First of all, it feels like I've definitely progressed in terms of practical studio experience!
My three objectives have been:
1) Be in control of/operate a camera during a live broadcast
2) Communicate with the gallery effectively, relaying instructions, etc
3) Be able to fully understand a shot list enough to know what the
broadcast/cameras are planning to do beforehand (also so that when
changes occur, I know what they'll be and won't be lost)
I feel that all three objectives inform and aid each other. But by this, the fourth day, I was definitely confident in objective 3.When I arrived, my mentor for the day, Roy (with Daryl on hand as well, as he was floor manager for the day), was very helpful and gauged my previous shadowing and experience in the studio. For one thing, he asked me (encouragingly nearly straight away) what I wanted to work towards for the day; of course I referred to my personal objectives.
After mentioning my objective 1, he basically allowed me on the camera used for a lunch-time headline preview. Straight afterwards, he made sure I knew which shots to set up where which, as a bit of a test. He asked me to set an 'MCU' for instance. Again, it was mentioned how some directors prefer a particular type of angle, or how they may want the backdrop positioned behind the presenters, etc. Roy put it simply by describing what looks 'comfortable', or not, for the framing.
We went through the shot list together for the half-past broadcast and noted which cameras would be doing what. I believe Roy saw that I understand what would be happening...Along with this, it seems he trusted in my knowledge of previous days, because he then allowed me to operate Camera 2 for the broadcast! Sensibly, it was a camera that required minimal motion and setting during the broadcast, but I was extremely pleased, as you can tell! And during the set-up, he ensured to the gallery/director that I was being looked after. Through the broadcast, Roy was regularly checking and overseeing my progress and ensuring my framing and camera focus, etc. were in check.
However, it was my 2nd objective that I still felt I needed to achieve; during the majority of the day, I had the headset on to listen to the gallery (as I have been doing for all of the days and as you are to do if your shift is in the studio). Listening the the chatter from the gallery still proved to be a difficult task, as it is either unclear which voice the camera operator is supposed to be listening to, or the voice is then too quiet to hear over other voices. Whilst I was on camera, I regularly had to check with Roy what my instructions were; his repetition of instructions was extremely helpful, of course, but I'm aware that it does hinder his own camera operation. Reassuringly, Roy is extremely and effortlessly capable; overseeing my operation as well as managing his own seemed not to hinder him at all.
As for my 3rd objective, I would say that I have certainly become more familiar with the shot lists. I did feel like I was able to follow it and recognize what would be needed for the broadcasts. It was also helpful to now recognize which shots are allocated to whichever cameras are listed...by the end of the day, I was even confident enough to take all the freshly printed sheets and designate individual ones to specific cameras (so one sheet indicating shots for Camera 1, for instance).
The final day in the studio is next...
AM
