VIDEOGRAPHER: PRODUCTION TEAM JOB DESCRIPTION
Years From Now Students Will Still Have the Show's Video/DVD as a Memory
by Tom McLaughlin
September 18, 2005
The videographer is responsible for planning the shots and taping the production. The videographer is responsible for setting up a chart of closeups, pans, wide-shots to be used during the taping of the production. The videographer will also distribute an order form for all production team members, actors and parents/guardians of those involved in the production. The videographer will collect these and work with the school treasurer to make sure that the videos are distributed to members of the company who ordered them. Other duties include the following:
Before Rehearsals Begin
Begun Done
� ____ ____Read the play.
� ____ ____Cut the play script like a director's script for you personal notations--entrances, exits, stage focus, etc.
� ____ ____Meet with the director and stage manager to determine which dates you will need to videotape the show for critique purposes.
� ____ ____Together with the technical director, make a list of everything your crew need to do. Make a production time line establishing deadline dates.
During The First Weeks Of The Rehearsal Period
� ____ ____Organize a video crew.
� ____ ____Together with your crew, play any tech videos which are part of the theatre department or in your school, district or local libraries.
� ____ ____Play the video cassette on the VCR you will be using for play-back purposes. Set the counter on 000. List the beginning and ending and ending of each segment and label the segment. Counter differ on various machines so use the same one daily.
� ____ ____Give the list of segments and numbers to the stage manager. With the stage manager and/or director notify the crew heads of any information they may find valuable for their part of the play production process.
� ____ ____Devise a form which crew heads may use to request viewing a portion of the instructional tapes.
� ____ ____When you receive a request from a crew head, set up the VCR and monitor and pre-set the tape to the segment that particular crew needs to view. Notify the crew when the tape is set. After they have viewed the segment, return all video equipment to its proper place.
During The Mid-Rehearsal Period
� ____ ____Sit in on rehearsals and become familiar with the play. Note entrances, exits, when you can shoot close up shots, medium shots, or wide shots to include the entire cast. The stage manager can give you set design sheet for your notations.
� ____ ____Make a list of the job responsibilities for your crew.
� ____ ____Become totally familiar with your camera. Shoot some practice sessions for yourself and critique your own camera techniques.
� ____ ____Meet with the stage manager and/or director. Shoot some practice sessions for yourself and critique your own camera techniques.
� ____ ____Return all equipment after rehearsal.
� ____ ____Compliment and thank your crew.
During Technical Week
� ____ ____Prepare your storyboard sheets (sheets with camera shot notations).
� ____ ____Together with your crew, set up all equipment before rehearsal begins.
� ____ ____After rehearsal, set the monitor in a place where the tape can be viewed by the cast. Sometimes the dressing room or the make-up room is the best place for viewing and cast critique.
� ____ ____When the critique session is over, return the equipment.
� ____ ____Compliment and thank your crew.
During The Run Of The Show
� ____ ____Before closing night write a letter to the person who will have your position for the next show. Give that person advice base on your experience. File the letter in your 3-ring binder behind your job description.
During Strike
� ____ ____Return all instructional videotapes and all equipment to the director or the library.
� ____ ____Compliment and thank your crew.
� ____ ____Check out with the stage manager.
