The following tips are provided as a reference for more experienced producers.  New producers should not try to over-prepare or get bogged down with the information.  These descriptions are best used as an overview of possible situations that may occur in the future. 

 

Here are some examples of situations that tend to slow down production:

 

1. Wardrobe color.  Clothes without buttons, pleats, flaps, collars, or lapels can make it tricky to find a good place to clip the microphone.  Sometimes wardrobe colors are so similar to the studio curtain that a new curtain has to be chosen at the last minute.  Curtain colors are red, blue, black, and sand.  Each curtain has strengths and weaknesses.  The red curtain looks best when under-lit.  The blue curtain needs enough light to keep it from appearing black, and it needs to be over-lit when using chroma key technology.  The black curtain looks flat but is good for cluttered sets that need shadows hidden.  The sand curtain looks best when under-lit but often looks much better when the curtain is positioned in waves along the floor to create depth through shadows and a color accent light. 

 

2. Props.  When props are used to create artistic compositions on the set, sometimes it's difficult to position them properly to satisfy multiple camera angles.  If you have large posters with information for the television viewer to read, it's best to use the sand curtain so that the studio has flexibility in adjusting exposures to satisfy both the posters and the people on stage.  Any props with glass also present lighting challenges because of reflections.

 

3. VCR's.  Digital equipment comes in the form of computers and digital videotape recorders.  Both are known to crash in the middle of recording.  Coordinating a live edit can be awkward at first for people on stage, but it is the best solution.  Patience is a virtue in these situations; however, as an alternative, before taping, you can ask your director to continue recording without stopping the show in the event of a crash.  In that case, you would lose a few seconds on the air due to "technical difficulties."  Therefore, this plan should only be used if you are on an absolutely unforgiving, incredibly tight schedule and don't have time to stop, re-group, and pick up.

 

4. Sound.  Perhaps the worst offender, audio is the most common source of trouble.  As a percentage of the broadcast day, network/cable news probably has as many instances of audio problems during interviews as anyone.  You can increase the odds in your favor by making sure all guests and volunteers turn OFF their cell phones.  Even if a cell phone is set to vibrate, the receipt of that signal can cause major interference.  All electronic components are required by the FCC to accept such interference.  Also, be sure not to sit in such a way as to apply pressure to the microphone transmitters/battery packs, and place the microphone itself no higher than the upper-chest level (not near the base of the neck).