Chapter 2 Working in the Television Production Industry
57
Wrapping Up
The academic aspects of TV production must be learned to understand
how all the elements of production fi t together. Everyone needs to understand
everyone else’s job in order to fi t into the matrix of production. There are
hundreds of factors to consider when producing a television program, and
this chapter presents only a few of the main jobs involved. An enormous
number of people are typically involved, from the beginning to the end of a
production. Remember that this text is an introduction to television production
and broadcast journalism. It is not intended to be the end of your learning,
rather just the beginning.
The approach this text uses to teach this complex subject is a
vocabulary-based, progressive method. Concentrate on learning the industry
terminology, and understanding the principles behind those terms should
come naturally. The content touches every topic briefl y at fi rst and, as the
chapters progress, continues to address the topics in increasing depth
and detail. Progressive learning means that each day of class builds on a
foundation created by all previous days and lessons—you cannot forget what
has come before. If your brain is a hard drive, for example, you have one fi le
called “Television Production” and you keep adding more information to that
one fi le. Nothing can be deleted!
Review Questions
Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Do not
write in this book.
1. Explain the difference between the talent and the staff of a production.
2. What are the four phases of program production?
3. Describe how the director interacts with the program’s producer.
4. What are the typical responsibilities of a photog?
5. What information is included in a program proposal?
6. What is the frame of a video picture?
7. Explain the process of production switching.
8. Why is it usually impractical to shoot all the scenes of a program in
sequential order?
Activities
1. Record the fi nal credits of your favorite television show. Play the credits
back slowly and notice all the job titles listed. List any of the titles that are
unfamiliar to you and research the responsibilities of each job. Be pre-
pared to present this information in class.
2. Research basic hand signals used by fl oor managers on a production set
by searching the Internet, checking reference material at the library or,
best of all, by visiting a local TV station and interviewing a fl oor manager.
Make an illustrated poster of the new signals you learn.