#cci live

On both the15/01/2015 and 16/01/2015 I worked as a floor manager for Team Green,whom asked me to step in as a Floor Manager for their CCi Live show. During my role, I worked closely with the production team looked after a new presenter for the channel.

This was the first time I worked as a Floor Manager, and found the experience varied and challenging. Initial difficulties included distinguishing when the Director was speaking to me but after a while this was something I got used to by keeping a close ear on what was happening in the gallery whilst I was in the CCi Studio. Another skill I learned was keeping the presenter aware of what was going on at all times and making him more relaxed ahead of the show.

Above: The TalkBack system I used. This connected to mains electricity via a 5-pin XLR cable. To talk to my Director- who was the only other member linked to the system- I just pressed the “Talk” button. I also used a headpiece, which connected to via a 3.5mm jack. The TalkBack system fitted to the director’s box via a 3-pin XLR cable. I enjoyed using this and found it easy to use and set-up.

Above: The MC1 Headphones that come with the Talkback system. I find closed-cup headphones are probably better over a long period of time- they're more comfy!

The NewTek TriCaster 860 multi-standard vision mixer is a brilliant product. It brings that edge to a live programme but really simplifies production too. For the show, I ingested footage ready for playout, created straps and stings. Specifically, my role within the show was to create name straps and VTs matched the running order, so they could be cued for the Vision Mixer to play when the show was broadcast. It was also my responsibility to make sure that the show was recorded for archive and on demand purposes and the titles were mixed correctly into the Green Screen for the start of the show. I felt I dealt with this competently.

Above: Ingesting footage through the TriCaster’s ingesting agent. I saved the footage into a date-based folder, which assured all files were organised in the right order, at the right date, for the right show.

Here, I learned how to organise media for live broadcasts- from VT features to name straps and prepare and archive recordings for YouTube services, which was a skill I did not have previously. Working as a Tri-Caster operator was a successful experience, as I did not make any errors when the show went live. In addition, the show was a success and I gained a new skill in Tri-Caster operating having not used it before.

The role of a floor-manager is to make sure that sets, props and technical equipment are safe, ready to use and in the right position prior to filming. A floor manager acts as the link between the director and the many people involved in a production. It is the floor manager's responsibility to pass on cues to presenters and guests to ensure timings are met and the broadcast goes smoothly as well as getting any audience to engage in the production and supervise any camera movements between different set-up areas. 

I was placed upstairs in the CCI Studio with today's presenter; Melina, who was slightly nervous. Knowing what it's like to tackle nerves as a presenter on the day of a live show, I was able to give some advice. My key tip was to slow down and take a breath when you can feel yourself about to stumble on your sentence. This advice went down a treat and not only gave Melina some confidence but also built the relationship and trust in order for me to floor-manage to the highest standard.  

Luckily I already knew most of the signals from previous years so it was just a case of putting them into practice.

Today I learnt that trust is a big factor of getting people to listen and do what you want them to. As the presenter trusted me, it made it a lot easier for her to follow my signals and not second doubt me when counting down or signalling for her to slow down or wrap up.

I enjoyed floor-managing today and will take on the role in future shows.

To see their show, visit the link below;

Thankfully the duo had an array of their own songs to perform as for copyright reasons, covers are banned. On the 7th of October I had finalised the running order with two songs from the performers, one at the beginning and one at the end of the show included alongside the interview, as one VT (Jack New) had been scrapped we had extra time to fill.

The 8th of October was a very stressful day. The Mind VT was not broadcast standard without a lot more work. As we hadn’t yet had a full run-through this was my priority, so the editors were sent to start fixing the problems; working off the feedback and the rest of the team went for a run-through.

This run-through was the first chance that the presenters would get to rehearse their script and the first chance for us to practice our in-studio roles. As a director it was up to me to queue name-straps, VT’s, Stings and Camera changes as-well as checking the camera shots and managing everyone in the upstairs studio. Half of our show was going to take place in the downstairs studio ‘The Hub.’ This meant downstairs would have their own director and it was my job to direct the upstairs gallery and studio. After adding camera changes to the script and finalising name-straps and links, it was time for a full run-through (minus VT’s.) A couple of words needed changing in the script but aside from that, I felt confident with the live aspect of the show.

After a show rehearsal it was up to me and the editor to get the VT’s fixed. A few hours of work on shot changes, some last minute cutaways and some help with sound correction and it was good to go.

I realise the obvious choice would be to fix it, but when you’ve worked so hard on something the decision to simply scrap it, is a very difficult one.

However, after careful consideration I came to the professional decision that the performer would be changed and the VT would be scrapped leaving time to fill in the show and an unanswered question… 'who is going to perform?'

But todays priority was now to do the running order and check over the script after the script-writer uploads it to google drive, alongside scripting questions for tomorrows shoot with the channel managers and course leader.

Running order done, script changed and questions prepared, I am ready for tomorrow.

This was resolved by my decision of getting rid of the mix pre and plugging a tie-mic and the boom mic straight in to the camera. Although not ideal, it did work as we only needed two channels and was far better than having distorted sound.

After sincerely apologising to the performer for the delay we began the shoot. The style was relatively dark due to the style of the performer so I wanted the edit to reflect the same theme but at the same time keeping within the guidelines for live, daytime, family TV. We used a basic 3-point lighting technique to light the performer. The VT was filmed over a 40 minute period and included wide angle shots of the performer, close up of the performers expressions whilst playing the music (which was done to portray his passions for music), extreme close ups of the performers hands whilst playing the guitar and a talking head style interview, which will be used in the edit as a voice over to showcase his musical achievements and act as a teaser for the main interview which will take place live, in the studio, on the day of our show.

The edit then started the next day, October 1st. After stating what I wanted from the VT and supervising the blocking of the edit, I left the editors to get on with the online versions of both Mind and Jack New. A few hours later I came to check on the VT’s to make sure they conformed to my visual ideas.

Mind: Complete. After not having enough cutaways for the mind VT, I took some screen grabs of their website using events spoken about and donation pages for the charity. This turned out to be a life-saver and made the VT broadcast standard. Mind was ready to export and add to the tri-caster.

The next day (15/01/15), my group practiced with the downstairs studio, so that both presenters and everyone who has a role downstairs could practice also. Today, only two of the five members of the support group showed up, so I put these two on Camera Operation as it played a huge part in our show as we had a few camera changes that needed to be practiced to reach the time limit we had to move them. The rest of the team and I filled the roles that needed to and so we had a few run throughs to make the Presenter and Camera Operators more confident about the Live Show tomorrow.

 On Live Show day (16/01/15), I was in the CCI Studio upstairs and ended up setting this up on my own. This for me was a good thing as it meant I learnt how to set up a studio on my own giving me more knowledge and understanding of how the equipment works. I made sure the TriCaster, Vision Mixer, Sound, AutoCue, Credits, Directors Box, Studio Lights and Cameras were turned on and set up. I put the final script onto the system and then noticed some changes that hadn’t been deleted and changed. Therefore, I rang the Second Unit Director for the Eldon Broadcast Hub downstairs to tell him about the changes that have been made so they can change it on the AutoCue downstairs and tell the presenter. Luckily we were able to have four run throughs, twice with the whole show using both studios and twice with just the upstairs studio segments. As the support group were late, for three of the four run throughs, I had the task of being Director, Sound Operator and AutoCue Operator. This was a huge task as I had to direct everyone in the studio and the Floor Manager in the Green Screen Studio. I felt proud of myself for being able to do multiple roles at one time on my own as it put my skills to the limit, and gave me the chance to learn new equipment. Before we went Live, I made sure everyone was in position and feeling good about what was about to happen.

Overall, I feel even though there were some mishaps in the studio with regards to the Presenters not saying what was on the script meaning, we had to re-film the segment after the show had ended, to make sure we have the correct information on the YouTube upload and a few camera jolts, the show was very successful and I am proud to have been a Director and achieved skills from it. I was also proud that I took the situation upon myself to get out of a hard task, and take on three roles so that everyone was able to practice their roles. As John Smith a Multi-Camera Director at the BBC states ‘ It’s a learning process. You must be able to listen and learn, there’s many a cul-de-sac I’ve ended up thinking to myself how I am going to get out of this, and you do get out of it by drawing on previous experience’.

Above: The view from the Presenters side in the CCI Studio

Above: The mics I had to set up when my support group did not turn up on time. I hadn't used these previously, so for me it was a gain as I learnt a new skill.

Above:The Sound Mixing Desk and AutoCue Operator desk, which I took charge of during the practices because I wanted everyone to feel calm about the Live show, and that everyone should get a practice on their equipment even if everyone was not there.

Above: Close-Up (CU) of the Sound Mixing Board used. I had to move the channels up at certain points during the practices so that it was heard within the studio, so everyone knew where we was on the script, so me and my peers knew what we had to do next.

Above: The dial for the AutoCue I also had to control within the practice. Having to do this whilst also being a Director and controlling the sound levels was a huge task, but I am proud of my successes.

Above: The Director Desk, in which I was in charge of. I had to make sure I had my headset on at all time so I could guide the Floor Manager and the roles within the gallery.

Above: The two switches, which turn on the red warning lights to inform people near the gallery to be silent so we do not pick up any unwanted sound from outside the gallery and studio.

Above: This is one of the switches for turning on the studio lights.

Above: XLR cables to connect the Cameras and Talkback to the gallery via the wall.

Above: Images of me being the Director on the Live Broadcast Day.

Here is my groups show :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qWnJdNh_y8 

The Orange Group asked if I could come in for a rehearsal on the 27/11/14, so that we could all practice our roles. As one Camera Operator did not show up, I was trusted to be in charge of two cameras, in which I was happy to help as it would give me more experience with the cameras, but this scared me as I had to balance my time and be on full attention at all points in order to fill out these complex tasks. As Skillset states a Camera Operator ‘must be able to multi-task, and be able to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks.’ I feel that I achieved this, as being a Camera Operator; I had to deal with two Cameras at one time. One of the cameras I was in charge of was a Wide Shot (WS), which was chosen to give the audience a view of the set, the presenter (s) and the guest (s). This Camera did not need to be moved throughout the whole show which meant that I could set it up and then just keep an eye on it whilst dealing with the other camera. I was told by the Director that my camera would need moving during the show and told me via the talkback system when to do so. This meant that when it happened, me and the other Camera Operator at the rehearsal had to move the cameras and cables carefully and set up our next shots, which for me was a Close-Up (CU) of the guest because it shows their facial expressions and lets the audience engage with the programme more. Luckily, we were able to have a couple of run throughs so I felt confident with what I had to do and as we had quite a lot of time for the move there wasn’t a lot of pressure built on me.

On the day of the live show (28/11/14), I was asked to come in early to help set up the cameras. The Orange Groups Director and Producer were organised and got an extra person to go on the wide shot camera so they did not have to panic over moving the cameras. This was good for me as it meant that I could concentrate on just one camera and what I needed to do for it. Overall, the show went well and I feel that I improved on my Camera Operation skills as I had not entailed this role this year, and so for me to be able to get the Cameras set up, focused and moved promptly but safely, all whilst listening to the Director on talkback and not make one mistake is an achievement for me, and also shows I have the skill of multi-tasking. After this show going well, Camera Operation was something I enjoyed and would pursue again.

Above: Me setting up the Canon XLH1 camera and My name in the Credits.

Here is the Orange Team’s ‘CCI Live’ show :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54O_G5nc_Us