In addition you should give commands to the video switcher   last.  This  is  because  the  video  switcher  is normally positioned close to the director and needs less time to respond to a command than camera operators or the floor manager. Give your commands in this order: 1.  Audio  switcher 2.  Talent 3.  Video  switcher TELEVISION  VISUALS LEARNING   OBJECTIVE:   Recognize   the technical   requirements   and   main   types   of television   visuals. As a  television  broadcaster,  you  must  be  able  to think visually in order to make the most of the television medium. In some cases, visuals can tell the entire story by  themselves  and  should  be  an  integral  part  of  a production  instead  of  an  afterthought.  You  may  have heard  the  cliche,  “One  picture  is  worth  a  thousand words.” This is true because effective visuals will help you  tell  the  story  with  more  clarity.  A  viewer’s imagination   can   actually   provide   the   “soundtrack,” sometimes enhanced by narration (used sparingly) and television    dialogue. The term visuals maybe broken into the following three subgroups: l l l Graphics  (maps,  charts,  diagrams,  illustrations, printed  IDs,  outlines  and  summaries  and  CG information) Photographic techniques (still photographs) Television   backdrops,   props,   scenery   and subject/talent visual information not included in the first two categories TECHNICAL  REQUIREMENTS Before you plan or use any type of television visual, you  must  be  aware  of  the  technical  limitations  and guidelines involved Even if you do not actually design or prepare the visuals, you must be able to guide your artist and understand the limitations of visuals. It is important for you to understand how visuals must  be  tailored  for  television  before  producing  or selecting   them.   For   example,   a   novice   television broadcaster may see a random visual he likes and try to use it immediately, while a seasoned veteran will base his decision on more scientific guidelines and will not rely on first impressions. Any  producer  of  television  programs  learns  quickly that   he   needs   a   “working   knowledge”   of   many contributory  fields.  One  of  these  is  graphic  arts.  All television  shows  use  graphic  materials  —  title  cards, photographs,  illustrations,  charts  and  maps  —  just  to name a few. Graphic materials greatly enhance news and feature productions, spot announcements and virtually all types of television programs. Keep in mind that, in television it is important for you to present information visually  as  often  as  possible  since  people  remember visual  information  longer  than  the  spoken  word. Without  visuals,  you  lose  the  force  of  this  powerful medium. Whether  written,  pictorial,  diagrammatic  or  sheer design, visuals have a place in almost every television production.  In  preparing  visuals  for  television,  you should pay close attention to the aspect ratio, scanning area,  essential  area,  border  area  and  the  size  of  the visuals. Aspect Ratio The  aspect  ratio  of  any  television  screen,  regardless of  its  physical  size,  is  3:4.  This  means  the  television screen  is  divided  into  three  units  high  and  four  units wide. The visual elements should be kept in a format size  that  will  complement  either  6:8  or  9:12.  These aspect ratios will help you keep the materials and objects within the 3:4 aspect ratio format shown in figure 14-13. A television visual prepared within this aspect ratio will be   seen   in   its   entirety   on   the   television   screen. Conversely, think about what would happen if you were to shoot a vertical photograph without the proper aspect ratio. The photograph would lose a major portion of its Figure  14-13.—Television  aspect  ratio. 14-14