Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Assignment 2

Plan a multi-camera production and perform an operational role in a multi-camera production.

P2 – Be able to plan a multi-camera production

2.1 Multi-camera production roles:

Camera Operation:Camera operators are responsible for working with the cameras in order to capture relevant footage of unfolding scenes. They work alongside other production crew members, including the director, producer, actor and cinematographer and come up with ideas as to what way they want the finished product to look. It is vital that camera operators use their knowledge and understanding of both framing and composition in order to ensure full attention to detail is applied and therefore, increase the likelihood of the desired result being achieved. The appropriate lenses must also be selected for each shot taken and appropriate equipment must be operated, such as dollies or camera cranes.

Sound technician:The sound technician is mainly responsible for recording all sound on set or on location during the production process. They will be required to have sufficient technical knowledge of the sound recording equipment used in order to maintain a high standard of audio. Sound technicians are also responsible for carrying out essential tasks in post-production, such as integrating or synchronising pre-recorded audio with visual clips and footage and creating sound effects to be used in film or television.

Switcher/Vision Mixer:In a production, the vision mixer works alongside the director and edits live events as they are unfolding and joins together images from visual sources, including multiple cameras or tape recorders. They must have the ability to work and control a ‘switcher board’ and quickly grasp given instructions. They must also ensure they are aware of the capabilities and limitations of different types of vision mixing desks so that they can suggest ways of utilising them to visually create the successful or desired product.

Director:The director is mainly responsible for the overall ‘look’, sound and technical standards of a production. They work on the pre-production to ensure they thoroughly prepare and work towards achieving their desired production goal. They also work on set, overseeing the entire production and making sure everything is in proper working order. After filming, the director works alongside the editor in order to create the final product.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Producer:The producer would usually be involved with the practical aspects of the production, allowing the director and technical crew to concentrate on the creative aspects. They have various vital roles, such as managing finances, hiring a suitable film crew and choosing appropriate filming locations. During filming, the producers usually check over any alterations to the script that may occur and at the post-production process, the producer has a role of finalising the product and then marketing and distributing it.

Lighting:Lighting technicians work closely alongside the cinematographer and are responsible for controlling and operating the lighting for a production. They are required to use their knowledge to choose suitable types of lighting and must hold the ability to operate lighting consoles and correctly set up the lights.

Floor Management:Floor managers are mainly responsible for providing information from the director in the control room to the production crew, then back to the director. They ensure all equipment is in proper working order, assist with the planning of productions and deal with any technical issues which may occur during filming. The floor manager must be organised and must be an effective communicator in order to ensure all aspects of filming are successful.

Graphics Generator: Graphics generators work towards creating and designing the graphics that could be used as part of a production.

2.2 Develop programme ideas:

Having researched and brainstormed various different ideas that we could possibly film for multi-camera production, as a class we decided to film the ‘Bohemia Hair and Beauty’ show, which has been taking place in the North West Regional College for the past six years. It opens opportunities for different departments within the college to come together to make the event a success, including the Photography, Barbering, Hair and Beauty and Media departments.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

The brief was given to us as a Commission brief, and under the direction of our tutor, Joe Kennedy, we were to live stream the show and broadcast it on YouTube and promote and advertise it across various social media websites. Other branches of the Media department were given the task of creating a trailer for the show and the graphics to be used.The show aimed to attract an audience consisting of students from the college, family members and the public.

Having been provided with the information that the hair and beauty show was ‘Bohemia’ themed, we all had to undertake our own research to ensure we were fully informed and knowledgeable of the theme and therefore get a better insight into what the show was going to consist of. I became aware that the theme ‘Bohemia’ promoted the idea of freedom, love and harmony and the idea of embracing life and nature. Below are a few images I gathered as part of my research:

I focused more attention, however, on researching Bohemian hair and makeup as the main aspect of the brief consisted of showcasing hair and beauty(makeup). I needed to increase my understanding on these types of styles so I knew what was to be the main focus of filming and what key shots needed to be taken on camera. Different Bohemian hair and makeup styles can be seen below:

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

After thorough research was undertaken of the theme and everyone was sufficiently knowledgeable, a Facebook group was created in order to keep everyone updated with the plans for the show and to allow ideas to be shared on how to approach it to ensure we get the best possible end product.

The production will consist of male and female models showcasing various types of Bohemian looks and styles designed by NWRC students from the Hair and Beauty department. They will each walk down the stage in front of the audience and a panel of expert judges and a winner from a range of categories will be selected at the end. There will also be entertainment in the form of singers and dancers.

The visual set will consist of a stage with a curtain through which the models will enter and exit the stage. On stage will be a podium with a presenter and on each side of the stage will be rows of chairs where the audience will assemble. Directly in front of the stage is where the judges will assemble so they have a close, front-facing view of the models as they enter and leave the stage. The set will be well-lit by the use of a wide range of different lights pointing directly to the stage, maintaining full attention to the models.

2.3 Presentation style:

The presenter of the show will have use of a script with the aim of entertaining the audience and informing them of what exactly is happening throughout the show. There will also be a slideshow consisting of content to support what the presenter is talking about. The confirmed script can be seen below:

Good evening Mr Murphy, Governors, Elected Representatives and everyone welcome to the North West Regional College 6 annual Hair and Beauty show, which each year I am delighted to announce keeps going from strength to strength– tonight it is all about Bohemian. I am not going to lie to you I had to look up exactly what Bohemian meant, I found words like:Unconventional AlternativeCarefreeRelaxed

Cool right?

Which are all words that we definitely cannot use about what is going on backstage right now, you could use words like

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

PanicMayhem TerrorTotal Fear

The students have been tasked with live briefs and practical assignments within their creative disciplines in a real-life scenario – preparing for tonight’s showcase.

Honestly, you are in for a great show tonight I can promise you that – both staff and students have been working tirelessly to get this performance ready for you and they will not disappoint.

A production this size draws on large groups of talented people onstage and backstage tonight:

NVQ level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing full and part time

All level two Hairdressing groups full and part time

Level three and level two Barbering full and part time

Both 1st year and 2nd year Combined Hair & Beauty groups

VTCT Fashion & Photographic Makeup

Beauty therapy support for makeup

Level 3 Diploma in Makeup artistry this course is a first in northwest area due to the massive growth in makeup within industry Media, Multi-Media and Interactive Media students from Level 3, HNC & HND classes – covering everything from photography and graphic design to video production, editing, advertising and trailers for the event. Add to that student singers, dancers and backstage crew from both Level 3 and HNC Performing Arts – and you have an idea of the amount of work and collaboration required for tonight’s performance The excellent Film Trailer this was courtesy of NWRC’s Media and Multi-Media students

Now I know what you are thinking – with words flying around like Bohemian / Unconventional / Carefree / Relaxed I MUST be in the show – BUT NO! (Working crowd)

Let me walk you through tonight’s look. Fairly cool suit! Next Best

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Hair – Breidge – (Slide on TV)

Tan? – well if you are looking for a Tan – then Susan can – (Slide on TV)

Chasing Cars Snow Patrol – Music

Finally, before we get tonight’s show on the road I have an appeal to make an appeal on behalf of all NWRC staff and student members involved in tonight’s performance. Our very own Mrs Karen Moore has kindly pledged that she will both Train and run a 5K race for Charity. Nevertheless, we can only achieve this task with your help and assistance here tonight. During the performance can we please ask that you make as much noise as possible to cheer and support our models – we have a special piece of scientific equipment installed in the theatre this evening it is called the Karen-O-meter.

This state of the art device will monitor the atmosphere and noise levels at various stages in the show – if we can keep the level high we will achieve our goal -We ask you to help us please. Think you can help us out?? Ok let’s give it a try? (work crowd) – (Karen-o-meter slide)

Think you can help us out??? Ok

Who is ready to get started? me too let’s get going.

The models you are about to see have been styled by students from NVQ level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing, Level 3 Barbering students and Level 2 H1A Hairdressing students. I am delighted to introduce look number 1 and the theme for tonight’s showcase – ladies and gentlemen – Bohemian Look!

CATWALK 1: Bohemian look

Dance performance by Ascent - Megan Harkin, Olivia McBride, Sharon Sweeney, Evie McClean & Sabina Czaja.

Performance: dance 2

All of our dancers tonight had their hairs styled by Hair and Beauty combined year 1 and makeups by VTCT Fashion & Photographic Makeup students.

Let me now introduce our very own judging panel – I must just add no Simon Cowell here or is there??? Actually Let me find out - Judges can I get your opinion of this. (Right Side Fred – Cat Walk by Nicholas) (all hit a Judges button) (Slide on TV)

Our Judges carefully marked each student’s work earlier today.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

All of tonight’s Level 3 winners will go through to the cross campus Competition that will be held on the 8th of March in City Hotel where the students from across the 3 College sites in hair & beauty compete together in our flagship event linking assessment and celebrating our local employer liaison

Ladies and Gentlemen our first judge Is

Laura Faulkner Rice – Manager of Toppers Hair Salon

Laura is a former student of the CollegeWorks alongside her Mother in the Salon whom she credits her initial love of hair styling.Kindly provides work placement opportunities for the Students of the College

Judge number 2

Sinead Hasson – lead stylist of John Pauls Hair Salon

Past level 3 hairdressing student of the CollegeVery successful in competition winning many accolades2nd place in creative up style and 2nd in cut and colour both in cross campus competition in 20152nd in Bridal hair in the Scottish national championships 20153rd in party girl up style Northern Ireland Championships in 2015t2nd in Junior creative fantasy 2nd in long hair freestyle 3rd in ladies’ total fashion look all Ireland Championships 2016Sinead has also styled the hair for the Cover of local women magazine. Jon Paul is also one of our very popular work placement providers

Judge number 3

Michael Shevlin, salon owner of Michael Tomasz Hair Salon for over 8 years

Michael has been very successful in the Industry for 14 years having obtained his NVQ level 2 and 3 at the College in 2003 / 2004.Michael has trained in London, Dublin and locally.His Salon specialises in the use of Organic Hair Colour and his motto is “Good for Nature, Good for you”

Currently completing his HND in Hair and Beauty management in the College.Michael accredits his success in the hairdressing industry to the foundation training, support and guidance received from the staff at the College.

Ladies and Gentlemen – Our Judges for this evening

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Moving onto the second of the three looks created for this evening’s competition. This is Cut and Colour style – showing styles created by Level 3 Hairdressing & Level 2 Barbering students’ year 1 group A & group B

CATWALK 2: CUT AND COLOUR

Time for some more entertainment now please give a nice warm welcome to singer 1 TBC (either Eilis Deeny and / or Conall McGrellis)

SINGING PERFORMANCEMoving on with some more Catwalk and the next is from the Combined Hair and Beauty Groups – HDBT2A Years 2, HDBT1A Year 1 and HDBT1B Year 1

CATWALK 3: BOHEMIAN STYLESEntertainment – singer 2 TBC (either Eilis Deeny and / or Conall McGrellis)SINGING PERFORMANCE (Check in on the Karen-O-meter)Tonight’s performance is the largest cross college collaboration Project based Activity that the college has and I’m sure you will agree the level of sheer talent on show is nothing less than outstanding and is a massive credit to all the students involved.

We have had a Record number of barbers are taking part in the showcase this year under the direction of their mentor – Grainne McCollum – so please enjoy the styles created by:

Level 2 Barbering full time year 2 Level 2 Barbering night class Level 2 Hairdressing accelerated night class.

CATWALK 4: BARBERING SHOWCASE

A show of this size takes a mammoth team effort and hours of dedicated hard work to get the end product that you see tonight. It would be impossible to thank each and every one involved, so to the Staff / Students / Technicians and Caretakers a massive thank you.

A word of thanks to the College for financing the event. We are getting a pay rise for this right?

Our final catwalk of the evening includes Avant Garde level 3, Part time level 3 Hairdressing, level 2 H2A & level 2 H2B

CATWALK 5: FINAL CATWALK

Before the awards ceremony - thank you – modelsThank you to LizI like to now call on the Director of the North West Regional College, Mr. Leo Murphy, to say a few words…Leo Murphy speaks

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Ask Liz January to the stage who will announce this evening’s winning looks and students.Liz: Thank you Nicholas. Before I begin, can I ask that if you are named as a winner that both the student and the model come to the stage for photographs. Announce winners & get photos taken on stage.Before we finish for this evening, I’d like to thank our judges Laura Sinead Michael

Let’s see how we got on with Karen’s Challenge – is she about to get the running gear back out again? - (Result Slide)

Finally, many congratulations to all those who picked up a prize. To you, ladies and gentlemen - I do hope you’ve enjoyed the performances and catwalk shows this evening, and on behalf of NWRC staff and students in Hairdressing, Beauty, Media and Performing Arts, I’d like to thank you all for coming along to support this great event.

Thank you and goodnight!

2.4 Planning processes:

Equipment needed for production:

Four camerasFour tripods Four SDI inputsFour HDMI inputsTwo laptopsCablesSplittersWalkie talkiesSD cards

Crew list:

Milo Quigley and Millenia Ritchie – Social Media PromoterRuairi Straw, Molly McHale, Tom O’Donnell and Adam McCallion – Camera OperatorsPaul McKay – Vision Mixer and GraphicsRoisin Crossan – Floor ManagerJoe Kennedy – Production ManagerTomala White – Director

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

I was assigned the role of social media promoter which involved ensuring there were no faults with the streaming of the live event and ensuring the quality was of a reasonable enough standard for the viewers to watch. I will be assisting with broadcasting the show on YouTube and promoting/advertising it on Facebook and Twitter.

As a team we planned the production design in terms of what equipment we will use, the layout of the set and where the equipment will be placed. In terms of the set we discussed what types of lighting will be used, decided on what equipment to use to ensure the audio was of a decent standard and what possible graphics will be designed by other media students to add to the effect of the show.

Below are a collection of notes/minutes taken during the same planning process, which include possible constraints we could face, a shooting schedule and a to-do list that needs to be implemented in the pre-production stage.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

We then did a recce of the location, the Foyle Drama theatre in the North West Regional College, so we got a better, more visual insight into the layout and size of the set.

Health and safety checks:

Ensure all equipment is carried carefully from the Northland building to the Foyle building to avoid damage.Ensure all cables are taped down to avoid tripping or falling hazards and avoid damage to the equipment. Ensure walkways are clear when setting up cameras.

2.5 Production documentation:

All supporting documentation used for this production can be seen above.

P3 – Be able to perform an operational role in a multi-camera production

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

3.1 Perform a practical role:

The main production role that I undertook was the role of social media promoter which involved ensuring there were no streaming faults, broadcasting the event on YouTube and promoting it to the public on Facebook and Twitter. I also helped carry the equipment to the location, helped set up the equipment and followed directions/instructions from our tutor/production manager, Joe Kennedy quite well. I helped ensure the vision-mixing desk was set up properly and everything was connected properly to make sure the production ran smoothly. Although I was assigned the main role of social media promoter, I helped other crew members whenever necessary and carried out any additional tasks.

3.2 Operational methods:

Communication within production team:It is vital that all members of the production crew communicate effectively with each other to ensure everything runs smoothly and the production is of a high standard. During the live show all crew members communicated verbally with each other making sure everyone fully understood their roles and helping those who were having difficulty with, for example, their equipment.

Shot-calling:The shot caller holds responsibility for making the camera operators aware of what types of shots should be taken and in what order. A shot caller was not required that much in the production of our live event and had quite a limited role as we had already drawn up a proposed shot list during the pre-production process.

Talk-back:A talkback is a microphone-and-receiver system installed in the recording/vision-mixing desk to allow effective communication to occur between the crew members in the control room and recording studio.

Cueing:Cueing involves providing the performers/cast in a production with helpful signals as to when to begin or end their performance in order to ensure there are little or no errors. In the live event people would be backstage with the models and performers to cue them when to enter the stage.

Vision-mixing:The crew member responsible for vision-mixing the live event had the role of mixing material from a range of cameras into different inputs. They were required to control two HDMI and 2 external media inputs.

Video and graphic inserts:

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

The HND interactive media students were assigned the role of designing graphics to be used in the production of the live event. Careful planning and consideration had to occur to ensure the best, most suitable graphics were created.

Health and safety considerations:It is of vital importance that all production crew members deeply consider the range of health and safety issues that need to be taken care of to maintain the safety of both the crew and the audience. The health and safety issues that we had to consider during the pre-production stage of the live event are as follows:

Ensure all equipment is carried carefully from the Northland building to the Foyle building to avoid damage.Ensure all cables are taped down to avoid tripping or falling hazards and avoid damage to the equipment. Ensure walkways are clear when setting up cameras.

In my opinion, I believe I communicated rather effectively with all of the production team as before the event started I did what I could to ensure everyone understood their role and helped anyone who was having difficulty with anything related to the production. During the pre-production process, I worked as a team to thoroughly plan for the event and expressed any opinions or thoughts I had on how to make the production a success. I communicated with the production manager in order to gain a better understanding of exactly what my personal role as social media promoter entailed in order to ensure the stream was visually pleasing for the viewers and ensure I correctly promote the live show on social media with confidence and without fail.

Feedback and evaluation

Liz January from the Hairdressing department sent an email to our course co-ordinator, Faustina Starrett, expressing her gratitude for our help, stating how well we worked as a production team to create a successful product. She stated how she could clearly see how professional, courteous and enthusiastic we were throughout.

Milo Quigley Unit 23: Multi-Camera Techniques.

I personally believe that the production of this live event was a success from start to finish as a result of the exceptional teamwork between all members of the production team. The enthusiasm, initiative and professionalism shown helped to strengthen each person’s skills and knowledge and gain confidence on roles they may not have been familiar with beforehand. We provided each other with the necessary support in order to maintain the smooth running of the production and ensure it was of the highest possible standard. In terms of my own personal role as social media promoter, I struggled slightly at first due to a lack of confidence and belief in myself but with guidance and assistance from other crew members I eventually became more confident.

A lot of planning and preparation was involved during the pre-production stage and I feel we worked quite well as a team and individually to ensure the planning was thorough and effective.

The project has evidently proven that I am able to work effectively to a brief and that I am able to demonstrate the objectives which include:Be able to plan a multi-camera production.Be able to perform an operational role in a multi-camera production.

Sources used

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/sound-technician-broadcasting-film-video http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/318_vision_mixer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/lighting-technician http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/talkback https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cue