Behind every successful broadcast is a team of professionals. In this article, we will tell you what tasks each member of the filming crew performs whenorganizing an online broadcastof an event.
Live Director
The live director switches cameras and coordinates the camera operators. Via intercom, he gives tasks to operators: what and when to capture in the frame. Before the event, he conducts a rehearsal with the filming crew according to the script.
Video Engineer, Duty Technician
The video engineer assembles the broadcast path. According to the director's task, he sets up cameras and lays wiring. During the broadcast, the video engineer acts as the duty technician — responsible for the operability of all equipment, replacing batteries and memory cards, solving possible problems. Anything can happen during a live broadcast. If a viewer accidentally cuts the cable transmitting the signal, or a connector burns out, the duty technician promptly replaces the faulty equipment.
Coordinator, Technical Producer
The broadcast coordinator, or technical producer, is the link between the client and the filming crew. Even at the preparation stage, the technical producer helps the client create a technical script for the event — a document that the live director works with. When the filming crew arrives at the venue, the coordinator organizes the unloading of equipment, interacts with the venue technicians and the client on all arising issues. During the broadcast, the coordinator monitors the director's work and compliance with the technical script, the quality of picture and sound. In case of new input from the client, the coordinator promptly makes changes to the technical script.
The presence of a coordinator on the project allows avoiding the "broken telephone" effect, organizing interaction between the client and the filming crew through one person.
Videoconferencing Engineer
The videoconferencing engineer is responsible for connecting remote speakers to the broadcast. He conducts preliminary connection tests, explains to remote speakers how to choose a good place for going live, helps with camera and sound setup. During the broadcast, the videoconferencing engineer contacts remote speakers in advance, conducts final testing, and notifies them of going live. Technically, the task of the videoconferencing engineer on the broadcast is to transmit separate signals of the speaker's camera and presentation, as well as audio, to the production control room. He also sends the broadcast signal and return audio signal to the remote speaker for communication with the hall and moderator.
Camera Operator
The camera operator controls the camera and follows the director's instructions. The operator can work with a camera on a tripod, shoot handheld or with a stabilizer. The operator can also control a camera mounted on a crane. Before the broadcast, operators receive a preliminary task from the director regarding angles and camera movement. In addition to the director's commands, operators orient themselves by the tally lights on the cameras. A green light means the camera is about to go live, and red means the camera is on air.
Sound Engineer
The sound engineer is responsible for transmitting audio to the live broadcast. He sets up microphones, manages sound effects, and monitors volume levels. His task is to ensure that all speakers' voices are transmitted on air at the same level without interference, and to maintain a consistent volume level throughout the broadcast. The broadcast may be watched on different devices — PCs and phones, through speakers or headphones. Regardless of the viewer's device, they should hear good quality sound with a normal volume level.
Other Positions
In addition to the positions mentioned above, the filming crew for an online broadcast may include:
- Content and Graphics Director, VJ— on broadcasts with complex technical scripts and a large amount of content, as well as if there are screens at the venue, an additional director is brought in. He is responsible only for graphic content, or manages the screens at the venue.
- Replay Director— often brought in forsports broadcasts. Records the most exciting moments, then on the director's command, plays them back in slow motion.
- Assistant, helping with a specific task, for example, supporting the operator of a moving camera.
- Presentation Technician, whose task is to receive presentations from speakers, check their correctness, and prepare them for on-air output.
- Teleprompter Engineer, who displays the text on the prompter according to the script and controls the scrolling speed.
- Gaffer and Lighting Technician— separate specialists who set up and connect lighting, monitor its operation during the broadcast.
The size of the filming crew on our projects sometimes exceeds 30 people. The composition of the team depends on the specifics of the project, the number of halls, the complexity of the task, and many other details. We are always ready to select the optimal team composition for your project and provide detailed consultation on any questions.
