Whether you are a young professional, brand new to the broadcast industry, or a veteran with hundreds of hours of experience, there are standards which we are all held to. Following proper etiquette keeps the clients happy, our crew safe, and our equipment operating to the best of its ability. Below is a list of rules we all should be following whenever we are out working on any shoot. If you follow these rules, you will be successful in this field.

  • If you are at a camera, have the headset on. If you don’t have the headset on, the truck can’t communicate with you, and everyone gets frustrated when we can’t reach the camera position
  • Unless it is an emergency do not talk when the director is talking, wait for an appropriate time to interrupt. Remember, when you are on headset, listening to the directions being given is generally the most important thing happening. Other conversations can wait.
  • Do not leave your camera unless you have gotten permission from the director over coms. If you do have to step away, make sure you get back on ASAP.
  • If you need to cancel on a shoot, find a viable replacement. Also, give as much notice to the crewer as possible. There is nothing worse than a last minute cancellation.
  • Be early or on time, never late. If you must be late, call the person who booked you to let them know. It is also a good idea to call one of the point of contact people on site to make them aware of the situation as well.
  • Check your tally light, even if the director hasn’t told you that you’re live, accidents happen. The tally light doesn’t lie. If it is lit, you are on.
  • Treat every mic, and every camera as if it were live to the world at all times. Don’t say anything or do anything we will all regret if it goes live to the whole world.
  • Immediately report any damaged equipment to the engineer on site. If you find something and don’t say anything, we assume that you broke it and tried to hide it. Even if you did break something, always take responsibility.
  • Work as a team, if someone needs help step in. Likewise if you are not busy and someone else is, ask what you can do to help them out.
  • If you do not know how to do something, ask. Productions are a team effort, and everyone knows that a stronger team makes everyone better.

Equipment Safety

  • A camera never fell off the ground! Do not put cameras on chairs, tables, benches or any other area that the camera could fall from. On the ground is virtually always safest.
  • When a tripod is not in use it needs to be placed flat on the ground. When tripods fall down, they tend to break the chamber in the head that contains the fluid that allows the head to move.
  • Do not leave equipment unattended in public areas. Station the unused equipment and empty cases together in a designated area that is not publicly accessible.
  • Anytime a cable crosses a footpath, make sure it is properly dressed. Either tape it down, use a yellowjacket/walkover, or a carpet to cover it up. If none of those options will work, consider running the cable on an alternate path or flying it over the walkway instead. (Note: Wait until the fax is complete before taping down cables.)
  • Anytime a cable runs either by or through a door, make sure it won’t get caught and damaged by the door’s movement. Either use a sandbag to cushion the door closing on the wires or find a different path
  • When flying cables, make sure they are secure and won’t fall down. Falling cables could kill or seriously injure someone.
  • When possible, use a ratchet strap to secure a camera so that it cannot fall over.
  • Anytime there is a threat of rain or snow, make sure your gear is rain proofed. Cameras should have rain covers secured on them. All cable junction points should be wrapped in plastic. All mics should be secured and covered with plastic tubing where possible.
  • Use common sense, treat equipment better than you would treat your own valuables. Do not leave it in a dangerous situation.

Dress Code

  • Wear clothes without logos. If that isn’t possible, respectable logos only. Do not wear team or school logos of any sort. Also, no controversial logos will be permitted.
  • No open toed shoes. No high heels.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather. Football games in the winter tend to be cold, so dress in layers, bring gloves, a hat, or any other clothing that you will need to stay warm. Be prepared for rain and heat as well.
  • Some shoots will require specific clothing. If something special is required your crewer will make you aware of it.
  • A good rule of thumb would be to wear something presentable that you would not mind damaging.

Credential Rules 

  • Credentials are given to event staff and media for security reasons! Do not abuse the power that comes with it.
  • Do not give away or send pictures of your credential. No social media either.
  • Do not use credentials to get into events that you are NOT working.
  • The Misuse of a credential could possibly get you kicked out of an event or even banned at that event space.
  • When wearing your credential, you are working as a professional. This means no alcohol, no smoking, and no acting a fool.

Final Thoughts

While this list may not be completely exhaustive and list out every single possibility, it is a good and solid starting point. If you can’t remember everything make sure you remember these three points of a successful production.

  1. Keep yourself and others safe.
  2. Keep the gear safe.
  3. Improve the quality of the show.

Written by: Victor Presley

Victor has been working in the broadcast industry since 2005. He has been in the engineering department since 2010, and has been Classic Teleproductions’ Chief Engineer since 2013.