Directing Live TV

Control room view of David Deutsch directing live television

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TV
• Director
• Live
• Television
• Control
• Room

[dsdeutsch]

Vinod, I have been out of the TV production business since 2003. I went to grad school in theology and basically have no contacts in TV anymore. Good luck on all your endeavors.

[dsdeutsch]

grgyl cont: My advice would be to take a job as a production assistant or learn to operate a TV graphic device--any job that takes you into the control room--and be willing to work in any city in any state of the union.

[dsdeutsch]

You are basically right: tapes are all on hard drives and can roll nearly instantaneously. The director still calls the roll to alert the TD, tape operator, audio, etc. which tape etc. See "TDing a NFL game on a Sony switcher" video clip usually next to mine. Really the control room is like citing inside a computer!

I started out as a camera operator in 1965 and started directing in 1967 thanks to a station manager who took an interest in me. Cont

[dsdeutsch]

grgyl: Another reason for the director talking to the technical director, and a not insignificant one, is that under that condition the director is forced to learn how to ready his/her next command verbally which helps the 20 plus crew members to know what is suppose (!) to happen next. When I switched my own shows way back when I could easily lapse into silence which ultimately leads to sloppiness. With a TD I was, in nano seconds, forced to get my thoughts in order and execute them coherently.

[dsdeutsch]

In small stations in the past, the director did do his own switching. But switchers and all they can do have grown increasingly complicated. Instead of concentrating on the monitors and audio and cues and script, the director would have to divert his/her eyes and attention away from the ongoing program.

[dsdeutsch]

To which I can only reply "Amen." I remember actually helping to fill the control room with smoke. Thanks for your kind words, too.

[vinoddft1]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply sir, I will try my level best to get into international channel soon.

Thanks & Regards,

Vinod.

[vinoddft1]

Dear Mr Deutsch , I am Vinod from India with 6+ years of experience of Live News Director in 24 hours english news channel. I would be really grateful, if you could guide me to secure a production control room job in any international english news channels. Please advise, looking forward to a positive response.

Thanks & Regards,

Vinod

[grgryl]

Thanks for the advice!

[grgryl]

Thanks for the replies. How does "Automation" change operation in the control room? Instead of tape, I assume all clips are on hard drive. Would the director still have to say "roll 32" before cutting/wiping to that clip?

[grgryl]

So the Director is giving orders to the Technical Director? Any reason why the Director doesn't push the buttons himself? Seems like that could be quicker.