1. STOB - Studio Termination Outlet Box – connects sound sources to the audio mixer

2. Tally Light - Shows whether the camera is filming or not

3. VU Meter - Volume Meter for measuring sound

4. Cans - Headsets for contact with all opps

5. Lighting Grid – metal bars used to suspend lights from ceiling

6. Boom – Mics on end of a pole used on audiences

7. MCU - Medium Close Up – a camera shot that shows head and upper chest area.

8. Eyeline - Eyes on the top third of the camera screen

9. Crab - Camera moving left or right

10. Sound Desk – Used for adjusting sound levels of talent and audience

Evaluation

In our live TV quiz assignment there was a lot of areas of which we had to cover in a rather shot space of time.

During the course of the assignment there were a number of responsibilities which had to be carried out and dealt with. These were making a solid script along with questions and VT inserts, producing a fully finished set and seating, finding the talent, producing opening graphics, music and titles. Out of all of those tasks listed I was involved in all with the exception of the opening graphics and making the whole script.

Overall I feel my contribution was rather effective. My effectiveness was shown in the early stages of pre-production when our groups were brainstorming ideas for the round I came up with a lot of ideas and my creativity was praised by Jon Saward, also when thinking of questions to wrap the round up I contributed well. Furthermore I had to gather two VT inserts in the form of mp3 for our movie themed audio clips. In addition to this I was also useful in building the set and raised seating for the audience, often working when others were not. I helped to find the talent by suggesting we use someone from performing arts for the host, and that we split into groups and approach other media groups to see if they wanted to take part as panellists. I feel I could have spent more time on doing the VT inserts – e.g. making them sound better by editing them differently.

I learnt mainly practical skills in this project. For example use of multi-camera techniques – e.g. the correct terms for camera movement around the studio (e.g. crabbing, pan, tilt, etc.), also how to use the vision mixer and sound desk. I also learnt how to use the space in the studio effectively; by arranging it at an angle so we could use a greater variety of shots. This also made me more aware of health and safety issues – e.g. ease of access in case of fire. I already had most of the skills I needed for my work on the music and VT inserts. I struggled with the skills needed in making scripts – for example I struggled to estimate the duration of questions.

Overall the technical quality of our video was probably average. The quality of the images was mostly good, apart from a few camera wobbles. Some of the VT images were not high enough resolution. Sound quality was affected by the host shouting - causing the volume meter to peak. Some of the guests were too quiet too. Lighting was good, although some felt the blue on the set should have been darker. I can’t comment on the editing as I have not seen the final edited version yet.

I think that overall we produced a good example of the quiz show genre. Our research into shows like ‘QI’ and ‘Egg Heads’ helped us to understand the genre and to create similar opening titles. I think that if our target is the same sort of people who watch programmes like Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, etc (young adults and older who like quizzes based on popular culture, etc) then the programme would appeal to them.

The studio audience commented that they enjoyed the quiz, but that at times the pace was a bit slow. In future I would brief the host and talent to cut down on the talk between questions to increase the pace.

The things that went well included; the use of a wide range of camera angles and shots, the group’s teamwork and co-operation throughout the project, having a knowledgeable director (Peter) to guide us rather than being thrown in at the deep end, the vision mixing (especially in the second half of the show when they were quick to react to the directors commands), and both floor managers were well organised (e.g. quick and efficient to give instructions.)

Areas that did not go so well, and would need to be improved in future: Sound levels - the host kept shouting, if we had taken levels before the show but only asked the talent to speak in normal voice, if we had known he would shout we could have turned his mic down when needed. However, some of the guests were too quiet once the show started. They were loud enough in the sound check,but went quiet when the show started. We should have auditioned the guests before to make sure they were not going to be camera shy. Also the sound ‘crackled’ at times when the audience cheered so the audience mics should have been lower. It seems our sound check was not thorough enough to pick up these things. Also the air conditioning was also being picked up on the mics but we could not control this.

The VTs kept being cut short due to incorrect duration times on the script and gaps between each insert was too short. In future we could make the gaps a bit longer and try to measure the expected duration times more accurately. Also when audio tracks were being played it switched to the show’s logo when it should have stayed on the studio. This only happened in the first half, so the director should have been told whether it was an audio or video clip. The vision mixer should also know not to switch over. There was also a big gap between the host’s cue line and the VT starting. The person on the DVD player should keep closer track of the script in future.

As I said above there was too much talking between the talent and the host that was not relevant to the quiz which affected the pace of the show. The host did not make eye contact with the camera, and was often confused by the cue cards (covering up his face and/or his mic.) The talent and the host were often distracted by seeing themselves on the monitors, and were trying too hard to be funny (this led to them talking over each other,) and kept spinning on their chairs making it harder for the cameras to focus on them. In future we should have a rehearsal with the actual contestants and host (using different questions) so that we could advise them about staying focussed, about what sort of comments are expected for the show’s genre, and to get to them used to a studio environment. It would also have been useful to be able to communicate with the host so we could advise him to stay on course.

Finally, it would have helped if we had known our roles earlier, as this would have given us the chance to practise and prepare for them more thoroughly.

Overall I think our TV quiz went very well considering it was our first attempt. I have acquired a lot of new skills and understanding which will hopefully be useful if future projects.

Analyse and Report on Live TV Shows Essay

In this essay I shall be comparing two different live TV shows: Question Time and Mock the Week.

Firstly Question Time. In this programme the studio size varies week to week as they are in different locations around the UK. In each episode they usually are in schools or village halls, but the edition I watched was in a very large studio.

There was tiered seating which could possibly hold between 140 to 150 capacity. The set for this is a large semi-circled screen with a curved desk in front which forms the top part of a large letter “Q”. The desk has been raised up on a plinth which has ramped sides for easy access. On the Letter “Q”, which the desk is placed on, there is the show’s current weeks’ location. This week was London. This cleverly structured set allows numerous flexible camera angles to offer the director. However this set is not permanent due to the various locations used. In my opinion the set may take quite a bit of time to set and strike.

In the studio there were a number of different shots. I estimate that there were roughly 6 cameras in the filming of the edition. There appeared to be 4 moving cameras, 1 fixed behind the audience and 1 on what seems like a crane.

During the filming of question time probably 10 Microphones were used. There were 6 clipped radio mics on the panellists, 2 boom mics for the audience when asking questions and finally possibly 2 mics above the audience for rounds of applauses and laughs etc.

Mise en scene was quite basic. Only really the decanters and matching glasses of water and matching note pads were in shot at all times.

The lighting rig is all fixed and requires no moving spotlights etc. It is also a large lighting rig consisting of 20 plus lights pointing at the audience as well as the talent and set.

The crew for this production would consist of near 20 members as there are so many cameras and other crucial rolls to be covered. My guess is there will be about 12 camera opps, floor managers, sound opps, etc.

This is all filmed in a TV studio but other weeks an OB truck would definitely be needed as they travel all over the country.

During the course of the hour long show a wide range of shots were used such as wide shots, pan shots, medium close ups, high angle shots, over shoulder, wide shots of audience, over shoulder of audience, 2 shots, 3 shots and even 4 shots.

The making of the show would only really consist of typical health and safety issues, for example trip hazards and fire hazards from hot lights.

The genre of the overall show is current affairs. The audience members ask all the questions which the panel have to answer and discuss further in to great detail. Each week each of the three main political parties are represented plus other well known public figures. It sticks to a rigid format even though the questions and answers are not known before. This means the show is hardly scripted. The tone throughout Question Time is kept formal but occasionally they do make light hearted, “humorous” remarks. The host’s role in all this is to make sure that every panellist has a chance to speak when they wish. But there is a certain time restriction to ensure the programme keeps up the pace and finishes on time.

The start of Question Time starts with the host speaking a little towards the camera for roughly 15 seconds. Then this is smoothly followed by the opening titles and graphics. The main graphic seen is a giant “Q” spinning around. The theme tune is familiar and easily recognized when played.

The show’s format is a traditional topical debate. It has not changed very much over time since the very first episode. Question Time has been running for 30 years now and is based on the “Any Questions” radio debate show.

The target audience for this programme is mainly adults who take an interest in current affairs and politics.

Mock the Week has a number of differences to Question Time. With this programme they have used a large TV studio. This consists of roughly 200 capacity from tiered seating. The set is split into two separate sections - a performance area for the stand up comedians to show off their material by answering questions, which has a larger TV screen behind it, and an area with a semi-circled desk for the main quiz to be held which has another TV screen behind the host. Sat around the desk are two teams of three and the host sat in the middle. The back drop of the set consists of the colour red and blue mainly. With such a large set there are many camera angles and shots to offer so there is flexibility to the studio. Because the set is in a studio and the programme is a long running series the set is most likely to be permanent.

On the studio floor there is roughly 5 cameras, 4 of which are moveable, one will be fixed and another one which seems to be either on a crane or just up high on a platform.

The talent along with the host have clipped radio mics on as they are all on the move throughout the show, walking back and forth to the performance area, however on the performance areas there is also a free standing hand held radio mic which they use when its there chance. There would probably also be 1 or 2 mics hanging down for the audience applauses and laughs.

The lighting for the show would be very large as it is shot in a full scale professional studio; all the lights are fixed, none seem to be moving.

There are not many shots used in the programme, when they are seated at the desk there is really only medium close ups, wide shots, high angle and 3 shots. But when they are in the performance area we see 3 shots, wide shots, high angle and medium shots.

The same health and safety applies to Mock the Week as Question Time because they are both filmed in similar locations.

Mock the Week is a topical quiz show. Each week the format features similar rounds (e.g. ‘Headliners’, ‘Scenes We’d Like to See’) with the talent giving humorous answers. The show appears to be improvised, but I believe that they have rehearsals, and some idea of the questions that will be asked.

The presenter has an informal tone (sometimes even swearing) and makes a lot of humorous comments himself. His role is to ask the questions, keep the pace up and keep track of the scores.

The title sequence features humorous fake news headlines in different styles (e.g. newspapers, news channels, internet, mobile phones, etc.) and ends with a TV transmission mast on top of a globe made out of newspapers with “Mock the Week” in large letters on it. The theme tune is “News of World” by The Jam.

I think the audience range from young adults to older people. The audience probably needs to be quite aware of current affairs, but even people who are not could still enjoy it.

Tasks That I Have Undertaken

During the course of the weeks leading up to the show i have been contributing with various tasks.

These include:

Week 1
- Helped with content for round
- Edited audio tracks for my round

Week 2
- Made a theme song
- Started script

Week 3
- Lugged set around the college
- Sorting final script
- Finding our host and contestants

Week 4
- Helping make cue cards
- Designed a set and gathered images etc..
- Went to town twice for screws
- Building & painting set
- Building Raised seating & placing chairs
- Assistant Director working alongside Peter

Elements of Health and Safety

In and around the studio there are a majority of heath and safety risks.
We have to be able to name the Hazard think of the Risks the Level of the risk and what Actions and Precautions we will have to undertake.

Some example of this are:

Hazard - The Flats
Risk - Falling down (could cause injuries of any scale)
Risk Level - High
Actions/ Precautions - Screw all the braces in & check the stability.

or

Hazard - Lights Over Heating
Risk - Can explode or spark causing fire (could cause severe injuries)
Risk Level - High
Actions/ Precautions - Do not leave on for long periods of time and check through out the day.

Talkback & CANS

Talkback is mainly used by the director to contact the cameras opps and also the sound mixers. CANS are one eared headsets which the camera opps wear. This enables them to hear whats going on on the floor and what the director wants them to do. The director can hear everything through speakers this is purely so its clearer to hear.

VU Meter

A Volume Meter is a traffic light coloured indicator which shows the levels of sound you are recording. The meter is measured in db (decibels). The Perfect levels for spoken word is between -18db & -9db, this is to allow a gap if the person is speaking slightly louder than normal, it allows room to go a bit louder without it peaking to much. A normal Volume Meter is going up but the one shown is going left to right. The are two seperate levels on it, this is for a stereo output. This is if you are recording as live you will get a better sounding/ better quality of audio.