production roles for "Answer this?"

We began the day by pitching our ideas describing how we imagined filming it would go, saying about all the ideas we had and saying things that might be issues when filming. For my idea was a movie based game show and mine was chosen to film. Host- Usama Contestant- Saima Contestant- Rebecca Camera 1- Alima Camera 2- Jelyseen Camera 3- Sabrina Teleprompt- Aniqah Director- Viktors Vision mixer- Tianna Sound- Aayan and myself Floor manager- Trang Graphics- Deniz

My role in pre-production was to write the script or prompts for the host to read or improvise to, I also started the shooting script before Tianna took over as director. As it was my show to begin with it was my pitch to follow.

Case study - 30 Seconds To Mars (Download Festival 2013)

Coverage of action...
I would say there is definitely six cameras or more used throughout the filming of this set at the concert they are located everywhere corners of the stage, behind the band, on a crane above the audience. Most of the cameras are set at wide angles as they try to get coverage of the whole stage (the whole band) and the as much of the crowd of audience as possible, however some are set on close up on the artist and the bands instruments this is to show the fans what they want to see the expressions and see the energy of the concert.

Communicating meaning...
The quality of footage is to make the viewers and fans at home feel apart of the energy in the audience this is done by cutting from stage to crowd.

Visual style...
The artists on stage are jumpy and sweaty showing how energetic performance is, All over the stage are signs for that its "Download", the artist is asking the crowd to join in and part way through the singer picks up a union jack flag showing that the concert is based in the UK, the stage has loads of strobe light effects that change into various colours and a screen with different graphics that appear that represent the band and the concert as whole.

Viewer interest...
When it comes to concerts most fans will have a favourite song they look out for in a set, also by the fast cutting pace shows enough coverage of both the act and the audience to keep those watching interested. And also showing the instruments close up being played makes those interested in instruments or their favourite person in the band continue watching.

Constraints...
A concert is a huge space to cover, so a lot of cameras are needed in order to get a substantial amount of coverage, but by using a crane there is no fear of cameras getting broken by the audience at least.

Multi camera...
The use of multiple cameras is to get as much coverage as possible and this especially important at a concert as its a live event there is no re-takes.  

Case study - Conan

Coverage of action...
Much like our college set up there appears to be three cameras, one on a mid-shot Mila (guest), one on a mid-shot of Conan (host) and the third on wide shot of the both of them this is to show the two of them interacting with each other talking, joking and to see their body language towards one another. Even though this is only a small section of the show the rest of the show is built up of comedy sketches, musical guests of live band and more interviews with other guests.

Communicating meaning...
As this is a chat show there usual purpose is to promote the guest/s new films, shows, album or tours but it is also another way of getting to know the person in a comfortable environment with a series of questions about experiences on set with co-stars and the making of and questions about their personal life in order to help the viewer understand more about the guests they show this by cutting between the host and the guests but also showing split screens of video clips or photos involving the guests.

Visual style...
The set up of the stage is formal with the desk that Conan sits at as if its a formal interview (which it is), however its less formal with the sofas and chairs, some guests dress up for the occasion and some dont its not a requirement of the show. The atmosphere is a relaxed feeling like two old friends catching up. The main colours used for the graphics and set up is blue and orange sown say that the Orange is to represent the Conan's ginger hair. The desk used could also show the news or informative feel the host is going for.

Viewer interest...
Is kept throughout the show because of the host being such a comedian by coming out with these spontaneous jokes that are more offensive towards himself gaining laughter from both the audience and the guests and by using cutaways of pictures and clips that are humorous involving the guests and or host.

Constraints...
I think that the audience is a small intimate group as the laughter is not loud enough or varied enough for a crowd of people. However the studio is rather large at certain points they might need more cameras or have them on a track or dolly as sometimes the show starts of backstage as little mini comedy sketches.

Multi camera...
Much like with a sit-com its a good idea to have a back up camera in case one breaks down, however in the case of a chat show the idea is to get as much coverage as possible as in one take as most of an interview is constant and if you stop the flow you might not get the same reaction. Using multiple cameras means there's coverage of everything so nothing is missed.

Case study 2 Broke Girls

Coverage of action...
Four cameras situated in both of the corners of the stage in front of the studio audience, and the other two are in the middle of the other two cameras they can usually rotate around the studio. There's mainly mid shots and wide shots used throughout as well as tracking shots as they walk from one section of the stage to another such as the diner to the kitchen and panning with a through cutaways of the city and buildings throughout and of course the customary close ups or slow zoom to show emotion. The actual show itself is filmed on various sets within the studio that are made to look like New York City. 

Communicating meaning...
As its a sit-com the aim is to make the audience laugh and relate to the characters and their storyline. some over the shoulder shots as if your getting a point view shot or as if your apart of the shot. Cutting between characters as they speak to see their facial expressions when they talk and their body language, wide shots to show action within a scene and close up shots to see reactions.

Visual style...
Given that the storyline is these girls being poor and living on the breadline and it being set in New York (Williamsburg) there is cutaways that show this as well as them saying it over and over again throughout the show. Both the apartment and diner have a very basic layout, outdated and messy. The uniforms they have to wear look cheap and something from the 70s/80s. Both girls have different ways of style Max dresses revealing sometimes and messy as if most of her clothes come from charity shops and Caroline as her character was once rich has a more classy look about her wearing always wearing pearls around her neck so it makes us think the only thing she left home with was her clothes. The theme song is called "second chance" subliminal messaging that thats what the show is about second chances and at the end of each episode it has an on screen amount that appears letting us know just how much they've saved up from their business.

Viewer interest...
Because it is filmed in front of a live studio audience and filmed for TV they try to keep both audiences interested through the jokes that are told and the cutaways of the city with snippets of there backing track to break it up. The change of scenery, same layout in pretty much every episode of series 1 starting of in the diner with a one on one joke setting the scene. By using a mix of camera angles they keep the audiences interest as they are seeing a different thing on screen also I think that given the scenery changes to different sets throughout but always goes back to the dinner a comforting place in each episode.

Constraints...
The studio audience atmosphere can seem a bit tense as each joke may have been repeated multiple times or some scenes may have to be changed to gain a stronger reaction of laughs from the audience. They try to get as many people as possible to be there for each recording for a more realistic laugh from the audience so there is limited seating. Due to each set being small the amount of space can be a constraint as to where to put the cameras for maximum footage and not block the audiences view of the. Show.

Multi camera...
The use of using four or more cameras is so you can get a constant recording from various angles but also the idea of having a back up camera for those rare cases of camera breakdown. By using multiple cameras they are able to get the same scene filmed from various different angles in one hit means less pausing and redoing.