Setting up a Simple Video Studio
November 12 2009
This post continues the discussion on setting up your own video studio. Meant for all those budding directors out there who find themselves setting up the same shots over and over again. An easy to follow guide on what you will need to set up and run your own studio, and make movies like the pro’s.
So last time we covered the space, the cameras, the switcher and the cut-scene players. This time round we’ll start with audio.
Sound is handled exactly the same way as the special effects or graphics. All of the microphones and sound effects generators will be connected to the mixing desk, which in turn will be connected to the switcher. The audio engineer will man the desk and mix all the audio for the production from there. The audio will be added to the feed that the director sees.
The switcher outputs to whatever device you are using to record the show. This can be a computer or dedicated recording machine. Whatever it is, it will need to get the feed from the switcher.
You will also need at least three monitors, one for each camera. The director needs to know what each shot looks like before switching to it. It isn’t so bad when recording material, but live broadcasts need to be spot on, so the director needs to see the whole picture before making their decision.
Lighting is also critical in any studio. It is one of the most important aspects of movie making, and no less so here. More often than not, the lights surround the shot. There are lights on the ceiling on a grid, then some either site of the camera, pointing in towards the shot. Lighting is very important, and one much time and research should be put into to get right.
Each member of the crew is going to need to communicate during the shoot without interfering with it. This means headsets and a communication loop. Then the director can call shot changes, angle changes or whatever else they need to make the shoot. Doing all that without making noise is essential. Having a pre-planned script is all very well, but changes happen, and they will need to be communicated.
If space allows, there should be a control room, or area separate from the studio floor. This is where the director can sit and make the calls. If it can’t be separate, then a curtain or something needs to be between the room and the set. The director needs to be able to control and direct without being heard in the studio.
So there are the basics of how to set up your own studio. Just about everything you would need in order to get things working. The recording systems and specific equipment choices are too open for personal preference to be discussed here, so a high level view is all you need. Hope it helps.
This post continues the discussion on setting up your own video studio. Meant for all those budding directors out there who find themselves setting up the same shots over and over again. An easy to follow guide on what you will need to set up and run your own studio, and make movies like the pro’s.
So last time we covered the space, the cameras, the switcher and the cut-scene players. This time round we’ll start with audio.
Sound is handled exactly the same way as the special effects or graphics. All of the microphones and sound effects generators will be connected to the mixing desk, which in turn will be connected to the switcher. The audio engineer will man the desk and mix all the audio for the production from there. The audio will be added to the feed that the director sees.
The switcher outputs to whatever device you are using to record the show. This can be a computer or dedicated recording machine. Whatever it is, it will need to get the feed from the switcher.
You will also need at least three monitors, one for each camera. The director needs to know what each shot looks like before switching to it. It isn’t so bad when recording material, but live broadcasts need to be spot on, so the director needs to see the whole picture before making their decision.
Lighting is also critical in any studio. It is one of the most important aspects of movie making, and no less so here. More often than not, the lights surround the shot. There are lights on the ceiling on a grid, then some either site of the camera, pointing in towards the shot. Lighting is very important, and one much time and research should be put into to get right.
Each member of the crew is going to need to communicate during the shoot without interfering with it. This means headsets and a communication loop. Then the director can call shot changes, angle changes or whatever else they need to make the shoot. Doing all that without making noise is essential. Having a pre-planned script is all very well, but changes happen, and they will need to be communicated.
If space allows, there should be a control room, or area separate from the studio floor. This is where the director can sit and make the calls. If it can’t be separate, then a curtain or something needs to be between the room and the set. The director needs to be able to control and direct without being heard in the studio.
So there are the basics of how to set up your own studio. Just about everything you would need in order to get things working. The recording systems and specific equipment choices are too open for personal preference to be discussed here, so a high level view is all you need. Hope it helps.
Keywords: green screen, video, video production
Posted by spelzmann |
