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How to teach new-ish dogs old tricks?

7 replies [Last post]
Tim Ward
User offline. Last seen 4 years 29 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 29 May 2012

I'm working at a new place now where the head TD, and those that he trains, dissolves between cameras for panel/talking head shows. Nobody here has worked in broadcast before (including the higher ups) so there is a lot of self-taught education/training going on. I on the other hand have years of varied experience at multiple places. 

So my question is: how might I, diplomatically, go about "re-training" them to cut cameras instead?

hosko
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User offline. Last seen 5 years 18 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 24 Aug 2008

No star wipe?

Mike Cumbo
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Joined: 18 Aug 2005


Carefully suggest they watch "Meet the Press" or any other show you can record to show them. 

Is this a university station? Local origination cable operation? 

Tim Ward
User offline. Last seen 4 years 29 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 29 May 2012

Hi Mike, I had thought of suggesting that to them. It's a national religious broadcaster. I've tried to think of a great way to explain why we cut, and one of my reasons is because it mimicks human vision and how we experience live events where we scan/dart around and blink with our eyes, "cutting between shots." It also allows us to quickly react to off-cam dialog, versus "preset 3, dissolve 3" delaying the reaction time.

Hosko, I'm still working on the star wipe... Baby steps! ;)

hosko
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In all seriousness when you dissolve (mix in other countries) from one talking head to another you end up with a weird morphing effect. I thought this was directing 101 to always cut from one talking head to another even if it is coming off tape. 

Tim Ward
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Joined: 29 May 2012

Unfortunately there has been no one to teach Directing 101 in the past (or any outside experience), and I'm trying to figure out the best and smoothest way to address several years of missing the fundamentals. 

Bob Ennis
User offline. Last seen 4 years 32 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 24 Aug 2005

If your place is like many or most places, you may have little leverage in trying to do any convincing - you're on the inside, and as such your credibility with these folks may not have much sway...especially over something that may be perceived by others as philosophical or as a particular "style".  If you are anywhere near a larger market where talk or entertainment-style programs are done, it may be worth trying to arrange a "field trip" to watch how others do their shows from the booth and try to get advice from the people who do these shows.  Even in smaller markets, getting to watch a news show (even those done via automation) from the booth can be enlightening.  Your folks may learn more from watching strangers than they would from your advice - even if the message is identical.  Once they get the message, perhaps THEN you could step in & help to bring them up to speed on the basics.

Bob Ennis

Tim Ward
User offline. Last seen 4 years 29 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 29 May 2012

That's a good suggestion Bob. Thanks.

Thank you Mike and Hosko for your help as well.