There are many different opportunities to work in the broadcast field, especially for the people that specialize in a specific task. While it is good to have an understanding of everything, there aren’t as many opportunities for someone who is a “Jack of all Trades, but Master of None.” Therefore, you may want to put your effort towards learning one or two of the positions. Below is a basic list of positions that are required for a live production.
A1 – The person responsible for mixing the audio sources during a show. Also responsible for coordinating the A2s on a show and planning where microphones and intercom drops will be located.
A2 – The person or people responsible for both setting up and trouble shooting any and all audio equipment during a show. Also responsible for striking all audio equipment.
Camera Op – The person who operates the camera.
CG – Stands for Character Generator. The person responsible for making and recalling all graphics that air during a show.
Director – The person who watches all available audio and video sources and selects the best for airing.
E2 – Assistant to the EIC. Typically responsible for the gear outside the truck. Assists in trouble shooting any issues that may arise.
EIC – Stands for Engineer-in-charge. Refers to the head engineer on site. Responsible for all equipment used during a show, and is typically the most experienced trouble shooter available.
Font Assist or Font Coordinator – The person responsible for the content of the CG’s graphics. Feeds stats to the graphics op, and spell checks their work.
Lead Tape Op – The senior replay person responsible for building any packages, roll outs, or other edited clips used during a show. Responsible for replays during the show and coordinating with the “R.O.”
Master Control or Master – The facility directly responsible for putting any show on air. Oftentimes they are also responsible for airing the commercial breaks in a show, as well as recording the event to re-air at a later time.
Producer – The person who is responsible for telling the story or stories during a show. Typically the person coordinating with all tape ops, graphics ops and talent to hit on specific points or story beats. Also responsible for keeping the show timed out properly following the format and coordinating breaks with master control.
RO Tape Op – Stands for Replay Only. The junior replay person is typically responsible for replays or simple tape playback. Does not usually build any packages during a show.
Spotter/Stats – The person responsible for communicating information from the broadcast booth to the graphics team in the truck, such as the position of the ball, who called a time out, who a penalty was on, or any other statistical information not easily available in the truck.
Stage Manager – The person responsible for assisting the producer to get talent in position, give them paperwork during a show, and generally assisting both the producer and the talent.
Talent – Any “on-air” personalities used during a show.
TD – Stands for Technical Director. The person who pushes the buttons on the video switcher during a show. They spend most of their time programming different effects in to the switcher in order to do any of the many complex moves necessary for the show they are working on. Sometimes they also are directing the show, while other times, there is a separate director calling the shots.
TOC or Red Hat – Short for Time-Out-Coordinator. The person who communicates with both the truck and the game officials to hold the game while the show is in commercial break.
Utility – The person or people responsible for assisting any other person on the crew. Could be anyone from a cable puller to a parabolic mic operator. Sometimes referred to as a PA or production assistant.
V1 – The person responsible for hooking up all video feeds to and from the truck. They determine where any point-of-view (or “POV”) cameras will be placed, and where monitors will need to be set up. Also responsible for shading and assisting in back focus for the cameras.
V2 – Assistant to the V1. Responsible for setting up any POV cameras, monitors, and any other auxiliary video equipment in the field.
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.