Week 5 TVP107

This first week of holidays I have been into the studio twice with Marcus and once with Jason and they have both been really big learning curves. The first time Marcus and I did allot of work with the lighting with him showing me how to direct the lights and which way they are facing as well as how to turn them on using the pole thingy. Marcus also showed me how to plug them in to the different sockets with the connections and size sockets.
We also had a go in the control room using the special effects where I learnt a few new things and became more familiar overall with the control desk.
Alot of time was spent in the sound room as well just finding out different sounds that are on there. When Pat took Jason, Marcus and I in there a few days later it was even a better learning experience with Pat showing us how to route better and explained allot things so I understood how things worked better. Pat also explained how to set up for different things like bands which I would not have had any idea how to do before but would now at least know what needs to be done and how to do it.
Pat also explained how to incorporate special effects from the computer onto the TV screen or things such as inserts and how to move them around the screen and such forth which i had no idea how to do before where as now I have some idea and with a little more practice should have a full understanding and how to do it properly.
I have also contac ted the cook from Delicious cafe restraunt and he has agreed to be the cook for the cooking segtment for the show which is really good news.

Week 4 TVP107

This week the class split up into two separate groups and were taught more about lighting by Bruce and sound by Pat. I found these classes to be invaluable as I learnt much more about lighting and most notably the lighting up on the grid in the studio which is really good as I am lighting supervisor one of the weeks for "w!cked". I learnt lots of handy little things like chucking in as many colour lights is never a problem and good for filling in space and also having colour lighting as back lights is another handy hint I learnt from the class. Also other little things like girls needing softer lighting and actually being shown this was good and handy to know for "w!cked" and for the future.
The sound "lecture" was also very helpful in explaining different things about patching, and also the control desk which I am still not that familiar with but after that lesson I at least knew routing a little clearer and how to put sound out to the floor as well as how to use the computer instead of the control desk which seems allot simpler.
On the road to "w!cked" I have been in contact with the Marter Dei primary school to sing a Christmas song to finish my Christmas show and although they haven't confirmed anything they did seem to be very interested which is very good after the Universities choir fell through. I still have not contacted the Chef's I'm after but have the phone number of one of them which is at least a start. I have also been to meetings at Camillas discussing ideas for w!cked and script ideas.
I am planning on booking the studio out during the holidays to get myself more accustomed to the studio and better at everything really. In particular I am going to try and work with the lighting to help with my role as lighting supervisor in "w!cked".

Week 3 TVP107

My roles for the new drill segments were boom operator and stage hand. This was my first time operating the boom and found it to be enjoyable and I think I got the hang of it rather quickly. I found standing instead of sitting on the ergonomic chair far more comfortable for I felt allot safer and also felt I had more control. I think I performed the task well by being able to keep the mic out of shot and out of the way as well as pointing it in the right direction and and keeping it at a good distance from the talent. The booms shadow never got into shot either which was handled by keeping the extension arm at the right angles and elevating the boom to the highest point. The whole group seemed to work really well together during the run through when I was Boom Operator with the camera operators and stage hands maneuvering round the floor from the different shots with no hassles whilst getting the required shots. the talent was also very good with Marcus and Lauren putting on quite a cooking show.
I have been Stagehand many times before and even by myself so am fully aware of what is required even though there was allot more quick maneuvering during these drills. My fellow Stagehand Rod and myself due to the way the cameras were positioned were given a difficult task with the different maneuvers of the cameras and due to quick hands and feet and even crawling on the ground I think we did quite well. There was one point where we had to stop because cameras couldn't get around each other due to them being blocked in but there was nothing that either of us could do as it was the positioning of the cameras and the tasks they were designated. After this was sorted out by the Director and camera operators everything went according to plan even though I think some shots the Director was calling were not getting done by the camera operators. Overall a much much better and focused group performance to the last one.
On the road to "w!cked" I have been running around trying to find a guest chef for my midnight snack segment which will be a healthy snack for kids to leave out for Santa. I have 3 possibles that I know of that would be good for the show and they are Mic an English Chef who works at the Cafe Delish and I know him from the pub and he is very charismatic which would be good for the show, my 2nd choice is a girl named Bianca who has won apprentice chef of the year 2 years in a row and another really good chef who I have in mind is Bec who works at the Astor and also would be fantastic to get on the show. I'm yet to get in contact with them but shouldn't be long and they all would be valuable assets to my show.
Pete my director and I have also been having various meetings about different ideas for the show and what we can do to make it special. Pete has also been discussing with me about how to set up sound for the choir and even though we have different ideas about how to do it I appreciate his advice and knowledge but have decided that in the end I'm going to let Jake who is the sound supervisor for my show to have the final say on how he wants the choir sound to be done.