BCST 1120 Multicamera Directing

Multicamera Directing

• Director is responsible for everything going on during a show

• Multicamera show = Live Editing

• As a Director, you tell your own story.

Fundamentals of Directing

• A show should have a Beginning, Middle and End.

• Know your options (eg. Cameras, Audios and Video Sources)

• Be aware of your crew’s limitations

• Plan one step ahead

During the Show

• The show will be as good as your relationship with the crew

• Treat others and how you’d like others to treat you

• Remember that all positions are important.

Pre Visualization

• Know what’s happening in the show

• Visualize shots and angles from each camera

• Know your crews limitations

• Use shots to enhance content

Set up

Blocking

• Decide where best to position your cameras

• Determine what each camera is shooting

• Compose the shots with the camera operators

• Should be able to call out preplanned shots with camera operators

Talent

• Where is the best place for the talent to be positioned

• Do not cross the action axis (180 degree rule)

• Know how the talent will interact

• Ensure that the camera can cover everything that the talent will be doing.

Calling the Show

• Be precise in language

• “Ready 1, Take 1”

• “Standby” non camera sources

  • eg: Server, Music, CG, Talent

Calling Transitions

• Say the source then the transition

• If no transition was specified, the TD will assume it will be a cut.

Communication with Crew

• Keep chatter to a minimum

• Indicate who you are and who you are talking to

• Never swear or talk shit about someone over the intercom

Communication with Talent

• Via the floor director

• Other crew should not be relying information to talent incase of mixed messages

Pacing

• cuts must be motivated

• Don’t cut too often

• Show a wide shot every once in a while to re establish the viewer of the layout of the set.

• Viewers don’t always need to see a medium shot when someone talks

When to use dissolves

• helps with pacing

• to/ from

  • Server sources

  • the sting shot

  • b-roll

During the Show

• stay on step ahead and know where you’re going next

• Watch and listen to your show

• keep your eyes on the monitors

Studio 1 Live Positions

• Host

• Guest

• Director

  • gets proposal from demonstrator, plans angles to cover demonstrations

• AD

  • test clock system

• TD

  • Checks that technical components are ready and working properly

  • Pick commercial break spots

  • Set up ME1 (Green screen camera + Background)

  • Turn off all control room monitors except for trickster

• Floor Director

  • Moves barriers, chairs out of the way

  • Studio floor swept before first show and after last show

  • Set up table

  • Floor monitors connected

  • Set up green screen

  • Disconnect and store floor monitor

  • Ensure everyone does their tasks

  • assigns studio floor to be swept.

• Audio Operator

  • Gets music cues from Edit Share

  • Cover Midas console with dust cover

  • Shut down Audio Control 1 (basically everything)

  • final count of all intercom belt packs and headsets in the cabinet, ensure batteries are removed and put on charge.

• Audio Assist

  • Set up Pliant wireless intercom system and Midas stagebox

  • Distribute belt packs, headsets and batteries

  • Test batteries right before the actual show

  • Disconnect all mice, could audio cables, remove batteries and put on chargers

• Graphics

  • Works with Director and TD to create name kets for all talent, show titles, end titles

  • Turn off CG computer and power down CG monitors

• Cameras

  • Set up and configure cameras in viewfinders, intercom, tally, etc and connect to wall fans panels. Checks studio lighting is up.

  • Disconnect from wall panels, remove batteries

  • Camera returned to storage, batteries back to Ops

  • Green screen and grip gear packed up

  • Turn off LED lighting fixtures and board