Reflection

After completing a full day of rehearsing and filming Live TV, I now understand how stressful filming Live TV can be.
Firstly the main thing I learnt from this assignment was if you don't prepare everything before hand and check it over to see that it is complete then when it comes to filming on the day, everything doesn't work out the way you hope. The most important task in preparing for filming is to make sure that your running order is as detailed as possible. If you fill it out the running order as detailed as you can then you can pretty much have a smooth running filming session. No matter what it's always best to have your paperwork printed out before hand so on the day of shooting, you can go straight into filming. 

Failing to Plan, is Planning to Fail

Secondly communication is important. No matter what the situation is you should always communicate with your group so the right group member can communicate with the right people to get the best out of your production. If there is no communication between the group members then nobody will know what is going on. Communication is needed to get timings across not only to the floor manager but also to the people performing in the Live TV Production. 

Finally all roles and scripts should be handed out and checked over to make sure they make sense before they are handed. I noticed with most productions that people weren't sure on what they were saying because they rather hadn't been given the information or they hadn't read through it. This is another small issue that can put the whole production behind. If the scripts were read through prior to filming then everybody that would be performing would feel comfortable with what they are saying. 

Overall I learnt that the main thing you have to focus on is Communication because without communication all products wouldn't workout as they wouldn't fit with timings that are being recorded in the gallery. 

Live Aviva Premiership Rugby

Coverage of Action

Being live rugby means that all footage is recorded at the same time, simultaneously. Cameras for filming rugby are dotted all over the stadium so you never really know how many cameras are used. There is normally one fixed camera that films all the Birds Eye View Long Shots/Wide Shots and four fixed corner cameras for the more intense footage, such as scoring a try. Around the outside of the pitch there are usually around 5/6 cameras that move around to get the Medium Close Ups and Close Ups that the fixed cameras cannot get. The most common shot used is the long shot as it shows all the action on the pitch so you don't miss out on any of the action watching it all home.

Communicating Meaning to the Viewer

Live Rugby Matches are constructed in a type sport programme way. The event will start with opening credits then to a presenter who will introduce the guests for the day, back to the presenter who will talk about other live events happening that day, presenter talks to guests about main game, Live VT of Team's dressing room, guest, presenter, first half of match, presenter, guest, VT, presenter, second half of match, presenter, guest, presenter who will reveal other match results before ending the show and closing credits.

Producers and Camera Operates produce meaning in an effective by giving the viewer what they want, to see all action from the pitch on screen.

Visual Style

When watching the Rugby live on Sky Sports, there are many visual styles that we can see. 
Firstly for the whole length of the match the Sky Sports channel logo is in the top corner, whether it be Sky Sports 1/2/3/4. This again is a firm constant reminder of the channel you are watching and if anything you see on the adverts catches your eye it, you will remember what channel you saw it on because of the logo.

Secondly when the producers plan an action replay the Sky Sports logo flashes across the screen to indicate the beginning and ending of the action reply. This again is advertising the channel and it gives the audience a way of understanding the difference between the live match and the action replay. 

Finally the scores for the match and what teams are playing are always in the top left hand corner. This is an easy way for the viewer to know what the score is and what team is winning if they have just tuned into the channel.

Maintaining Viewer Interest

No matter what shot types or shot angles that are used as long as you show as much action as possible there will always be a high level of interest from the viewer although shot types and angles are mainly important. The main job for the producer when producing a live match is to keep the levels of interest high by changing angles and shot types to get different views of the pitch will definitely keep the viewer interested.

Producers are successful in keeping high levels interest in live rugby match's because there is never nothing not going on. There will always be something to film with a rugby match.

Constraints of Location

As long as you have the main five fixed points for camera operators to film from then you will have no obstructions. However when moving around there are many more obstructions to face such as moving fans, mascots and stewards. 

Camera Operators and Producers overcome this by planning where to film before hand. Producers use the location to the best of their availability to film the shots they desire and would use for live television.

The Graham Norton Show (BBC One)

Coverage of Action

All recording for The Graham Norton Show is simultaneous. There are around 8 or 9 cameras used to film the show which gives us various shots throughout the programme, such as Long Shots, Medium Close Ups, Close Ups and Wide Shots. The most common shots used are Close Ups and Long Shots as they the show the most emotion and reactions from all guests and the presenter to the subject and it also gives the viewer a sense of being in the studio audience.

 

Communicating Meaning to the Viewer

The production is constructed in a way that gives you a taste of the action before the show actually starts. The structure is; an introduction from the presenter, opening credits, presenter, guest introduction, presenter, guest, VT, guest, presenter, guest close up, presenter close up ending the link.

Producers are effective showing meaning of entertainment from all aspects of the studio giving the viewer a meaning of laughter. 

Visual Style

From beginning to end the Graham Norton Show logo is behind him as brand identity. This is a constant reminder of what programme you are watching and it means that the longer you see the logo the easier you will remember it and recognise the logo next time you see it. Constantly shows the logo is another form of advertising, if your flicking through channels it catches your eye and makes you want to watch the show. 

During the performance on this particular clip, the visual effects adds a cinema type look to the screen. It makes the screen look slimmer and adds an effect to engage the viewer however when the performance is over the screen changes back to normal to get a fuller viewer of the studio. 

 

Maintaining Viewer Interest

To maintain the viewer's interest in a chat show is harder than most. This is because the show has to be funny to maintain interest from the viewer. The production does this by including different segments to the show that will entertain the viewer at home. Also having a studio audience present at filming proves to the viewer that the programme is funny. 

The main intention from producers of chat shows is to make the levels of interest high. They do this by containing many shots types, not just from the presenters point of view but also from the studio audience point of view. 

Constraints of Location

The Graham Norton Show is filmed in a studio at London Studios, near Waterloo Bridge, London. Being filmed in a studio, with an audience, can be a huge challenge for Camera Operators as the audience can be an obstruction for filming desired camera shots. However Producers and Camera Operators overcome this problem and film footage using Jib Arms that can stretch over the audience to film the shots needed.

Using a purpose built studio means that producers can plan before hand where they want the camera to operate from. It also means that they can practice before hand so if any problems occur they can be changed before last minute. 

This Morning (ITV1)

This Morning is British Daytime Television Programme. The main presenters are Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes with various other presenters that stand in for illness or contribute to other sections of the programme.  

Coverage of Action
In the 5 minute clip all recording is simultaneous due to being an interview. I counted that there was approximately 5 cameras used however there could be more of less. There was a variety of shots used including Pan Shots, Long Shots, Medium Close Ups and Close Ups. The most common shots type used was the Close Ups because it shows the emotion from both the presenters and the actress and it shows the audience the intense feeling of the interview.

Communicating Meaning to the Viewer
This particular interview is constructed in a common interview way; Presenter introducing the actress, shot of actress, presenter asking questions, actress answering questions, a picture with the voiceover of the interview still going on, back to presenter, medium shots of actress, VT again with the interview voiceover, actress then back to the presenter who ends the interview and introduces the next link. 
Other elements used in the interview are the pictures and VTs. The pictures or VTs are usually linked to the interview. In this case the pictures are of the actress and on screen partner. Producers do this to communicate with the viewer to give them a clearer understanding of who the presenters are talking about.

Visual Style

At the beginning of the interview we see our first Visual Style effect, the use of a Twitter Hashtag. Not only is this a visual aid, it's also a call to action to get the viewer joined in on the chat on Twitter. Using a hashtag means that the viewers can all have their opinion on what is being said on the interview. It also gives the audience a chance to have their tweet read out on the programme.

The second visual style they introduce is the effect around a picture. This gives the viewer a different screen to re-focus on. The idea of having the background of the picture like a film strip makes it more believable that it is a picture and relates to the idea of it being a promo shot.

Finally, the channel Logo, ITV, is always displayed in the top left hand corner as a reminder of what channel you are watching and also to not get you mixed up with seeing the interview on any other channel. It also means that the interview cannot be used on any other channel as it is branded/watermarked.

Maintaining Viewer Interest
The production maintains levels of interest by using various shot types and keeping the length of shots down to 3/4 seconds unless or question is being asked or answered. The producers always intend to maintain interest from the viewer because they want to keeping viewing figures up high and want to keep the viewer thinking about outcomes. Producers of This Morning are successful in maintaining interest by always changing shot types, shot angles and the structure of links.

Constraints of Location
This Morning is filmed at the ITV London Television Centre on the South Bank of the River Thames in a purpose built studio. This means that when having rehearsals, Camera Operators can rehearse to as there is no studio audience they have to watch out for. It also means that the setting for the programme never has to be taken down unless they are doing a makeover of the show.

Introduction

For the first part of my assignment I will be looking into four well selected examples of Multi Camera Production. The four examples will be an even selection of Live Events and Studio Productions.
While researching my examples I must explain the reasons being using Multi Camera Techniques:

• Multi-Camera Simultaneous Recording
• Coverage of Action
• Communicating Meaning to the Viewer
• Visual Style
• Maintaining Viewer Interest
• Constraints of Studio or Location Environment

The second part of my assignment is to work in a team to pull all our research together to help produce a 10 minute programme that will explain the use of Multi Camera Techniques. The programme should feature:

• A Presenter
• Guests
• VT (Video Tape) of Multi Camera Productions that aid our observations

The 10 minute programme will explain the purposes of Multi Camera Techniques in a way that is understandable to FE Students.


The four examples of Multi Camera Productions I will look into and research are:

• This Morning (IVT1)
• The Graham Norton Show (BBC One)
• Live Rugby Union- Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints (Sky Sports)
• Baroness Thatcher's Funeral (BBC One)