Good evening everyone, today I am coming to talk to you about Vision Mixer according to Creative skill set.
http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/tv/job_roles/318_vision_mixer
Vision Mixers edit programmes live (as they are being transmitted or recorded), using a variety of transition methods, such as cuts, mixes, wipes and frame manipulation. They join together images from various visual sources, including cameras, video tape recorders (VTR Machines), graphic generators and digital video effects (DVEs). They are the Director‘s ‘second pair of eyes’ in the gallery.
Vision Mixers work on programmes that are either transmitted live, recorded as live, or pre-recorded in a multi-camera environment in studios or during Outside Broadcasts (OBs). On studio-based programmes, Vision Mixers work in the production gallery, on OBs they are based in the mobile production gallery in the OB vehicle.
In pre-production for a news, current affairs or light entertainment programming, Vision Mixers work from running orders, usually prepared by Producers, which outline the premise of the programme, and detail the shot requirements. They then work closely with Directors to interpret the script, discussing which transitions are required from shot to shot, whether and when visual effects and/or graphics should be used, and suggesting alternatives where certain transitions are impossible.
Vision Mixers must be aware of the capabilities and limitations of different vision mixing desks, and suggest ways of using them to fulfil the Director’s vision for each production.
During recording or live transmission, Vision Mixers work with the Director to visually create the programme. Vision Mixers must be able to multitask, as they may be required to cut from shot to shot during a live interview at the same time as listening to the Producer’s instructions to the Director about the next item to be transmitted, at the same time as setting up the next transition on the effects bank, at the same time as listening to the Production Assistant’s countdown to the next item.
As running orders on news programmes can change by the second, Vision Mixers must be able to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing demands. They often work from more than one visual source, for example when adding graphics with the required name, location and date, to relevant shots.
On some light entertainment, and all sitcoms, soaps and drama, Vision Mixers use rehearsals to practice the required transitions, and where appropriate to suggest alternatives to Directors. They make detailed notes on the camera script about transition types, graphics and technical effects.
On music programming, Vision Mixers are given more leeway and must cut to the music or beat, or to a musical score, particularly when working on classical music productions. On live productions, they are required to react quickly when problems arise, for example by cutting to another suitable camera source smoothly and calmly.
On especially complicated productions, particularly in light entertainment, two vision mixers may work together: one vision mixing, the other operating all other equipment, such as Stills Store, DVE, hard disc/VT play-ins.
Have you thought about what it takes to be a Vision Mixer? Please share your comments with me and others because I have more to share tomorrow.