ABSTRACT
In the pre-war Television Service, the maximum effort was put into the production of drama programs, and it is fair to say that here were evolved the techniques which were later copied by producers of other types of programs. Producing for television is a difficult and complex operation. Nine-tenths of what is seen on the screen in a play is in “live” action. Editing and second thoughts are not possible. The position of the cameras and the sound-boom carrying the microphone must be planned in advance, moments to change shot by cutting or dissolving from camera to camera arranged, effects considered and ordered, back-projection slides photographed and all the multitude of aids to production chosen. Cutting from camera to camera is carried out by the vision-mixer sitting beside the producer. Filmed sequences, shot in advance of the live transmission and cut in at the right time during the course of the play, add further complications.
