AMA about TV and Video Production.
Been in the business since 1980. Started at a small market TV Station. Went on to a production company where I learned how to edit in a linear fashion, way before desktop non-linear editing. In this mode you would play back a tape or multiple tapes for dissolves and effects, through a video switcher and audio mixer and send the result to another video recorder.
Currently a multi-camera Director and/or Technical director.
Worked on every type of production you can imagine. Corporate TV, Commercial Editing, Live Sports, Poker Shows, Standup Comedy, Pro Wrestling, Concerts and eSports. Collected multiple Emmys working on 5 Olympics for NBC and ESPN X-Games.
During Covid I worked a lot in Los Angeles since production was shut down in my hometown of Vegas. One of the more interesting projects was the Oprah/Obama interview. To keep to Covid protocols, I was in a control room in Burbank, Oprah was in her own living room, and Obama was on a green screen set in D.C.
Right below the main program screen you can see Oprah by herself and below that and on the right, Obama in his studio.
Here is a teaser for resulting video:
Any questions? Ask away!
5 Replies
What are the major differences between filming live events and filming shows that are scripted and will be edited before release?
What are the major differences between filming live events and filming shows that are scripted and will be edited before release?
Different set of equipment and crew positions. Comparing a game show or nightly talk show with a reality show, most of which are scripted. Games shows are shot "live to tape" although recording is now digital and tape is long gone. They try to shoot them in a manor that requires minimal editing. So with game shows, multiple cameras are fed to a video switcher and line cut live, with that output being recorded. As much as possible video effects and audio mixing are real time during the recording.
Scripted shows may have a single camera up to a couple dozen on a show like Big Brother and they record the output of every camera. They cut the scenes in a non-linear edit system after the actual shoot. Once the video is edited, They also go through an audio sweeten/mixing session and sometimes color correction and effects are added. The production costs are usually cheaper with this method but post-production editing and processing is higher.
Beyond the above are live sporting events and specials where there is no editing and the product is created in real time. They get a bit more complicated as you want a "clean" show which means no apparent technical errors seen by the viewing audience. The video below is one of the best produced that explains most of what it takes to put on a live American Football game and its a pretty massive effort.
why does no one watch LATcommerce? how would you change the production. I think they had 85 live viewers last night, i used to get 300 live viewers for pokersesh! no poker just calls...lol.
Since I worked on the Vegas version of the show, where it had pretty good numbers, and a pretty good production, it is probably not proper or professional for me to discuss this particular show on a public forum. One of these days when we get together for a beer, we can delve into it.
Since I worked on the Vegas version of the show, where it had pretty good numbers, and a pretty good production, it is probably not proper or professional for me to discuss this particular show on a public forum. One of these days when we get together for a beer, we can delve into it.
hahahahha, i tried to get you to spill the tea!!!
