Multi-Camera Job Roles

Camera Operator

Camera operator's handle the camera while it is rolling and keep the recordings on the presenters or focus of the show, you don't necessarily need qualifications for this job but production companies will look for people with experience within media outlets, so things like youtube videos or media qualifications.

• They need to be able to co-operate within the crew because all their directions and orders come from the director, presenters or other crew members because they are at the lowest point of hierarchy. 
• They need a certain level of patience to make sure they are on time with their cues, for example, if you was a camera operator for the weather on the news, you would need to wait till the end of the show till you are needed.
• They need to be able to know what their equipment does because the studio may require them to refocus their camera.
• Some camera operators will be required to be creative with their angles because of the genre of multi camera they are doing, for example, whoever is control of a crane on a game show they will need to keep all of the contestant and participants in shot while they move around.(0:02)


• They need to have good strength and co-ordination because they will be holding up a very heavy camera for at least 15 minutes at a time, sometimes they will be moving around on foot so they will be needed to walk and film at the same time.
• They need to be able to give creative ideas to the director as well as deliver the creative angles that the studio and directors are looking for.

The camera operators are really the lowest out of all the job roles in a studio because thye have to work around everyone else's needs

Sound Mixing

The sound mixer controls all the sound within the show to make sure that it is not too loud or too quiet throughout the show.

• The sound mixer has to know the order of the show to make sure that they do not play music over a VT or the actual presenter's voices, they control most of the sound for the show.
• The sound mixer needs to know what equipment the studio is using because certain types microphones will be more delicate and sensitive towards sound, so they need to make sure they do not blow them.
• The sound mixer has to have good communication with their director because if something needs to be changed like the volume of the music on the set of a talent show, it would need to be changed quickly.
• The sound mixer chooses the music for some shows as well so their knowledge within music needs to be good to make sure they set the right mood for the show, whether it is a talk show or a magazine show, even though most shows have their own theme music.
• The sound mixer doesn't necessarily need to be creative once the show is on but they need to have the skills to fix a problem if it arises, so their knowledge within soun and their equipment needs to be at a high level.
• Even though the mixer controls all the sound, he has to be considerate of his/her clients wishes because if the soundtrack for the show is not what is wanted, it will need to be changed

Vision Mixing

The vision mixer, essentially, edits the show live because they change the camera, according to the director and floor managers instructions.



• Vision mixers need to have good concentration because they will be sitting down in the same position for 15 minutes at a time sometimes longer on certain events, especially events on the BBC because there are no advertisements.
• A vision mixer needs to be able to correct any mistakes they make in quick succession, their job has no room for mistakes but the ability to be able to correct them if they happen is imperative.
• Just like the other roles, a vision mixer needs excellent communication skills with his/her director, if something bad happens on set the camera may need to be changed quickly to another shot.
• The vision mixer needs to have a sense of rhythm in certain programs as well, because, they may need to be asked to cut the beat for things like performances and concerts.
• The vision mixer needs to be able to multi task because they will be asked to arm different cameras while working on the actual camera which is on screen.
• He/she will also need to know their equipment well, as well as the cameras which will be used because different things like focus levels might need changing.

Set Designer

Set designers control what the show will look like in terms of setting and where it is.

• Set designers need to know quite a lot about art and graphics design, because the job requires you to design a whole set. Things like particular materials and weight need to taken into consideration.
• Set designers need to take their skills to CGI as well. Even animations are reviewed by the set designer to make sure it fits the show.
• The set designer answers to the director, but the take most of the responsibility into their hands 
• The set designer needs to show as much courage and leadership skills as the director because they will be controlling the whole visual side of the show.
• The need to meet deadlines because without the set, the presenters cannot do any run throughs, also, if there are any problems with the set they can change it.
• Set designers need to know the regulations of equipment in certain place, i.e. public places or warehouses, because certain structures might not be allowed 

Lighting Desk

The lighting desk is controlled by the lighting director.They control the actual lighting oof the show.

• The lighting desk controls all the lighting in the studio, so the lighting director will have to pick his equipment out and he will need to have high level of knowledge for their job. They will be required to put different effects on the set to help the cameras and presenters look better.
• The lighting director will be given a script of what will be happening in the show so they can hit their marks with certain parts of the set, also, the script will tell the lighting director, what type of shot they are looking for.
• If anything goes wrong on set, in terms of lighting, the lighting director will be required to solve it.
• Like the vision mixer, being a lighting director requires a high level of concentration, as they would be sitting down for long periods of time, trying to hit their marks.
• Being a lighting director means you need good colour vision, if you don't, you run the risk of the set being off colour throughout the show.
• Good communication is needed for this role because if anything needs to be fixed, you need to be talking to your director.

Floor Manager

Floor managers give the information from the directors to the people working on set.

• The floor manager watches over all the equipment on the floor and makes sure it is working at all times, if there is any problems, the person responsible for that piece of equipment informs the floor manager. 
• The floor manager informs the producers and director of anything happening off camera, like if guests are arriving late.
• The floor manager gives cues to everyone on set, including the live audiences and cameramen.
• Floor managers have to be able to work well under pressure, because if anything goes wrong while the cameras are rolling, they will need to fix it immediately.
• They will need good communication skills even though they won't be speaking. They will need to be giving a lot of hand signals and they will be hearing the director giving orders to different people as well as them.
• They also need good spatial awareness because there will be a lot of equipment around them while working, from lights to cameras. If the equipment is moved or knocked over it can destroy it or it could distract presenters.

Graphics Generation

The graphics generator makes all of the graphics for the show (i.e. animations & Typography)

• Graphics generators have to make sure all of their work is ready for the day because their work may be used for the entirety of the series.
• Any changes about the graphics requested by the director needs to be attended to and fixed immediately, because it will need to fit anything that has changed in the show (i.e. if a sad story is going to be played on VT the transition won't have butterflies fly across the screen)
• The graphics generator needs to know what software he/she is using and what they are rendering in because if they don't work on the software the VT operator is using they will have to redo the graphics.
• A graphics generator needs to be able to use their skills in IT to a very very high level, so everything looks as professional as possible.
• They need to be able to fix problems quickly, as they will be on a tight schedule and under pressure.
• They need to be able to adapt their ideas, as well as being creative in their own right. If the the graphics is not how the director wants them, no matter what they will need to be changed. 

VT operator

Vt operators control what clips or tapes are played on the show (Archive Footage) and also play the footage on the show when cued.

• The VT operator is responsible for anything not being shown at the right time, meaning cues are very important.
• They are responsible for communicating with the vision mixer and director so they know how long their clips have to be.
• VT operators also help with fixing equipment so they will be moving around the camera operators and vision mixers helping.
• VT operators need be able to meet deadlines in terms of editing because their work will be separate from everything in screen.
• They need to be highly skilled or qualified within media to ensure they can help patch technical problems.
• They need to adapt from working alone to groups well and have communication skills to make sure they have as many ideas for footage as possible. 

Presenter

Presenters are the people who will be on screen at almost every moment of the show.

• Presenters deliver the programme to the public in a mode of address that the show is suited for. (i.e. News = Formal, Top Gear = informal)
• Some presenters have to write their own material, like jokes or improvisation.
• Presenters also help plan the programme in some aspects to help it suit anything they need or anything they feel the show needs.
• Presenters need to know how to address the camera confidently, no matter what the show is.
• They need to be able to project their voice without shouting or mumbling into the microphone to get a clear sound level.
• They also need to have a good understanding of media law, to make sure that they do not do anything inappropriate. 

Hierarchy