Studio Production: Masterclass 2 with Del Brown

For our 2nd masterclass with Del Brown we looked at cameras, sound, vision mixing/directing, and graphics.

MASTERCLASS 2 WITH DEL BROWN

We started the session by splitting into 4 groups: cameras, sound, graphics and vision mixers. As part of this we would rotate in our groups every so often to allow everyone a chance to try every one of those 4 roles.

I started off in the camera group. We set the cameras up on their tripods and had to white balance and grayscale them all. To do this we put all of the cameras next to each other and framed them up on a grayscale chart. We then asked whoever the vision mixer was to put our camera feeds up on the screen as a split screen so we could compare them and match them all up. This took quite a while to do as we just couldn't match them up. In the end we asked last year's head camera op to come down to the studio and help us resolve whatever the issue was.

Next I moved into the sound group. We were in charge of setting up the clip mics and the handheld mics. To do this, two of us would be on the sound desk, and the other two would be stand ins on camera. We asked the stand ins to have a conversation so we could check the levels on their mics. We also connected a phone to the sound desk so we could test playing music and leveling mics so you could still hear them.

After this I moved into the graphics group. During this part of the workshop we sat with Ferg who showed us how to use the Motion software that will be used during our show to run all of the screen graphics to the vision mixing desk. The software is similar to After Effects and so I was able to pick it up quite quick. Ferg also told us about alpha channels and how they are used to create transparent video layers in graphics. He also told us about all of the specifications for graphics so the system would recognise them and allow them to be played on the show. This is good information that can be passed onto the graphics operator for the show.

Finally I moved into the vision mixing group. We took it in turns operating the desk, with someone else in the group calling shots. We also used a sheet of paper to cover the buttons so the operator couldn't see which buttons they were pressing. This helped to test hand eye coordination. Del then gave us a few challenges to see how well we knew how to use the board. This included setting up spit screens with soft or coloured borders. Our final challenge was to set up a three way split screen but unfortunately we ran out of time and so didn't get a chance to finish it. I enjoyed this part of the workshop the most.

This workshop taught me a lot I didn't know about each of those four jobs. It has allowed me to have a greater understanding and appreciation for the people that have to do those jobs on the show. It also made me realise that I definitely would like to be able to do a more technical role on the show, but unfortunately I can't. It has been a good learning curve.