Chapter 3 tv production

What is the most central item in a television studio?

The camera

Aperture

The opening, adjusted by the iris, through which light passes into the lens.

Auto focus

A common feature on consumer cameras that keeps only the center of the picture in focus.

auto iris circuit

feature on many consumer and professional cameras that automatically examines the light levels coming into the camera and adjusts the iris according to generic standards of a "good" picture.

camcorder

A portable camera/recorder combination.

camera control unit (CCU)

A piece of equipment that controls various attributes of the video signal sent from the camera to the video recorder, and is usually placed in the control room or the master control room. Also commonly called a remote control unit (RCU).

camera head

The portion of the video camera that contains all the electronics needed to convert the reflection of light from the subject into an electronic signal.

charge coupled device (ccd)

A component of the camera head in which light enters and is converted into an electronic, or video, signal. The video signal exits on the opposite side of the CCD and enters the rest of the camera.

CMOS sensor

A component of the camera head into which light enters and is converted into an electronic, or video, signal.

convertible camera

A camera with a variety of accessory packages available to make it operational in a studio, as a portable field camera, or both.

diopter adjustment

A knob or lever that adjusts the magnifier on the viewfinder to compensate for differences in vision.

dolly

A three-wheeled cart onto which the feet of a tripod are mounted. A dolly allows smooth camera movements to be performed.

drag

Resistance to movement created by tripod head mount.

dslr camera

A digital camera that combines the interchangeable optics and mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor, as opposed to using photographic film

fast lens

A camera lens that can produce a large aperture and let a great deal of light into the camera.

fluid head

A mounting assembly on some tripods that stabilizes the camera using the pressure between two pieces of metal and a thick fluid that provides additional resistance to movement.

focal length

The distance (measured in millimeters) from the focal point of the lens assembly to the back of the lens assembly.

focal point

The physical location within the lens assembly where an image is inverted. Also commonly called the optical center.

focus

The act of rotating the focus ring on a camera lens until the lines of contrast in the image are as sharp as possible.

friction head

A mounting assembly on some tripods that stabilizes the camera using the pressure created when two pieces of metal are squeezed together by a screw.

f stop

A lens setting that determines the amount of light passing through the lens by controlling the size of the iris.

hot

The state of a video camera when the image captured by the camera is being recorded.

iris

A component of a lens that is comprised of blades that physically expand and contract, adjusting the aperture size.

jib

A type of camera mount that allows the camera to be raised high over the set and swung in any direction.

lens

An assembly of several glass discs placed in a tube attached to the front of the camera.

monopod

A single support pole used for vertical stability in both photography and videography.

pan handle

A device attached to the back of the tripod head that allows the camera operator to move the tripod head while standing behind the tripod.

pedestal column

column in the center of a tripod used to raise or lower the camera.

pedestral control

A crank on the side of the pedestal column that twists a gear to raise and lower the pedestal column.

rear lens control

A controller, attached to the pan handles, that allows the camera operator to manipulate the camera lens while standing behind the camera.

shutter

A circuit on a video camera that regulates how long the CCD is exposed to light coming through the lens.

slider

A motion control system that utilizes a track on which a camera is mounted and moved across from side to side to emulate the look of a dolly move.

slow lens

A lens that produces a small aperture and lets little light into the camera.

studio camera

A television camera placed on a tripod or studio pedestal for exclusive use within the studio.

studio pedestal

A large, single column on wheels that supports the camera and is pneumatically or hydraulically controlled.

target

Photosensitive surface of a charge coupled device (CCD).

tripod

A three-legged stand that supports a camera. Also commonly called sticks.

tripod head

The assembly at the top of the pedestal column to which the camera attaches.

variable focal length lens

A camera lens in which the optical center can vary its position within the lens assembly, varying the focal length measurement as well. Also called a zoom lens.

viewfinder

A small video monitor attached to the camera that allows the camera operator to view the images in the shot.

zebra stripes

A special function of some viewfinders that displays black and white diagonal stripes on any object in a shot that is too brightly lit.

zoom in (zi)

The act of rotating a ring on the zoom lens so that the center of the picture appears to be moving toward the camera. Also called tighten.

zoom lens

The particular piece of glass within the lens assembly that moves forward and back, magnifying or shrinking the image accordingly. This individual lens is the focal point, or optical center, of the zoom lens assembly.

zoom lens assembly

Camera lens assembly that is capable of magnifying an image merely by twisting one of the rings on the outside of the lens housing. Also commonly called a variable focal length lens.

zoom out (ZO)

The act of rotating a ring on the zoom lens so that the center of the picture appears to be moving away from the camera. Also called widen.

Identify the challenges and benefits involved in using hand-held camera shooting.

Challenges: The camera operator's arms tire quickly-the heavier the camera is, the faster this happens.

Even if the camera is hand-held for a short time, the shot moves with every rise and fall of the operator's chest while breathing.

Benefits: the operator does not need to carry and set up a heavy tripod.

What is the size of the studio camera

very large and too heavy to be used as a remote camera in the field.

Why are studio cameras placed on a tripod?

due to its size

How is smooth camera movement provided for studio cameras?

the feet of the tripod are placed into a three wheeled cart called a dolly

What if studio pedestals are taken out the studio?

There will be issues due to its size and weight so don’t do this.

What is the CCU?

A piece of equipment that controls various attributes of the video signal sent from the camera to the video recorder, and is usually placed in the control room or the master control room. Also commonly called a remote control unit (RCU).

Why is the CCU’s signals manipulated?

to match the signals from all cameras involved in the shoot.

size of a camcorder

professional ones are lightweight, portable cameras but not quite as small as consumer ones.

What makes DSLR cameras popular?

their aqbility to produce stunning HD video in addition to taking high resolution photographs

three major parts of a camera

camerahead

viewfinder

camera lens

what was the imaging device in cameras in the early days of TV?

a vacuum tube

what is a lens turret?

several different lens attached to a wheel in early cameras

What is important to know about auto focus?

The most important items should not be placed in the center of a frame in a shot, therefore auto focus should be turned off.

for camera heads, what happens to the incoming lights?

it is split, usually by a prism, into individual red, blue, and green beams. it hits the target

How many viewfinders does a camcorder have and what are they?

there is two.

one small fold out screen on the side of the camera head

the other is usually much smaller (only an inch measured diagonally) and is a fixed part of a camera body

what is a lens turret?

several different cameras attached to a wheel on early cameras

when and when should you not use the word “focus”?

when dealing with a picture that is blurry and in need of focus adjustment.

never use focus when you mean zoom.

important to know about zoom shots

does not provide the same effect as a shot where the camera moves directly toward the subject/ dolly shots

how many movable rings on a professional camera lens assembly?

at least three

focusing ring

furthest away from the camera body. this ring adjusts the focus of the image in the frame of the picture.

zoom ring

in the middle of the lens assembly and moves the zoom lens forward and backwards.

f stop ring

ring nearest to the camera. external indicator of the amount of light passing through the

two basic ways to support a camera while in use

Hand-held shooting

Tripod shooting

when two pieces of metal are squeezed together by a screw

the camera is stabilized by the pressure

two types of tripod heads available

friction head

fluid head

pan handles

allow the operator to perform camera movements while the camera is mounted to the tripod head

tripod head

located on top of the legs and pedestal column of the tripod, and includes the mounting plate or wedge.

rear controller

allows the camera operator to control camera functions without having to take his or her hands away from the control arm of the tripod.

jib arm

allows the camera to be raised high above the set and swung in any direction

firm rules about cleaning lenses

Never touch a lens with your bare fingers.

Never use a cloth or tissue moistened with saliva to wipe a lens clean.

Saliva ruins the lens.

Wipe dirt away using photographic lens paper only.

Use compressed air from a can to blow the dirt off a lens.

Never try to blow the dirt off with your breath.

How should studio cameras and camcorders be stored?

While not in use, both studio cameras and camcorders should be stored in a protected and temperature-controlled location.

Guidelines for care of a camcorder:

Remove the recording media from the camera, if present, and label it properly. Close the iris and attach the lens cap.

Power-off all the camera functions (light, microphone, recorder).

Detach the camera from the tripod when transporting the equipment.

Remove batteries from the camera, if present.

Place the camera in its case for storage and transport

Guidelines for care of a studio camera:

Lock the pedestal and camera mounting head to prevent movement while not in use. Close the iris and attach the lens cap. Move the camera to a safe location within the studio.

disbenefits of monopod

lack the stability for horizontal support due to the simple fact that they do not have two additional legs that a tripod does.

where are monopods often seen?

sidelines of sporting events

benefits of monopod

access to an overhead angle or shots that you would not capture otherwise. great for getting your camera above a crowd to capture a shot.