Television Production: Structure, Technology, and Creation

Posted on Dec 3, 2024 in Arts and Humanities

TV Transmission and Evolution

TV: Distance transmission of image and sound via electromagnetic waves (cable). In late 1920s, it started in English/USA. Regular TV programming differs across countries. Post-WWII (1939-45), it was showcased at the Caralunya Fair Exhibits in June 1948. 1956 saw the launch of TVE. Color TV emerged in the 50s, reaching Spain in the 80s. Satellite transmission began in 1962.

TV: As a unidirectional medium, it offers passive spectatorship with limited interaction.

Types of TV Stations

TV stations capture image and sound, converting them into electrical signals. These signals are sent to a receiver, which decodes them for remote viewing. The mission involves E-hertz waves (up to 90) of electrical signals modulated by radio frequency waves. These travel through the atmosphere and are captured by satellite TV receivers.

  • Satellite TV: Signals are sent to satellites and then forwarded to various locations globally.
  • Cable TV: Transmits electrical signals through copper or fiber optic wires. Fiber optic enhances user interactivity.
  • Terrestrial Digital TV: The Digital Switchover occurred in 2010. Digital signals are transmitted via antenna, offering sharper image/sound, interactive content, and multimedia options. It merges audiovisual, computer, and telecommunications technologies.
  • Internet TV: Utilizes broadband internet and streaming technology for progressive audio/video data transmission.

Pre-production / Production / Post-production

Image creation, editing, sound integration, and transition planning. This includes cutting chains, castings, bumpers, scanning, and iris effects.

Team Personnel

Planning, design, and creative program coordination.

  1. Head of Production Area: Delegates and selects a director, oversees content, performers, and presenters, and coordinates design contributions.
  2. Director: Assigns a producing entity, makes technical and linguistic decisions, and is responsible for the final program.
  3. Art Director/Designer: Develops the idea from a text, coaches the main base, and oversees the final transformation. Dialoguists assist in this process.
  4. Production Team: Coordinates human resources and materials. Includes a producer, production assistant(s), location scouts, negotiators for deals/contracts, materials, and work plan implementation under the director’s guidance.
  5. Assistant Director: Coordinates the technical art team’s work.
  6. Councilman: Maintains discipline and organization in the studio during rehearsals and recording.
  7. Camera Operators: Handle cameras, pedestals, and traveling cranes.
  8. Machinists: Operate crane movements and camera devices.
  9. Illuminators: Manage lighting, using distributed control techniques for optimal light and expression.
  10. Technical Image Control: Ensures correct color matching and capture characteristics, selecting the appropriate mixer.
  11. Technical Sound Production: Manages sound recording using giraffes, poles, and microphones in a controlled room. Sound engineers regulate, adjust, and mix different sound sources for the soundtrack.
  12. Decorator: Handles practical stage implementation, decorations, props, costumes, makeup, characterization, and hairdressing.
  13. Actors
  14. Technical Maintenance Team: Specialists in telecommunications, electronics, informatics, and auxiliary support. Maintains a video electronic database.
  15. Assembly/Post-production Manager: Oversees final assembly.
  16. Post-production Sound: Includes dubbing actors and announcers.
  17. Collaborators: Designers, draftsmen, and technical infographics specialists. Creates synthetic images and infographics using computers, applying resource information.

TV Structure, Areas, and Departments

  1. Program Production Center/Recording Studio: Originates the program. Includes the stage, lighting system, cameras, and production/recording controls for image and sound treatment, image control, and performance control. Sound control is also a key component.
  2. Sound Effects Studio: Records music, voice-overs, dubbing, and sound mixtures.
  3. Technical Production Control Center: Adjusts audio and video signals to meet broadcast standards.
  4. Characterization/Makeup Room: Prepares actors.
  5. Editing/Post-production Room: Intersperses and organizes image and audio instructions using computer software.
  6. Technical Rooms: Houses VTRs, telecine equipment, and infographics systems. VTRs handle recordings and duplications, telecine converts film to digital video, and infographics manage digital image treatment and animations.
  7. Documentation and Archiving Areas: Manages video archives.
  8. Administrative and Management Areas: Directs plans, designs, and manages resources.
  9. Workshops/Stores: Handles sets, special effects, maintenance, costumes, props, and lighting.

Scenery Elements

Elements involved in staging. Different organizations determine how elements are arranged in front of the camera, influencing image composition. This includes actors, sets, and props.

Items:

  • Panels
  • Platforms
  • Stable pieces (pillars, steps, folding screens)
  • Architectural units
  • Background scenery (neutral backgrounds, painted backdrops, projected enlargements, hanging elements, electronically inserted backgrounds like Chroma-Key)

Spots

Analysis includes technique, name, brand, product type, national broadcast year, and duration.

  • Denotative: Camera angles, camera movements, color tones, characters, dialogue/voice-overs, slogans, music type, sound effects, and product role.
  • Renowned: How the public perceives the product’s values (functional, emotional, symbolic), advertising techniques (brand image, identification, success, modernity), advertising resources used (phrases, images, humor, graphic language), and social topics (sex, physical appearance, social class). The main message and interpretation of the spot are also considered.

Video, Video Art, and Video Clips

  • Video: Since 1957, an electromagnetic audiovisual medium for creating domestic audiovisual content.
  • Video Art: Video as an artistic tool, similar to artistic photography. Artists use video for experimentation and creative expression, originating in the 60s and 70s. Notable artists include Nam June Paik, Yagob Agam, Gary Hill, Bill Viola, and Antoni Muntadas.
  • Video Clips: Emerging in the late 70s, often accompanying TV theme songs and pop/rock bands. They represent a field for experimentation with image and sound, showing mutual influence between film and video art.