NOTES (12th Mass Media Studies)
UNIT-4
CH-2 (TELEVISION)
Q: What are the duties of Producer in TV?
A: The person in charge of launching entire production is generally the Producer.
Producer is generally the primary person having responsibility for the production.
The program may often be their own brain-child and a producer’s role co-ordinates all
elements of production at its highest level.
A talented producer is adept at co-ordination - of crew and cast; administrative, legal,
financial, budgeting and scheduling issues, as well as being the driving creative force.
A talented producer is a great delegator, being willing and able to pass on responsibility to
trusted production team members they have assembled.
A producer is the team leader who works with the writers, hires director and key talent.
He/ she is the main decision maker and layout the budget for the production.
Q: Role and responsibilities of director?
A:
A talented director is knowledgeable of all equipment in studio, plus the broadcast
equipment it feeds in to.
A good director makes decisions quickly, communicates clearly.
The director communicates to the crew members.
Director is responsible for the vision and ultimate creativity.
The director is responsible to the producer’s wishes.
The director’s tasks include directing actors, co-coordinating the senior technical crew.
Director holds the central authority for the execution of the day’s filming on-set.
A director will likely work in close with the producer from early in the creative process
A good director is conscious of all production an element at a big-picture level is able to
keep the days shoot to schedule.
Director holds a strong vision of their final product as well as holding a sound direction of
the steps necessary to reach that vision.
As the leader on-set, it’s also important for a director to foster a good working
environment for all cast and crew to aid the creation of the final product.
Producer-Director: In smaller productions, the producer may also take charge of the more
mundane activities. And in small productions, the Director may handle the producer's
responsibilities. In this case, the combined job title becomes, Producer-Director.
Associate Producer: In case of a readymade concept given to him by a TV Channel, he is
generally called an Assigned Producer.
Associate Producer: sets up schedules for the talent and crew and who generally assists
the producer.
Technical director: Assisting a director in the control room is typically a technical director
who operates the video switcher. The technical director, or TD, is also responsible for
coordinating the technical aspects of the production.
Production assistants: Production assistants (PAs) may be hired to help the producer and
director. Among other things, PAs keep notes on ongoing production needs and changes.
Lighting director: Lighting is a key element in the overall look of a production. Lighting
director (LD) designs the lighting plan, arranges for the lighting equipment, and sets up
and checks the lighting.
Set designer: Set designer along with the producer and director, designs the set and
supervises its construction, painting, and installation.
Makeup person: Makeup person, with the help of cosmetics, hairspray, etc., sees that the
talent look their best—or their worst, if that's what the script calls for.
Wardrobe Person: A wardrobe person who sees that the actors have clothes appropriate
to the story and script. The costume designer selects designs and is in charge of all
garments and accessories to be worn on-camera, as well as designing, planning, and
organizing the creation of the garments down to the fabric, colors and sizes.
Audio director: Audio technician arranges for the audio recording equipment, sets up and
checks mics (microphones), monitors audio quality during the production, and then strikes
(another production term meaning disassembles and, if necessary, removes) the audio
recording equipment and accessories after the production is over.
Boom Operator: The microphone boom/grip operator watches rehearsals and decides on
the proper mics and their placement for each scene. During an on-location (out-of-the-
studio) shoot, this person may need strong arms to hold the mic boom over the talent for
long periods of time. In a large team, they communicate and receive instruction from a
sound mixer in the control room.
Video Recorder operator: Video recorder operator arranges video recording equipment
and accessories, sets up video recordings, performs recording checks, and monitors video
quality.
Continuity Assistant: He/she carefully makes note son scene and continuity details as
each scene is shot to ensure that these details remain consistent among takes and scenes.
As we will see, this is a much more important job than you might think, especially in
single- camera, on-location production. Once production concerns are taken care of, the
continuity assistant is responsible for releasing the actors after each scene or segment is
shot.
Computer Graphics Operator: (electronic character generator operator) programs
(designs/types in) opening titles, subtitles, and closing credits into a computer-based
device that inserts the text over the video.
Editor: In post-production an editor will work alongside the director (and possibly the
producer) to edit the footage that has been shot to create the final product.
An editor’s role is largely one of cutting together and juxtaposing shots and audio to
the requirements of the director/producer. In some productions however.
An editor’s abilities may influence the creative output.
Editing work is commonly carried out on computer-based video editing software. An
editor’s ability is largely dependent their proficiency with that software.
He/she follows the instructions given by the director/producer.
Camera operator/Cinematographer/Director of Photography: A camera operator
generally operates camera at the instruction of the director.
A talented camera operator has a natural feel for shot composition and light factors.
A cinematographer’s creative aesthetic of the TV program - evoking themes, emotions
and setting a tone for the audience.
He/she used to capture and manipulate light, as well as factoring in the use of lenses,
camera type (or film stock, if not shooting on digital) and various factors related to
film photography.
A cinematographer collaborates prior to, and during filming with the director, to
ensure the director’s creative vision is translated to film.
Compiled by: Mrs. Sandeep Kaur