TV Production Methods: Studio, Field, and Planning Strategies
By Means of Capturing, Recording, and Editing
This classification criterion is based on the technical means used in television program production. The type and number of cameras (studio, camcorder) are essential for the production type.
To enhance implementation capability, increasing camera sites and views often leads to live production and sequential assembly of recordings. Alternatively, for non-live productions, using more than one camcorder for double-take pictures is an option.
Single Camera
This involves recording individual shots for later restructuring through editing or assembly. It’s typical for documentaries, foreign fiction, and informational programs.
Multicamera
This production, in a studio or on location, uses two or more cameras simultaneously during image capture, with selection and assembly occurring during the event or program.
By Number of Programs
Production possibilities are strongly affected by whether the event is serial and how it’s organized.
Serial or Periodic
Each production comprises several chapters or issues. This has advantages for broadcasters: consistent characters and scenarios allow extended recruitment of technical and artistic staff, greater return on production teams, continuous work, strategic programming (daily or weekly programs over time), and audience loyalty. Depending on the format, serial productions may have varied content each day/week (news, competitions, reports) or maintain chronological content (fiction films).
One-Off
This results in a single, unique program. It’s less common due to programming strategy and audience loyalty challenges.
By Program Planning
This refers to the degree of pre-program preparation, ranging from precise planning to improvisation.
The organization of production varies with site procedures and content nature, from “spontaneous” to meticulously planned. It depends on the desired artistic level, technical quality, and team experience.
Production with Complex Planning
This emphasizes pre-recording and editing, with rigorous planning: script meetings, casting, location scouting, testing, shooting schedules, etc. This is common for studio programs, fiction series, and documentaries.
Whether in-studio or on-location, time efficiency is crucial. While minor programs may be discussed days before, major projects require extensive planning: team organization, instructions, time estimates, cost, human resources, insurance, etc. This depends on the program type, recording method, elements, special devices, rehearsal time, and media.
Live or recorded shows need time for staff, camera movements, costume/scenery changes, and equipment restoration. Fragmented recording avoids some issues but introduces others like continuity gaps and assembly needs.
Production with Easy Scheduling
This maintains minimal planning, allowing for more creative, free, and flexible development during program execution. It allows improvisation without precise technical or literary scripts.
Typical examples include interviews, debates, concerts, singers, and news. These are familiar to the team, limiting significant changes and planning. Interpreting the content is more important than achieving a new treatment. These productions follow recognizable lines, with the director-producer starting with planned camera positions and adding specific treatments if necessary.
Planning often involves staff coordination, organizing video inserts (length and cut-off points), graphics, titles, and additional materials. Realization may be based on “master” planes (flat sequence) and spontaneous decisions.
Production without Planning
Total lack of planning is risky, leading to extra efforts and unexpected results. Television is teamwork with substantial financial resources, not improvisation. Without a clear plan, the required level may not be ready, lighting may be inappropriate, or the camera may frame incorrectly. Professionals should always start with a work plan, even a basic one, and then use available materials accordingly. This type of production has little weight in television.
6. Modalities of TV Production
- By Method of Production, Transmission
This mode results from the relationship between program development time and broadcast time, affecting production characteristics. The professional difference lies in whether broadcast is simultaneous with collection, processing, and development (live production) or if it’s a previously developed program (deferred or recorded production).
- Direct: The program signal is transmitted simultaneously with capture. It’s always live, with no possibility of stopping or repeating.
- Deferred Direct: Live production in a TV studio, but not transmitted simultaneously; it’s recorded for later broadcast. This allows greater productivity, maintains live program advantages, facilitates programming strategies, and improves quality through post-production work.
- Recorded: A program developed in different phases (pre-production and post-production), with post-production being most prominent. Emission occurs later.
- Live Broadcasts: Live productions made outside the TV studio using mobile systems.
- Deferred Transmission: Live programs produced by mobile units, offered at a later time according to programming strategy.
By Production Support
This distinguishes production types based on the transmission or recording system.
Television or Electronic
Unsupported, live transmitted or broadcast programs. This requires simultaneous production and capture, including visuals and sound effects. This is virtually obsolete, as all programs are now recorded for economic reasons.
Videographic
Uses video systems, enabling narrative development (assembly) after image capture. This brought film techniques to television: single-camera work, economic planning, shot repetition, etc.
Film
Uses cinematic techniques and film. Initially, television used film until video became widespread. Today, it’s uncommon due to technological and economic limitations, but still used for high-quality products (documentaries, special announcements).
Infographic
Uses digital image processing by computer. Initially in small segments, it now has a greater presence in TV spots.
By Program Production Site
The location determines production methods and program format. Decisions are based on content, budget, technical limitations, stage appeal, script demands, etc.
In the Studio
Production occurs within a television channel’s premises, using operational and technological facilities: multi-realization, direct mount, controlled lighting, etc. This requires artificial lighting and scenarios, often used for programs with no natural realism (contests, music, magazines).
In the Field
Production occurs outside the television premises. Technological developments (mobile units, portable transmission systems) have increased outside-studio work possibilities, allowing natural scenes to develop.
Mixed
Combines studio and field production, using studio techniques and outdoor mobile cameras. This enriches presentation and scenic diversity, allowing external segments in studio formats (information, debates, magazines).