ABSTRACT
In addition to talent, graphics and sets are two major pictorial elements in television production. Graphics include lettering and artwork, normally displayed on screen to supplement the images captured on camera. Sets include both physical elements on a stage and virtual set 3 generated in a computer. This chapter examines the functions of graphics and sets, as well as the aesthetic considerations and techniques involved in creating them. A major reason for using graphics and sets is to convey a wide range of information to the viewers without disrupting the overall flow of a program. For many years, most TV graphics consisted of title cards made by applying rub-on or stick-on letters to sheets of cardboard that were then placed in front of the camera. In the past, the functions of character generation and graphics generation were performed by separate pieces of equipment. More sophisticated graphics, such as pictures, maps, and diagrams, can be created and combined with text elements.
