Production truck

HDLA Production Truck

Television production trucks were developed to take television studios on the road so video productions could be made at distant locations for a remote broadcast, outside broadcasting (OB), electronic field production (EFP) with multiple-camera setup and a support of a number of different technologies to bring everything together. Each production varies, some require a crew of about 12-16 to make sure the production goes smoothly. There are usually one or two other trucks following the main production truck with some of the equipment not able to fit in the main truck, as well as an uplink truck required to transmit the video across the world. There are companies that contain both the functions of a satellite truck and production truck in a single truck body to save space, time and are considerably low cost. (See Also SDTV)

Other television production trucks are smaller in size and generally require two or three people in the field to manage. For instance broadcast journalism news reporters providing live television, local news in the field electronic news gathering (ENG) outside a formal television studio. In some cases, it can be a station wagon, people carrier or even a motorbike (especially in cities with congested streets or where a rapid response is needed and a motorbike is more manouvreable).

Equipment

TV news production truck doing a remote broadcast at New York Passenger Ship Terminal. The tall telescoping antenna is pointed at a receiving antenna on the Empire State Building, allowing the truck to send video by microwave link to the production facility.

Crew

A television crew can include: Technical Director, Camera operator, Video Tape Operator, Video Technician, Audio Mix Engineer, Audio Assistant, Graphic Operator, Production Assistant and Broadcast Engineer.

Technical Director (TD) – The TD operates the video switcher during a telecast. The TD translates the cues from the Director to take a specific source and route that to “the air” or line cut. The TD is also in charge of setting up the production room with the correct sources on the monitor wall in front of the Director and TD. The TD sets up the video switchers “cuts” and graphics overlays before the telecast, and when necessary will “key” them over the video.
Camera operator or Camera Op – The Camera Op set up the cameras at various locations around the venue before the telecast. The Camera Ops focus on subjects and zoom for different kinds of framing of the subjects. Camera Ops also listen to the director for targets of new shots and for the focus of the production. Some productions require the Camera Op to be very quick and responsive to any and all action. A sample of some shots called from the Director include: wide, tight, over the shoulder, extreme close up, 2 shot, 3 shot, etc. In the end of each production, they are also in charge of striking their equipment back to the production truck for safe keeping.
Video Tape Operator and Digital Disc Operator (EVS) Operators – The Tape Operators control the recording equipment that receives the video from the various cameras. They coordinate with the Director on playing back pre-recorded video, and other replays of action they recorded. The EVS Operator records and plays back instant replays and small wrap-ups of the action that is accessed from a Video server.
Video Technician or Camera Shader – The Video Technician is in charge of all the cameras' iris and overall look of the cameras video. They can “shade” the cameras for optimizing the color and unifying all the cameras’ colors and shade. The Video Technician also troubleshoots the issues that may arise with the cameras, cable length and intercom.
Audio Mix Engineer or Audio Mixer A1 – The A1 controls the sounds that the audience will listen to. They will mix the assorted sounds such as crowd noise, effect sounds, announcers, etc. They route the different sources of sounds from microphones, cameras, discs, video tapes, telephones, EVS, or outside audio sources, into the audio mixing board for control. They are also in charge of ensuring the audio is successfully being transmitted. They also insure the intercom is working for every station in the production, as well as dial up coordination with a network director. (The A1 may also be referred to as the Audio Director.)
Audio Assistant A2 (remote television production) – The A2 works under the direction of the A1 as they set up all the audio equipment around the venue for various sounds. They also set up the intercom system between the production truck and stage or announcer booths. They are also in charge of “mic-ing” the talent as they enter and exit.
Graphics Operator and Graphics Coordinator – There are a wide range of Digital on-screen graphic elements used in television production, but the main devices are manufactured by Chyron Corporation and Bug Box (Fox Box). The Chyron Character generator “keys” graphics over a specified video the TD chooses, but is generally used for Images, and lower third Messages, as well as occasionally smaller videos. The Bug Box Character generator Operator works the same way but is only for sporting events as it is the Operator that keeps time, score, and statistics on the telecast but shouldn’t be used to show images or messages.
Stage Manager – The Stage Manager is involved in coordinating talent and the direction of the producer and production crew in a booth, stage or area the telecast will be produced. They are in charge of building the stages props and cues, as well as the banners and scenery, but usually outsource to Production assistants.
Utilities or Cable Pullers – These are the people who pull the equipment and cable in and out of the venue. They also are skilled in routing the cables so that they are not seen or in people’s ways. Usually these are people a little less experienced or looking to gain experience in the television industry.
Engineer In Charge (EIC) – The EIC is the Broadcast engineer who knows more about production of the truck than anyone else on the production. They are involved in installing all required equipment, having the correct skills needed to fix and maintain the equipment. EIC’s usually stay on one truck for years learning all the intricacies about each machine and how to fix them in difficult situations.

Transmission of Video

There are many ways of transmitting the video to different places in the world.

Satellites Used for transmission of Television

After the 1970s there were enough satellites in orbit that satellite communication start a consumer market for satellite use in television.[1] This open market for satellite space spawned a flurry in mobile satellite uplink truck's for hire in the United States. Using these trucks in accordance with a television production truck allowed for live viewing of television all across the world. (See also Satellite television). There are trucks being built with the capability for both television production and satellite uplink they are frequently called hybrids. (See also SDTV)

Fiber Optic Lines

Where available, production trucks can use existing high capacity fiberoptic cable to send video directly via the Internet to broadcasting companies for distribution. These accept an asynchronous serial interface (ASI) digital stream from the video encoder. This is a very high quality, low loss way of sending video quickly and securely around the world.

Sources

[1]. Space Today Online Magazine (http://www.spacetoday.org/Satellites/Hamsats/Hamsats1970s.html)