Television director
Encyclopedia
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program
and is part of a television crew
.
(as in a dramatic or interview production).
In both types of productions, the director is responsible for supervising the placement of professional video camera
s (camera blocking), Lighting equipment, microphone
s, and props. In a dramatic arts production, the television director's role can be similar to that of a Film director
, giving cues to actor
s and directing the video tape operator when to start and stop the Video tape recorder (VTR). In a television show composed of individual episode
s, the television director's role may differ from that of a film director in that he or she may work only on some television episodes as opposed to be the auteur of the entire production. In an episodic television production the major creative control will likely reside with the Television producer
(s) of the show. The television producer with creative control is called the showrunner.
A news studio might have multiple cameras and few camera movements. In a sports broadcast, the director might have 20 or 30 cameras and must continuously tell each of the camera operators what to focus on.
While the director is responsible for specific shots and other production elements, the producer
(typically seated behind the director in the second row of chairs in the control room) coordinates the "big picture", including commercial breaks and the running length of the show.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
and is part of a television crew
Television crew
Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew, but with several differences.-Pre-production:-Casting Director:-Costume designer:-Director:* Associate Director -Location Manager:-Make-up artist:...
.
Duties
The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live (as in a Television news or sports television event) or recorded to video tape or video serverVideo server
A video server is a computer based device dedicated to delivering video.Unlike personal computers, being multi-application devices, a video server is designed for one purpose; provisioning video, often for broadcasters. A professional grade video server records, stores, and playout of multiple...
(as in a dramatic or interview production).
In both types of productions, the director is responsible for supervising the placement of professional video camera
Professional video camera
A professional video camera is a high-end device for creating electronic moving images...
s (camera blocking), Lighting equipment, microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
s, and props. In a dramatic arts production, the television director's role can be similar to that of a Film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, giving cues to actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s and directing the video tape operator when to start and stop the Video tape recorder (VTR). In a television show composed of individual episode
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
s, the television director's role may differ from that of a film director in that he or she may work only on some television episodes as opposed to be the auteur of the entire production. In an episodic television production the major creative control will likely reside with the Television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
(s) of the show. The television producer with creative control is called the showrunner.
Responsibilities
Other than quickly calling out commands, the television director is also expected to maintain order among the staff in the control room, on the set, and elsewhere.A news studio might have multiple cameras and few camera movements. In a sports broadcast, the director might have 20 or 30 cameras and must continuously tell each of the camera operators what to focus on.
While the director is responsible for specific shots and other production elements, the producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
(typically seated behind the director in the second row of chairs in the control room) coordinates the "big picture", including commercial breaks and the running length of the show.