Using studio automation
Jun 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Gayle Galvez
A director compares the Grass Valley Ignite, Ross Video OverDrive and Sony ELC.
Sony’s ELC automation system names events Cues.
Keys on a regular keyboard are used to perform a show with OverDrive. Transitions such as a cut, dissolve, or any transition listed from a drop-down window, can be chosen on the fly. Lower thirds are added and removed by hitting an assigned key on a keyboard. Because transitions are determined at the coding level when using Ignite, you can hit a single button to play each event. There are many options to play an event: You can step on a foot pedal, click a virtual or physical button or hit alt+spacebar. Lower thirds are added by clicking on a virtual button on the virtual switcher or hitting a customized physical button. Transitions are also built into Cues so an event is played by hitting a physical button. When changes are made with ample time to recode, the OverDrive or ELC playlists update as soon as the cursor is off the storyline in the rundown. However, once an event is in preset, the event will not update. With Ignite, you must wait for an indicator button to light, indicating a change. Hitting that same button updates the playlist. Both update situations have their advantages.
A main concern when switching to an automated system is breaking news. But what is breaking news? It's an unexpected added story. All systems can quickly add new events as fast as hitting a button. By design, there are buttons customized specifically for breaking news that can be easily accessed. For any automated system, a master or shell rundown can include precoded elements regularly used during breaking news at the bottom of the rundown in a floated state. These can be moved up and unfloated to the appropriate position. Time might be needed for an animation to cue, but that delay would happen with or without automation.
Many issues or mistakes are blamed on the system that are unwarranted, especially in the beginning months of using the system. Automation systems do work. Adjustments must be made when switching to an automated system, just like adjustments were made when switching from manned to robotic cameras. Not everything done previous to automation will stay the same, and work patterns will need to change by more than just the director. As a director, asking which system is better is like asking which pizza is better. It all depends on your taste.
Gayle Galvez is an automation consultant and television director.
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