THE TELEVISION SET

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the components of a basic television news set.

All television sets must be designed for the television camera Everything about the set - size, color, location and props - must be adapted specifically to what the camera sees. A set can be as simple as hung drapes or as complex as a full-scale replica of a ship. However, its actual from must fulfill the artistic aim of orienting the viewers to a place, time or mood.

Just how elaborate your set will be is determined by a number of things, such as the space and materials available, and the manpower you have to design and construct the set.

There are many books on the subject of set design and construction. However, in this chapter we are limiting ourselves to simple set designs that are suitable for use aboard ships and small NBS detachments.

Ideally, you should build an all purpose set - one that is easy to handle and adaptable to a variety of production uses. One set you should consider consists of three 3- by 6- or 4- by 8-foot plywood panels, each 1/4 inch thick. Around the back edges are nailed or screwed 2-by 2-inch furring strips (structural supports) to give it stability (fig. 14-31).

The panels should be hinged together with a type of hardware that allows them to be separated from each other. Paint the panels flat light blue or green, which will make the skin tones look more natural on color television To reduce glare and reflections from studio lights, you should use flat latex paint.

Before painting the panels, you should check your color choices. Paint small squares of wood and compare them on camera. There must be a distinct difference between set tone and skin tone in order to provide adequate contrast without being excessive. Make sure you select a color that provides suitable contrast when used with either dark or light skin.

SET ERECTION

When you erect a set, you should consider the following three production areas:

l Camera and microphone boom movement.

The camera support and microphone boom must be allowed space on the set in which to move. This is especially important for camera angle or position changes and for recording quality sound.

l Talent movement. The talent must have free access if he moves around the set.

l Lighting. The set must provide sufficient lighting for the camera(s).

CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT

A set is used to create the environment or mood of the scene and must be appropriate to the purpose of the program. Sets are generally divided into the following three categories: . Natural l Realistic l Fantasy

Natural

A natural set does not represent any specific locale or period and could be, for example, a plain gray background. This type of set can be used for a training program, because there are no background distractions.

Realistic

Realism can be achieved in three ways. An exact copy of a period or original scene would be a replica, while a setting portraying a type of scene, such as an early sailing ship, is atmospheric. The suggestion of an

office by the use of a desk and chair, or the shadow of a branch to suggest a tree, is symbolic.

Fantasy

The use of abstract shapes or textures can create character and mood Unrealistic settings have no direct relationship to the real world, but suggest to the viewer a feeling or sense of the location or time.