Studio Production | Research ~ SP

To start the unit off, I thought I would do some research on the genre of studio production itself. This will help me prepare for our production, and also it will give me some background as to how it should be run and what a professional studio production is like.

At the start of every studio production, the TV studio is a big empty room with the lighting grid on the ceiling. In order for the production to come to life, everything has to be designed, but and transferred into the studio. This includes the lights, the set and other equipment like the cameras, etc. The studios themselves are usually sound proofed, have high ceilings and large access doors so the set and equipment can be easily loaded in and out of the studio. This is usually called the loading dock, as it is in the studio we will be using.
The studio floor is where the show takes place and where the audience will sit, if there is one.

Everything outside the studio floor is where the crew other than the camera operators and floor manager are sat throughout the show. They are usually sat in various galleries behind the scenes.

• The Lights are controlled in the light gallery.
• The sound is mixed and the sound effects are played through the grams operator in the sound gallery.
• The show is directed from the production gallery.
• This is where the director, producer, script supervisor (aka the production assistant) and the vision mixer are based throughout rehearsals and the actual production.

The gallery and the studio floor are connected through talkback systems, which are also known as intercom systems. This means that everyone on the floor and all of the crew can hear the instructions coming from the director and the count down from the personal assistant.

The director coordinates the camera operators to get shots that are needed for the show, while the vision mixer cuts the shots together using the TX monitor. The producer is in charge of the editorial content of the show while the PA makes sure the filming runs to schedule.
Normally, crews can often consist of 50 people or more with camera, cranes and other equipments that will be moving around the whole studio.

Ed Sharpe, who was the floor manager for the show 'Sam & Mark's Big Friday Wind-Up' on CBBC, says "as long as everyone communicates clearly and knows what they're doing it can be a really fun environment to work in." Studio shows can be quite stressful, and there may be stressful situations that occur but as long as everyone does what they are supposed to and the communication is good, then the fun can outweigh the stress.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135564



There are a few things that need to be remember when working in a studio environment with a studio crew:

• Keep quiet.
• This is very important during the show itself as the microphones in the studio can pick up unwanted sound.
• Tea breaks should be scheduled - especially on location shoots.
• If there aren't any breaks during the day then the crew will most probably get bored and tired and the working environment won't be as positive as it should be.
• Act quickly and prioritise jobs.
• Stick to doing your own job and not anyone else's.
• Consider safety and implement and follow risk assessments.
• Communicate effectively and work as a team.
• This is really important otherwise the production might suffer.
• Be respectful.
• Of the equipment and the crew.
• Respect the chain of command.
• Look after your guests and communicate to them.
• Watch the schedule.
• Don't go over the time schedule and make sure you get everything done well.

After doing this research I feel a lot more confident with being in a studio environment and I now know how studio productions usually work. I am looking forward to starting our production.