Television Production

 

Preproduction planning. The most important phase of TV production is preproduction. In preproduction the basic ideas and approaches of the production are developed and set into motion. It is in this phase that the TV production can be set on a proper course or misdirected (messed up) to such an extent that no amount of time, talent, or editing expertise can save it. Part of preproduction is the Target Audience Assessment. In order for the program to be successful, the needs, interests, and general background of the target audience (the audience your production is designed to reach) must be studied and kept in mind throughout each part of the Television production process. This is an important step as your audience will be different pending on if you are producing a children's show, a talk show on poker news, or a documentary about Abraham Lincoln. Another part of preproduction is to write the show "treatment". It is the general outline of the shows concept before a script is written. During preproduction, not only are key talent and production members decided, but all of the major elements are also planned. Since things such as scenic design, lighting, and audio are interrelated, they must be carefully coordinated in a series of production meetings.

 

Hiring the right production team management. TKTV can provide your show with:

 

Production Services.

 

• Venue / Stage selection

• Production Trucks

• Studios

• Fly-away gear

• Lighting

• Show Power

• Communications

 

Shows are only as good as the people involved in making them.

 

• Producers; The person who's generally in charge of the entire production is the producer. He or she comes up with the program concept, lays out the budget for the production and makes the major decisions. This person is the team leader, the person who works with the clients, the writers, decides on the key talent, hires the director, and guides the general direction of the production. On average, our TKTV Producers have over 25 years experience in TV production. Some productions may also have an associate producer who sets up schedules for the talent and crew and who, in general, assists the producer throughout the production.

 

• Writers; are needed so a script can be written (the document that tells everyone what to do, say, etc.). The script is a written plan or blueprint for the production. It is also the key factor to your production, which is, getting your intended message across to your intended audience.

 

• Directors; Are the people in charge of working out the visual aspects of the production, coordinating the activities and duties of the on-camera talent, working out camera and talent positions on the set, selecting the camera shots during the production, and supervising postproduction (after the production) work. In other words, the director is the front line commander in charge of taking the script from visualization to the very end of the production process. TKTV is proud to offer Emmy Award Winners and Nominees & future Emmy Award winning directors for your show.

 

• Talent; The key talent or "STARS" for the production will normally be the next thing considered by a producer. In general, the talent includes actors, reporters, hosts, guests, and off-camera narrators—anyone whose voice is heard or who appears on camera. Sometimes talent is broken down into four sub-categories: actors, (who portray other people in dramatic productions), performers (who appear on camera in non-dramatic roles), extras, (who are the "filler" cast members) and announcers (who generally don't appear on camera).

 

• Technical Directors; or TD, is responsible for coordinating the technical aspects of the production. The also help the director in the control room during the shoot by operating the video switcher.

 

• Director of Photography; or DP is responsible for "setting up" the shot so that the image captured by the camera is the one intended by the director.

 

• Art Directors; or sometimes known as a set designer, who, along with the producer and director, designs the set and supervise its construction, painting, and installation.

 

• Lighting Directors; or LD, who designs the lighting plan, arranges for the lighting equipment needed, and sets up and checks the lighting. Lighting is a key element in the overall look of a production.

 

• Production Staff/Crew Floor manager or stage manager who's responsible for coordinating activities on the set. He or she may be assisted by one or more floor persons, or stagehands.

 

• Production Assistants; PA's may be hired to help the producer and director. Among other things, PA's keep notes on ongoing production needs and changes. Sometimes the PA is known as continuity secretary, or CS, who carefully makes notes on scene and continuity details as each scene is shot to ensure that these details remain consistent between takes and scenes.

 

• Camerapersons, Camera operators do more than just operate cameras. They typically help set up the cameras and ensure their technical quality, and they work with the director, lighting director and audio technician in blocking (setting up) and shooting each shot. On a field (out-of-the-studio, or on-location) production they may also arrange for camera equipment pickup and delivery.

 

• Audio A1 & A2's; arranges for the audio recording equipment, sets up and checks mics (microphones), monitors audio quality during the production, and then strikes the audio recording equipment and accessories after the production is over. On some shows there will be the microphone boom/grip operator. They watch rehearsals and decide on the proper mics and their placement for each scene. During an on-location (out-of-the-studio) shoot this person may need strong arms to hold the mic boom over the talent for long periods of time.

 

• Video Tape Operators; VTO's arrange video recording equipment and accessories, sets up video recordings, performs recording checks, and monitors video quality.

 

• Character Generator Operators; The CG Op programs (designs/types in) opening titles, subtitles, some graphics, and closing credits into a computer-based device that inserts the text over the video.

 

• Still Store Operators, catch single frames of video to be used again later in the production.

 

• Make-up Artists & Hair Dressers Wardrobe person is responsible for seeing that the actors have clothes that are appropriate to the story and script.

 

• Post Production Services; Editing, including the addition of music & graphics & effects.

 

• Ancillary Production Services; In most cities and in many foreign countries it's not possible to just go to the location of your choice, set up your tripod, and start shooting. Except for spot news and short documentary segments, access permits, licenses, security bonds and insurance policies must be arranged. Many semipublic interior locations, such as shopping malls, require filming permits. Depending on the nature of the production, liability insurance and security bonds may be necessary in case an accident is directly or indirectly attributed to the production. In some locations the controlling agency will limit exterior production to certain areas and to specific hours. If there's a street scene and traffic will be affected, it will be necessary to arrange for special police. Permits & Licenses Production Payroll & Accounting Legal Security Catering Transportation Promotion & Publicity