Beyond eating, drinking and sleeping, what is the one thing that unites us all as human beings? It’s a tough question but one that we’re willing to offer an answer to; television.
Television, at its very best (let’s not discuss its very worst…), is a uniting force, which is probably why so many people want to be on it, or at least involved with it. TV shows have left an indelible mark on our culture, and it’s fair to say a good chunk of us wouldn’t mind being a part of it – even if it is just appearing in the background of a local news report.
However, the internet has changed the way we watch TV as well as the way TV is produced. Whereas TV was once limited to the hallowed halls of the BBC’s iconic Television Centre, nowadays more or less anyone can set up their own channel on YouTube or even appear on the higher numbers of the Freeview guide.
All of which has led to an increased interest in not just watching TV but creating it too. For that, however, you need a decent TV studio set-up and many start-up television production studios don’t have a clue where to start.
Luckily for them, we at PG Stage have set up a fair few TV studios in our time, in destinations as exotic as Ethiopia, and we’re more than willing to share what we consider to be the very basic requirements of a television studio!
Stage Lighting Rigs
Anyone who’s appeared on a professional television production will have complained about the sweltering heat coming from the studio lights but stage lighting is a vital part of television production; everything from the news to ‘The X Factor’ is dependant on quality lighting.
Unlike a theatre stage, however, television lighting needs to be dynamic in order to accommodate for the varied types of programming recorded on the studio floor. Movable lighting rigs allow for this flexibility and ensure your lighting options aren’t too restricted. You will also need to allow space for the equipment associated with the control of stage lighting.
Microphones and Sound
Sound is vital to any television production and although a great deal of audio is either cleaned up or added in post-production, you’ll still need to install microphones and a public address system to capture the intricacies of the masterful script your screenwriter spent hours sweating over. Again, you won’t need the kind of large stage sound system required by a theatre but ensuring that your studio produces good audio quality is important.
Video Cameras, Pedestals and Tracks
If you’ve ever tried to capture a lovely moment at home with a video camera, you’ll know hard it is to frame a shot and keep it steady with a handheld camera. You can probably imagine how difficult this is with professional television standard cameras, so pedestals to keep the cameras stable are essential.
If you’re going to filming productions for which movement will be used, camera tracks should also be on your shopping list. These tracks make moving shots much easier and more professional and can also act as an easy way to move a camera from one shot to another.
Drapes and Staging
Sets, drapes and staging play an important role in the illusion of television. Sets are usually designed in-house and should be designed according to the specifications and measurements of your particular studios.
Theatre drapes are an excellent way of covering up the illusion-breaking back wall of your studio and acting as a background (this can also be achieved using a cyclorama), while staging can put your performers and presenters at a level suitable for your cameras.
For more advanced productions, you may consider installing chroma key (or ‘green screen’) facilities and an ‘infinity wall’ – a cyclorama curved gently at the bottom which, with the correct lighting, gives the impression that the back wall continues downward forever!
If you’re interested in setting up your own television studio but aren’t quite sure how to, get in touch with PG Stage. We’ll be more than happy to discuss your requirements and move forward with the design and eventual installation of your studio, whether it’s in a private space, a school or elsewhere. Call 0161 830 0303 or email info@pgstage.co.uk.