Tips for Taping in the TV Studio

Benefits of Becoming Familiar with the TV Studio

Taping in the TV studio does not come naturally to most people. Reviewing this information about the studio will help you:

The TV Studio Basics

The studio is laid out very similarly to a traditional classroom. Students sit in rows and the instructor sits at the front of the room.
You can select several sources for content that is recorded. You can display files or web sites on a computer screen, print materials, and write on the writing pad. If displaying files on a computer, it is easier to use the computer provided in the studio, rather than bringing laptops into the studio. Necessary software can be loaded on the studio's computer and files can be accessed off the network.
Computer monitors are provided in the student rows so they can see whatever is displayed on the computer. One monitor is provided for every two students. There is also a large monitor facing the students to the right of the instructor's area.
A technician sits in the control room and operates the equipment in the studio remotely while you are recording. The technician can speak to you through an intercom system.

The Instructor's Work Area

The instructor's work area is placed at the front of the classroom. Three monitors are mounted in front of the instructor's desk.
Monitor A is the used to view what is being displayed on the studio's computer, if it is being used.
Monitor B is used to view what is being recorded on videotape.
Monitor C displays presentation materials used by the instructor (for example, what he/she is displaying with the overheard camera).
Each monitor can be customized to suit your needs.
A Sympodium is available in the work area. The Sympodium allows the instructor to annotate anything that is being displayed from the computer. The annotations can be saved.

Cameras and Their Users

The instructor camera is mounted at the rear of the room and has remote pan and tilt capability, plus zoom, lens opening, and focus control. It is remotely controlled by a technician in the control room and is used to view the instructor or a presentation that takes place in the front of the room.
The overheard camera is mounted vertically, directly over the writing surface on the instructor's table. The camera is used to display materials to the students, such as the writing pad or prepared documents. This camera has a motor-driven pan, tilt, zoom lens opening, and focus. The technician in the control room also remotely controls these functions.
There are two cameras pointing at the student audience to capture in-class discussion.
It is recommended that you present while sitting down at the table in front of the instructor camera. If you prefer to stand, we can accommodate you, but wandering too far from the table may cause students watching the recording to have difficulty concentrating on the lecture.

Audio

The instructor is required to wear a small wireless lavaliere microphone that fastens to his/her suit coat or shirt. Wearing clothing with a pocket is a good idea because without one you will be required to hold the microphone or rest it on the table.
Placement and awareness of the lavaliere microphone is important. The microphone should be fastened to an area that will not be covered by an object or rubbed against. The technician is available to assist with this.
Microphones are placed in the studio rows to capture student questions in the recording.

Suggested Attire

Choose medium or pastel colored clothing. Avoid wearing white or very light colors (to accommodate these bright colors, the technicians have to darken the entire picture).
Avoid wearing clothing with dominant patterns, such as broad stripes or startling designs.
Avoid wearing bright, reflective materials and jewelry that can reflect light.

Interaction with Distance Students

If you are recording a class that will be streamed online to distance learning students, try to maintain contact with the distance students by looking into the instructor's camera as much as possible. This gives the impression that you are talking to them.

Tip

The ATC recommends that you schedule a tour of the TV studio before you tape in it so you are more familiar with the layout, equipment, and process. Contact the ATC at atc-ttc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220 to schedule an appointment.

Maintained by itweb@wpi.edu
Last modified: Sep 13, 2005, 11:39 EDT