As Live Unit: Post-Production

The final video will be live today. Dan & Jo had a few days to edit all the footage together, using the script and running order and a list of which takes to use. Without it looking too "polished", they were able to add audience sounds, graphics in/out the VT's and audience shots to piece the footage together. Transitions in and out of the VT's was probably the most challenging part. I created an aston template with transitions and gave Jo a list of astons to add. They also added the end credits.

Overall, there are a few minor sound issues and visual. But as a whole product, hopefully it all came together and we stayed to the 30-minute time frame. I'm happy with the look of the programme and it fitted with the style I had set out. I though the script Dean and I wrote worked well, with Adam adding his own interpretations. I thought the set looked good on camera, with the lighting design Lauren had set, especially the acoustic stage with the bottle lights and the orange glow. I thought the bands interviewed well to make for some interesting content, although, in a way I don't feel as though we learned enough from them. 

As Live Unit: Production

All the hard work and preparation has almost come to an end. We've had the set put in, lights and sound set up, we've rehearsed and recorded and taken everything down again, all in the space of 3 days. 

I would have liked to have put some photos up but I had no time to take any! The set arrived on Tuesday and took up most of the day to put up everything just in time. It looked as I expected it to and had all the elements I asked for. We also had a couple of lighting technicians on hand to create the right mood of the show, each day I was communicating with them if there were any issues, and addressing them and making some creative decisions. I also make sure they have the opportunity to adjust what they need to, so therefore I made sure they're aware of what we're doing and what the plan is. From time to time I check with sound department to make sure they're happy, they have what they need and help make decisions if there are any problems; such as the 'buzzing' from Alex's bass in Standing On Giants.

We had a member of the CATF team in for all 3 days, with some on call, and 4 members on the last day. Just in case there were any problems. After rehearsal day it was decided that the curtains needed adjustments, therefore I rang the set crew ahead, so they were prepared the next day and had the tools they needed. They worked really well to address this, instead of pulling the curtains, which was the issue, I helped advise them that they should be narrower, which seemed to look more in keeping with the set. If necessary, I would assign runners to help carry out tasks. 

Another thing I was doing was preparing the schedule with Abbi. We managed to keep up to time and have time spare, especially during the record. Abbi helped send out call sheets and I made sure all the bands and Adam were contacted via email and on the phone to make sure they know their call time. In the gallery, Abbi and I were making sure we met the timings on the running order, we would communicate to Adam via Maddie on the content and delivering links in time. I had prepared cue cards for Adam to use if he needed extra talking points. 

When bands arrived, we had runners to meet them, and show them around and to their dressing rooms. I made sure I talked to them, to brief them on what to expect and let them know what we're doing and introduce them to Rory, our sound technician. They were all briefed on what not to wear, ie. stripes or harsh red colours. With Adam, Dean created a mood board as a basis for Adam to get an idea of the look we wanted. 

As floor manager, I asked Maddie to fill out the health and safety forms beforehand, which we could distribute to the crew, and making sure we had signed consent forms from each band member and Adam. There were always more tasks needed doing throughout the day that she helped with. 

Overall I was making sure the day ran smoothly, making sure everyone was happy. I was happy with everyone's hard work and enthusiasm for the show and I hope we're all impressed by what we've all achieved. We'll just see how the editing goes! I know there may be some minor issues with content. It's important for me now to see how well the VT's come into the show, I managed to show Adam the VT's with the bands so he knew what to talk about and what not to repeat. I plan on going through the takes and sorting out the best ones for the editing team to start building it together.

As Live Unit: Project Update

Another update on the production, from a producer prospective.

We had another workshop with Hans in the studio yesterday with another band organised by Hennie and Dean, I believe. Although they arrived late and delayed us, they were very collaborative and patient throughout the day. Lauren and I picked up a couple of dolly wheels for the tripods to stand on so the cameras can move easier, which could potentially make for some nice moving shots.

Last week we had a production meeting with Hans, where we paid some attention to the running order. In the meeting I had with him we decided to add an extra song for The Charlie Rivers Band, as originally they were going to have an interview section but instead, as they don't have a VT, and as it's a music show, to have them play another song. I've also added a break, for when to show will be uploaded to YouTube. Now that we have the song files, I could add in the timings for each song, and work out how long each part of the script will take for Adam to read. Dean and I reworked the introduction yesterday so it's shorter. I'll make sure all the songs are available to listen to. 

As sound assistant, I have asked Jo to get information from the bands on what they will be bringing equipment-wise and to make sure the kit share between the two bands on the main stage is sorted. She will pass this information onto Rory. Another task is to try and source better headphones for camera ops.

Hans has also added another task onto Abbi as PA, which I was unaware of before, to draw up call sheets for this Thursday and to sort out paperwork for next week too. The only bits missing from the call sheet is the list of 1st years chosen by Lauren and Maddie and their contacts to be added. She also needs to work with us on a detailed schedule of what we will be shooting when, and adding call times for people to arrive and what jobs they will need to be doing, when things should be set up by, to make sure the day is running to schedule. 

All filming for VT's is completed. There are a few voice-overs bits needed by Jess. I went along to the 'Gig Guide' shoot on Thursday at Earls, and the 'Day In The Life' shoot with Standing On Giants on Sunday at their rehearsal space. I hope these shoots went as they expected and they got what they needed to edit. 

Zee shot the title sequence yesterday, working with the band. He's started editing to the theme tune, creating a rough cut and adding the effects. He has a lot of ideas and is able to execute them well, and it fits in with the style of the show.

This Thursday we are in the studio again, running through the whole show with Adam and stand-ins. Which gives Dean and I the chance to see how the script works and if there's any adjustments to be made and how the timings work.