Television Production & Broadcast Journalism: Study Guide
Key Concepts
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Production Team: Everyone involved in a production, including staff and talent.
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Staff: Behind-the-scenes personnel, including management and designers.
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Crew: Equipment operators, generally not seen by the camera.
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Talent: Anyone seen by the camera or providing vocal skills.
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Executive Producer (EP): Provides funding for the program.
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Producer: Purchases materials, hires staff, and manages logistics.
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Director: In charge of the creative aspects of the program.
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News Director: Responsible for the structure and effectiveness of the newsroom.
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Production Manager: Handles the business portion of the production.
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Production Assistant (PA): Provides general assistance around the studio.
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Floor Manager: The director's "eyes and ears" in the studio.
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Camera Operator: Captures the video images of the program.
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Photographer (Photog): Cameraperson in the field for news operations.
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Photojournalist: Performs duties of both photographer and reporter.
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Reporter: Gathers information and writes news stories.
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Assignment Editor: Schedules equipment and personnel for news stories.
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Anchor: Delivers the news from the news desk.
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Video Engineer: Manages video equipment and ensures technical quality.
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Audio Engineer: Responsible for audio/sound quality.
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Lighting Director: Decides placement and color of lighting instruments.
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Gaffer: Lighting director's assistant.
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Scriptwriter: Places the entire production on paper.
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Content Specialist: Expert on the program's subject matter.
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Graphic Artist: Responsible for all artwork.
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VTR Operator: Records the program onto videotape (legacy).
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Video Operator: Records the master video file in a tapeless environment.
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Robo Operator: Remotely operates robotic cameras.
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Editor: Arranges individual scenes into the proper order.
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Makeup Artist: Applies cosmetics to talent.
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CG Operator: Creates program titles using a character generator.
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Grip: Moves equipment, scenery, and props.
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Maintenance Engineer: Keeps production equipment functioning optimally.
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Production Values: The general aesthetics of the show.
Production Workflow
1. Program Proposal: Basic idea, format, audience, budget, and schedule.
2. Scriptwriting: Creating the script, often in a two-column format (video/technical
information and audio/stage direction).
3. Producing: Coordinating schedules, acquiring resources, and monitoring progress.
4. Directing: Shaping the creative aspects and interacting with staff and cast.
5. Lighting: Ensuring sufficient light and creating the desired mood.
6. Scenery, Set Dressing, and Props: Creating a believable environment.
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Scenery: Anything that stops the distant view of the camera.
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Set Dressing: Visual and design elements of a set.
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Props: Items handled by performers.
7. Costumes and Makeup: Enabling actors to look like their characters.
8. Graphics: All of the artwork seen in a program.
9. Camera Operation: Capturing the program images.
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Video: The portion of the program that you can see.
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Frame: The actual edge of the video picture.
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Framing: Placing items in the camera's frame.
10. Audio Recording: Capturing the sound elements of the program.
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Audio: The portion of a program that you can hear.
11. Production Switching: Cutting between cameras.
12. Special Effects: Altering the reality perceived by the viewer.
13. Editing: Placing individual recorded scenes in logical order.
14. Duplication and Distribution: Copying and distributing the finished program.
Key Definitions
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Cast: The collective name given to all the talent participating in a production.
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Cue: A signal that directs something specific to happen.
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Pre-production: Activities before cameras roll (meetings, set construction, etc.).
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Production: The actual shooting of the program.
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Post-production: Activities after shooting (editing, audio overdubs, etc.).
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Distribution: Final phase, including duplication and delivery to the end user.
Important Considerations

Interconnectedness: All production roles are interconnected. Understanding each role
is crucial.
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Networking: Essential for finding job opportunities in the industry.
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Aggressiveness: Being proactive and enthusiastic is important for career advancement.
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Adaptability: Changing companies is common for moving up in the industry.
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Professionalism: Using correct terminology is crucial.
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Production Notes: "It does not have to be, it only has to appear to be!" (regarding
special effects).
Hand Signals
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"You're on!"
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"Wrap it up."
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"Look at the camera I'm pointing to."
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"Cut!"
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"Stretch what you're saying— you're going too fast."
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"Speak louder."
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"Speak softer."
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"Speed up your speaking— time is running out."
### Arts Study Guide: Television Production Roles & Processes (Difficulty: 3)
#### Production Team Roles: Question & Answer
**Q: What is the role of the Executive Producer (EP)?**
**A:** The EP primarily provides funding for the program. Their involvement in the actual
production varies, but they often receive credit and a share of profits.
**Q: What are the key responsibilities of a Producer in a non-news environment?**
**A:** The Producer purchases materials and services, hires the director, designers, camera
operators, lighting director, sound engineer, and talent. They also handle logistics like travel and
are responsible for the program's successful completion.
**Q: How does the Producer's role differ in a broadcast news facility?**
**A:** In news, the Producer coordinates the content and flow of the newscast, deciding which
stories air, their order, and developing promotions. They also handle breaking news situations.
**Q: What is the News Director responsible for?**
**A:** The News Director manages the newsroom's structure, personnel, budget, and overall
effectiveness. They have the final say on which stories air.
**Q: What does a Director do?**
**A:** The Director is in charge of the creative aspects of the program, visualizing the
production, guiding the staff and talent, and ensuring all elements are properly incorporated.
**Q: What are the responsibilities of a Production Manager?**
**A:** The Production Manager handles the business side, negotiating fees, determining staffing
needs, and ensuring programs meet broadcast standards.
**Q: What does a Production Assistant (PA) do?**
**A:** The PA provides general assistance around the studio, filling in for various positions when
needed. It's often an entry-level role.
**Q: What is the role of the Floor Manager (or Floor Director)?**
**A:** The Floor Manager is the Director's "eyes and ears" in the studio, relaying commands to
personnel and giving cues to the talent.
**Q: What is the Camera Operator responsible for?**
**A:** The Camera Operator captures the video images, framing shots that are visually pleasing
and meeting the Director's requests.
**Q: What is the difference between a Photographer (Photog) and a Photojournalist?**
**A:** A Photographer (Photog) accompanies a reporter in the field, handling technical aspects.
A Photojournalist performs duties of both photographer and reporter.
**Q: What does a Reporter do?**
**A:** The Reporter gathers information, writes news stories, and often edits their own stories.
**Q: What is the role of the Assignment Editor?**
**Q: What are the responsibilities of an Anchor?**
**Q: What does a Video Engineer do?**
**Q: What are the responsibilities of an Audio Engineer?
**Q: What does a Lighting Director do?**
**Q: What is the role of a Gaffer?**
**Q: What does a Scriptwriter do?**
**Q: What is the role of a Content Specialist?**
**Q: What does a Graphic Artist do?**
**Q: What was the role of a VTR Operator, and what is the role of a Video Operator in tapeless
environments?
**Q: What does a Robo Operator do?**
**Q: What are the responsibilities of an Editor?**
**Q: What does a Makeup Artist do?**
**Q: What is the role of a CG Operator?**.
**Q: What does a Grip do?**
**Q: What are the responsibilities of a Maintenance Engineer?**
#### Production Workflow: Question & Answer
**Q: What are the four phases of production?**
**Q: What happens during Pre-production?**
**Q: What happens during Production?**
**Q: What happens during Post-production?**
**Q: What happens during Distribution?**
**Q: What are "production values"?**
**Q: What is a program proposal?**
**Q: What is scenery?**
**Q: What are props?**
**Q: What is "video" in television production terms?**
**Q: What is "framing"?**
**Q: What is "audio"?**
**Q: What is "production switching"?**
**Q: What are "special effects"?**
.
**Q: What is "editing"?**