[...]... measure the audio level as it is being recorded using a VU meter, a peakto-peak meter, or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) Each of these gives you a comparable indication of the level of the audio When the level is too high, the meters read above the 0 dB indicator, and with LEDs, the changing color of the flashing diodes indicates the audio level When the level is too low, the meter needle barely moves,... the frequency response Although most video recorders do not have equalization controls, some audio mixers and microphones do Amplitude Amplitude is the energy level of the audio signal You perceive amplitude as loudness Relative amplitude is referred to as level and is measured in decibels, abbreviated as dB Deci- is one-tenth on the metric scale, and the bel is the measure of audio amplitude created... using the system have developed The two most common are the original linear, straight-through system and the more flexible system used in news operations, the open system This page intentionally left blank 8 Single- Camera Video Production Difference between Studio and Field Production One of the first choices you will need to make once you have developed, researched, and found funding for your project... peak meters, or LEDs VU meters (top) indicate average voltage, LED (bottom) and peak meters indicate peak voltage Each one indicates potential under- and overmodulation levels as well as acceptable levels (Courtesy Logitech,) Chapter Two | The Technology 19 Dynamics refers to the difference between the loudest and the quietest passage you can perceive Most analog equipment is limited to a range of approximately... three-stage process: preproduction, production, and postproduction The three stages are unique and separate to a point, but they are dependent on each other for the success of the complete project, and all are also dependent on the final plans for distribution of the project The three steps are equally important—without all three you will not be able to complete a professional production (see Figure... Alexander Graham Bell Because the bel is a very large unit of measure, dB is more commonly used The decibel may seem to be confusing unit of measurement because it is a reference measurement of the change of the power of the signal It is not an absolute measurement and is logarithmic, not linear; it can be expressed in either volts or watts A change of at least 3 dB is necessary in order for your ear... 12 Single- Camera Video Production Chapter Two The Technology Connecting the Real World to the Digital World To utilize video cameras and associated audio equipment effectively, you must be aware of the capabilities and limitations of each piece of equipment In addition, you must know how each piece of equipment operates in relation to other equipment used in the same production This awareness does... your ear to perceive a change in level Volume is the term used when referring to the measurable energy that translates into loudness and may be measured in either volume units (VUs) or dBs You are sensitive to a change in volume, but your hearing is not linear At some frequencies and at some volume levels, your ear senses a change but the actual measure of change is not registered accurately within your... metric equivalent of 1,000) (see Figure 2.2) A cycle is the time or distance between peaks of a single sound vibration A single continuous frequency is called a tone and is often used for testing Humans perceive frequency as pitch, the highness and lowness of tones Timbre is a musical term often used in media production; it refers to the special feeling a sound may have as a result of its source For example,... Drafting Rehearsal Rough Cast Camera Final Effects Color Correction Audio Correction Rendering Hiring Crew Cast Equipment Recording Logging Effects Striking Master Release Output FIG 1.1 – Depending on the requirements of the individual production, the size of the crew, and the length of the production, some of the functions and operations of each of the three steps may be combined or completed simultaneously . before add- ing sound, effects, and completing your final project. Single- Camera Video Production2 SINGLE- CAMERA VIDEO PRODUCTION THREE-STEP PRODUCTION PROCESS PREPRODUCTION PRODUCTION POSTPRODUCTION Concept Research Planning Organizing Crew Cast Equipment Acquisition Organizing Constructing Sets Props Communication Prompting Ingesting Logging Formatting Draft. xi Introduction This text has been written to provide three groups of video enthusiasts with enough information to produce acceptable single- camera video productions: the media produc- tion student, the professional. alt="" Single- Camera Video Production FIFTH EDITION This page intentionally left blank Single- Camera Video Production FIFTH EDITION Robert B. Musburger AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON NEW