to use a red chair to make it stand out so we know who the presenter is and it looked better than the normal chairs. We also completed our group paperwork, which was the running order, signal pathways and the programme proposal. We were ready for next week when we were going to rehears our full programme.
Blog 5- Ricardo
Trial Interviews
This week we began testing interviews and interview techniques. As practice we also interviewed one of the music students that came to film their music video. We practiced setting up the cameras as well as the clip microphone which was a radio mic. We had to make sure the frequency on the radio and the receiver were both the same otherwise the sound operator would not hear anything. If there is more than one clip microphone involved then we would have to make sure that both receivers were on different frequencies to avoid any interference between the microphones. We can also use the boom microphone to interview a subject because clip microphones are very sensitive and if we're outside it would be better to use a boom microphone and attach a softy to it.
This week we began testing interviews and interview techniques. As practice we also interviewed one of the music students that came to film their music video. We practiced setting up the cameras as well as the clip microphone which was a radio mic. We had to make sure the frequency on the radio and the receiver were both the same otherwise the sound operator would not hear anything. If there is more than one clip microphone involved then we would have to make sure that both receivers were on different frequencies to avoid any interference between the microphones. We can also use the boom microphone to interview a subject because clip microphones are very sensitive and if we're outside it would be better to use a boom microphone and attach a softy to it.
Blog 4- Ricardo
Teleprompter
We rehearsed setting up the teleprompter today for our news packages. We all took turns typing up a script on the teleprompter for the news presenter to read off. We had to screw the teleprompter onto the tripod and make sure it was the right height for the presenter to read off. We also took turns reading off the teleprompter because some of us were going to be presenters for other students programmes. We had a few issues when setting it up because we didn't have the right lead and also the laptop would not switch on so we had no way of setting it up. But once everything was ready we began typing scripts and recording the presenters as well.
We rehearsed setting up the teleprompter today for our news packages. We all took turns typing up a script on the teleprompter for the news presenter to read off. We had to screw the teleprompter onto the tripod and make sure it was the right height for the presenter to read off. We also took turns reading off the teleprompter because some of us were going to be presenters for other students programmes. We had a few issues when setting it up because we didn't have the right lead and also the laptop would not switch on so we had no way of setting it up. But once everything was ready we began typing scripts and recording the presenters as well.
Blog 3- Ricardo
Setup Rehearsals
In the third week we we rehearsing studio set up. As a group we had to set up the studio including, cameras, tripods including track/dolly, clip/boom microphones, vision mixer and sound mixer including the tricaster and monitors. We all took turns in setting up each piece of equipment so we all know how to do it if we had a certain role in the studio. We knew which equipment had issues with them and we labeled them. The talkback had a few issues with them because only one of the headsets were able to talk to the director and we decided that it would be the one that the floor manager would use. Also one of the cameras have a dodgy cable connection and the camera would only project an image onto the monitors if someone messed about with the cable and then taped the cable to the camera.
In the third week we we rehearsing studio set up. As a group we had to set up the studio including, cameras, tripods including track/dolly, clip/boom microphones, vision mixer and sound mixer including the tricaster and monitors. We all took turns in setting up each piece of equipment so we all know how to do it if we had a certain role in the studio. We knew which equipment had issues with them and we labeled them. The talkback had a few issues with them because only one of the headsets were able to talk to the director and we decided that it would be the one that the floor manager would use. Also one of the cameras have a dodgy cable connection and the camera would only project an image onto the monitors if someone messed about with the cable and then taped the cable to the camera.
Blog 2- Ricardo
Research
The next week we researched other television and news
programmes in order to look at how they were being filmed and also gather some
ideas from them. What we looked out for was the opening, how they cut to the VT and closing of the show.
In this video the presenter, who is also the on-scene news reporter is explaining how news is reported within the video itself. Usually before the presenter there is some animation, which then cuts straight to the studio and the presenter introduces the topic. After the opening it cuts to some VT and then the on-scene news presenter is either stood still or walking while explaining more on the topic. After some more VT the graphics are included with some shots of interviews with the public and also an interview with someone who has been effected by the topic. The programme either ends in the studio with the presenter or with a shot of something after the news reported gone of the screen.
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