Basics of Production
This term refers to everything that happens before filming begins, including planning, scheduling, and script breakdowns.
What is pre-production?
This is the opening scene of a show designed to hook the audience before the title sequence.
What is a show open?
This type of shot is used during interviews to visually support what the subject is saying.
What is B-roll?
This on-air role is responsible for carrying the tone of the show, executing smooth tosses to packages, and filling unexpected dead air without breaking professionalism.
Who is the Anchor?
This is the one thing Ms. H says you never have enough of, and yet you never include enough of it or it doesn't match what the person is saying.
What is B-roll?
This document outlines shot composition, camera movement, and visual planning before filming begins.
What is a storyboard?
These lines on the camera help you frame a subject properly.
This pre-produced news-style package includes B-roll, interviews, and a reporter voiceover.
What is an ENG?
This type of show open begins with a short scene or hook before any title sequence or theme music plays.
What is a cold open?
This person operates the switcher to execute camera cuts and graphic transitions.
What is the technical director (TD)?
This piece of equipment sits in the equipment cabinet begging to be used, yet somehow students still choose handheld chaos for a static interview.
What is a tripod?
This process involves analyzing a script to identify props, locations, cast, wardrobe, and technical needs before production begins.
What is a script breakdown?
This shot size frames a subject from mid-chest or waist up and is commonly used in dialogue scenes.
What is a medium shot?
This segment is where the anchors greet the audience, introduce themselves, and preview what’s coming up in the episode.
What is the anchor intro?
This type of question cannot be answered with yes or no and is used to encourage detailed responses in interviews.
What is an open-ended question?
This crew member monitors and adjusts microphone levels during the show.
What is the audio operator?
When a group films an entire scene from one wide shot and calls it “cinematic,” Ms. H says she did not sign up to watch this. You could have added more of these to avoid this.
Camera Angles
This mistake happens when props, actor positions, or lighting change between takes without narrative justification.
What is a continuity error?
This rule states that the camera should stay on one side of an imaginary line to maintain screen direction.
What is the 180-degree rule?
This rolling sequence appears at the end of the show and recognizes the cast and crew who contributed to production.
What are the credits?
This interview technique involves repeating part of the subject’s answer in your next question to clarify or expand on their response.
What is restating the question?
When a camera feed fails during a live show, this role must immediately adjust shot calls and verbally redirect the crew without breaking broadcast flow.
What is the Director?
This moment occurs when a student proudly says “I'm done!” but then proceeds to not know how to do this.
What is exporting?
This color adjustment corrects exposure and white balance to make footage look natural before stylistic changes are added.
What is color correction?
This production role is responsible for maintaining visual continuity between takes.
What is a script supervisor?
This segment allows anchors to expand on information, provide transitions, or introduce the next story after a package airs.
What is anchor information?
This credit typically appears first in end credits and is reserved for individuals with the highest creative authority.
What is an executive producer credit?
This crew member is responsible for managing multiple responsibilities, one being turning off house lights and activating stage lights before a live broadcast.
Who is the Floor Manager?
This framing decision makes Ms. H physically recoil in her chair because the subject is planted directly in the middle like a passport photo.
What is dead-center framing?
This editing choice is used to remove unnecessary pauses, filler words, or awkward silence from interviews.
What is trimming?