OT: advice for my first TV show

Randy Brown wrote on 5/18/2003, 3:55 PM
Hi everyone,
I just picked up my first (local) TV production (editing the shows that are shot in the studio and editing/shooting all location shows) and looking for any tips and/or advice you may have. It's a local (audience = around 900,000) 30 minute talk show consisting of three 8 minute segments. In the studio, they have 3 camera operators, a director and assistant that times the segments ; my "editing" for these shows is a breeze as the camera shots are chosen in real time by the director. The location shows entails me as cameraman running 2 cameras (one stationary 2 or 3 shot and one for zooms) and trying to time the segments (very distractive and nerve-racking). I'm only being paid $700/month plus expenses and the location shoots are only done 1-2 times per month so hiring an assistant is not the answer, so I was thinking if I can find a big-ass countdown timer that the talent could see from 10 feet away, this would solve my problem. I've Google searched but only come up with very expensive (several hundred dollars) time keepers. There's got to be something under say $50...any suggestions on this or general advice/war stories would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Randy

Comments

filmy wrote on 5/18/2003, 4:39 PM
Dunno if this helps but the studio I used to work in did the ole finger point method - about 10 seconds before we would just say "10 seconds..." and than start to countdown and then go silent at about 3 and just do the point. For the end, in our case average 30 minutes, we had simple print outs that were laminated. 15, 10, 5, 3, 1 and would just hold them up. We would prep the talent before hand and make sure the knew where to look and that could see. The concept is, and even with a "big-ass countdown timer", to make sure the talent pays attention. the distance form talent to control room was about 15 feet. Worked fine.

Randy Brown wrote on 5/18/2003, 5:11 PM
Thanks Filmy,
Sounds like you were doing live broadcasts (fortunately I don't have to worry about that!). I don't have to countdown an intro, they just "inaudibly chat" and then the host turns and addresses the camera. The host is good at hitting that 8 minutes as long as someone cues her at 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Thanks again,
Randy
filmy wrote on 5/18/2003, 10:59 PM
Did I misunderstand something? Why do you need the counter than if you don't have to countdown an intro or an outro? If you are the only person who needs to know the time can't you just get a stop watch for yourself?
Randy Brown wrote on 5/19/2003, 7:55 AM
The host just needs to know when 8 minutes is up (actually one minute and 30 seconds prior to 8 min) to wrap up the segment. The chat at the intro and outro are for when she ends a few seconds short (to play the theme music over). Make sense?
Thanks filmy,
Randy
filmy wrote on 5/19/2003, 9:05 AM
Ok..so I didn't misunderstand. :)

So going back to what I had said - in my case it was a 30 minute show, in your case it is 8 minute segments. So the cards could be like 4, 2, 1 (or 90 seconds if that is what you want) and you just hold them up.

The other thing you might cehck into, if you really wanted to counter idea, is going to a radio station and see if they have any old timers they are getting rid of. Problem is most of them run tied into a master clock and may not work for your use.
Randy Brown wrote on 5/19/2003, 9:18 AM
I feel I have to go with the big timer since I can't hold up cards / watch the timer while trying to shoot with 2 cameras.
Thanks filmy,
Randy
filmy wrote on 5/19/2003, 10:29 AM
I am not so sure you will be able to find a countdown timer for under $50, maybe around $100 you could find something. Maybe you can build one yourself? Go to radio shack and get the parts and try?

I would really try some radio stations and even some TV stations and see if they have any old timers laying around they would sell you.

The only other thing I could think off is if you use a monitor set up on location for the talent. If so you could try and run a SMPTE window on the monitor and use that.
Randy Brown wrote on 5/19/2003, 2:42 PM
>>The only other thing I could think off is if you use a monitor set up on location for the talent. If so you could try and run a SMPTE window on the monitor and use that.<<
That is a great idea filmy, I'll try that!
Thanks,
Randy
Former user wrote on 5/19/2003, 2:58 PM
Find an old Gralab Darkroom timer. They were large and easy to set.

Dave T2