Basic Production Styles

Although TV programs cover a broad spectrum of entertainment, three radical approaches to production techniques are widely used.

The ‘stylized routine’ approach

This approach works within a systematic framework. However, many a working format eventually degenerates into a stylized routine that is applied whatever the program subject. Let’s look at a typical example:

The show fades up on opening credits.

CUT to a wide shot of the scene, discovering Person ‘A’.

CUT to a mid shot of ‘A’: Who proclaims ‘Hello and good evening I’ and introduces Person ‘B’…

CUT to mid shot of ‘B’ entering … pulling out to a two-shot as ‘B’ meets yp with ‘A’.

CUT to close up of ‘A’ …

We could continue with this kind of shot breakdown ad nauseam … and yet, notice that we’ve said nothing about the nature of the production itself! It could be a games show, an interview, a musical recital. The presentation follows a prescribed routine, intercutting wider shots where two or more people are speaking together, with closeups when individuals are making points, or reacting to events. An ‘all-purpose’ stylized routine!

The ‘exploratory’ approach

Here picture and sound are used as powerful creative tools; to continually guide the attention, build interest, persuade, intrigue. They stimulate the audience’s imagination and influence their emotions. Rather than sitting back passively watching, the audience has an active attitude.

In a drama, we create tension, anxiety and excitement by the way we present the action. A door opens slowly, and a shaft of light begins to spread across the floor of the darkened room. The intruder … or just the family pet?

In a documentary, we may encourage our audience to judge the information being presented; to question, debate, compare. We leave them reflecting on the situations they have seen portrayed in the program.

The ‘pizazz’ approach

Here emphasis is on display; on a rapidly changing succession of images to produce a kaleidoscopic impression. This is the technique used in many video promos. It is associated with energy, vitality, vigor, flair, smartness. It relies on the shock effect of intercutting brief disjointed fragments. The subject appears in a variety of locations. Frames are repeated, stuttering, pixilating, reversed. Slow and fast motion sequences are intercut. Shooting angles change. Backgrounds behind the subject alter rapidly, and are often abstract. Brief clips of material from other sources (e.g. newsreels) are intercut, but have only a tenuous connection with the lyrics. Several pictures of various shapes are simultaneously presented in the frame (notwithstanding squashing or stretching). Images with color changes are superimposed, wiped, intermixed, fragmented and manipulated.

At best, the result can be an exciting outpouring of images, which barely grasp the attention; for there is little time to do more than glance at each, before another takes its place. At worst, it is a pretentious hotch-potch of irrelevant fragments.

The ‘exploratory’ approach

The camera moves aroynd the subject to see it from the talent’s viewpoint.

The continually moving camera adds a dynamic element to the action, increasing interest.