OB rigging
This is a page about the various rigging setups that YSTV typically use for OBs. It even has diagrams! This page is mainly for those wondering how broadcasts work and are setup, if you're looking for more information then see some of the many pages on this wiki or ask a techie.
Okay, moving on. YSTV live stream broadcasts fall into 2 categories, OB and studio shows. Both are setup fairly similarly, but there are variations of each that apply in different situations.
Studio
Studio shows are centred around a set (normally some standard procedure sofas) with cameras in-front and lighting above and in-front. For the sake of this guide, we'll just use a simple generic setup. There are some known foibles in the studio, the radiator in the corner next to the fire exit for example, sometimes makes a bit of a noise which can be an issue for sound setup. On the same note, we also have a (sometimes) busy corridor behind the fire exit that occasionally has maths students (AHHHHHHHHH) who also produce a lot of noise. Unless it's something very official (like YUSU elections) we can't really tell them to shut up. So the best option is just to roll with it.
Equipment
- A set
* We normally just use the sofas we have and a bit of a backdrop
- Cameras
* Normal studio cameras Panasonics and the specialist studio cameras C100s.
- Lighting setup
* See our lanterns and their uses guide on this page and the lighting guide right here.
- Cabling
* XLR, COAX, CAT5, 13A power.
- Teleprompter The AutoDerp
Assembly
The main part of studio rigging is based around the set. Creating and finalising the set (whatever this may be, normally sofas) is the first stage. Once this is finished and the show is ready to go, the lighting and camera placement need to be figured out.
These two teams (for the sake of everything, use teams) have to work together so that the lighting is as good as possible and the cameras get the coverage required without the two being in each others way.
* Diagrams help so you don't end up stepping on each others toes. See lanterns on this page and the lighting guide right here for help
Sound
Mic up (see the microphone guide) and ensure these are also not obvious to the cameras (if at all possible) and they aren't casting shadows. The normal setup for these is;
- Mic up presenters, or anyone that needs to move with the shure wireless lavs
* These sound the best of all the Lavs we have, but must be mounted correctly on the people.
- Normally use handhelds for the guest/s
* As they probably will have to be passed around as the guests change and this makes it easier, teach guests how to use them first for the love of sanity.
- Backup rifle microphones from the rig pointed at groups of people likely taking together
* Normally we don't need them but better to be safe than sorry. When placed from the rig these microphones have a large enough pickup pattern to grab a whole area of the set (1 sofa of guests for example) if their microphones fail, while not picking up the crew (who are likely faffing to fix the issue).
When setting up sound remember to hide the cables either in or behind the set / sofas. This keeps everything neat and tidy and looks better than obvious cables trailing everywhere around the set. Also tape the cables down when they have to go across the floor in case the cast or crew trip and die.
Cameras
Camera setup will likely depend on the show being shot. Almost all shows will need to be at least 3 cameras (wide and 2 mids), with the wide being the master and the 2 mid shots being, say, 1 for the 2 guests and 1 for the 2 presenters. Further on from this, tight shots can be introduced.
For example, for a Tea time chat episode, we use;
- 1 Camera as a master wide of the 2 sofas which make up the set
- 1 Camera in the Teleprompter The AutoDerp as a mid on the presenters
- 1 Camera focused on the 2 guests as both a mid and (as it's operated) a tight shot as and when the director needs tight shots
- 1 Camera next to the Teleprompter to act as a tight on one or other of the presenters
Obviously, this setup can be simplified to just 3 rather than 4 but the 4th allows for redundancy. This setup actually applies to a bunch more shows than just a tea time chat and can be expanded further to work with larger shows or more redundancy.
Example: Further additions
- 1 Camera overhead onto an area of interest in the set, a piece of paper or someone doing a task etc (normally a GoPro)
- 1 or 2 audience cameras
- Always keep a safety wide, when things go fucky you go'n need a panic wide. This normally can be a static camera without an operator. Often for studio shows like Tea Time chat can be very useful as this is our training show and thus things are more likely to go wrong.
* Equally, a wide of part of the set like 1 sofa through the autocue can be very useful when switching guests.