Broadcast

Question 1

Above the line definition

Answer 1

People who drive the show’s look and feel

Question 2

Below the line definition

Answer 2

Technical people who set up and operate equipment

Question 3

Above the line - positions

Answer 3

Producer
Director
Associate Director
Broadcast Associate
Talent
Runners

Question 4

Below the line - positions

Answer 4

Production Mixer - A1
Audio Assist - A2
Sub Mixer
Technical Director
Cameramen
Video Replay - Tape Ops
Video Ops
Graphic/Font Ops
Chief Engineer - EIC
Maintenance Engineers

Question 5

Producer

Answer 5

Responsible for overall content of show. Interacts with on-air talent (communicates cues) and various below the line crew

Question 6

Director

Answer 6

Calls camera shots, tape replays, music cues - direction of show based on producer’s vision. Preps crew with cues ‘stand by on X’s mic…’ then gives the go ahead ‘and open his mic now’

Question 7

Associate Director

Answer 7

Responsible for timings of show elements such as features, video packages, and they interact with broadcast centre for commercial counts to and from break. They do countdowns for when the show is going on air/off air or when a pre-recorded segment is about to end

Question 8

Broadcast Associate

Answer 8

Mainly responsible for the content of the graphics

Question 9

Talent

Answer 9

On-air personalities - host of a show, announcers

Question 10

Runners

Answer 10

Do the leg work in getting items, a gopher

Question 11

Production Mixer - A1

Answer 11

Mixer, person behind the show’s main audio console. Responsible for organising the audio aspect of a show. Decides mic placement and what mics are used. Etc

Question 12

Audio Assist - A2

Answer 12

Handles tasks outside of the audio control room to carry out A1’s plans. Installs cable and hardware - mics & headsets - makes sure everything is properly connected with control room

Question 13

Sub Mixer

Answer 13

When a lot of audio sources are happening, a submixer works in a separate audio control room, premixing certain sources for A1.

Question 14

Technical Director - TD

Answer 14

Responsible for switching the video portion of the show; video equivalent of audio mix engineer. Handles tech aspects related to video portion of show. Sits next to director and takes cues from him/her as what camera to put on air, etc

Question 15

Cameramen

Answer 15

Responsible for capturing the visual live action so a director can cut it live into the show or provide footage for replays

Question 16

Video Replays - Tape Ops

Answer 16

They talk w PD if they have a great shot to replay, and then wait for Dir to cue them when it should be played

Question 17

Video Operators

Answer 17

Responsible for troubleshooting any issues related to getting signal from camera back to production truck

Question 18

Graphics/Font Operators

Answer 18

Responsible for creating and inputting text or graphical info that is inserted into a show, aka font or score machines. Graphics are layered over the main video in process aka keying

Question 19

Chief Engineer - EIC

Answer 19

In charge of the tech operation of the facility and leader of maintenance engineers, ensuring all equipment operates properly

Question 20

Maintenance Engineers

Answer 20

Repair and maintain the video and audio equipment

Question 21

Production Control Room - PCR

Answer 21

PD, Dir, TD, AD, PAs, and variety of execs sit in this room. Wall of video monitors showing all available video sources

Question 22

Audio Control Room - ACR

Answer 22

A1 workspace. Houses audio console, monitoring and external processing. Main speakers for program mix, and smaller speakers used for isolating the PD and Dir calls, and then other speakers for PFL

Question 23

Tape Room

Answer 23

Tape Ops workspace. Houses monitors and remote controllers for video playback machines. Mostly non-linear tapeless systems. Audio feeds are recorded and played back from this room

Question 24

Video Room

Answer 24

Where video techs shade cameras and has most accurate video monitors available

Question 25

Remote Trucks

Answer 25

Rolling version of conventional production environment

Question 26

Atmosphere

Answer 26

Similar to live sound - there is no take 2. Things must happen immediately, problems must be solved quickly, and things can change at a moment’s notice

Question 27

Urgency

Answer 27

Live broadcast follows a defined schedule and you must be ready when show goes on air - it will not wait for you

Question 28

Thoroughness

Answer 28

Be thorough in setting up, complete job in timely manner so if there are any changes, additions, or failures, there is time to address them

Question 29

Preparation

Answer 29

Find out everything you can about the show before showing up. How many talent, how many tape machines, will there be a remote coming in, etc. PREP IS KEY

Question 30

Documentation

Answer 30

Map of the show. Show starts with tech book prepped by tech manager which has all requirements of the show (# of cameras, video playback devices, on-air talent. From tech book, A1 creates audio book

Question 31

Stress Management

Answer 31

High tension and emotions because you only have one chance to do it right. Think calmly!

Question 32

Personal Interaction

Answer 32

In order to work well, a good working relationship with PD and Dir. Communicate well, and be cordial with fellow technicians

Question 33

Command Respond Release

Answer 33

For A1, learning to listen to several audio sources, including Dir/PD, etc while you mix is critical. Learn to filter what you need/don’t need. Hearing a command from PD/Dir, responding to command, releasing that command once executed, and moving on to the next command is critical