Television
The Technical Director (often abbreviated TD) works in a production control room of a television studio and operates the video switcher and associated devices as well as serving as the chief of the television crew. For a remote broadcast outside of the studio, the TD will perform the same duties in a mobile production truck. It is the TD's job to ensure all positions are manned and all equipment and facilities are checked out and ready before the recording session or live broadcast begins. They typically will switch video sources, perform live digital effects and transitions, and insert pre-recorded material, graphics and titles as instructed by the Director. In all but the smallest productions, the Director does not actually operate the production equipment, allowing him/her to coordinate the production and make rapid decisions without worrying about how to mechanically execute the effect or camera move being called for. The Technical Director may provide training to more inexperienced members of the technical crew when needed. In consultation with the Director, the TD may have more or less input into the creative side of the production, depending on the situation. He/she may provide the Director with guidance on crew assignments, camera shots and the most efficient way to accomplish any given effect. The TD is usually responsible for the technical quality of the signal being recorded or broadcast and will use various measuring devices and displays to ensure quality control.
Technical Directors commonly work on productions that are either broadcast live or recorded on video tape or video servers. Television productions shot on film generally do not use TDs, as the camera cuts and effects are realized in post production after the shooting is completed.
The terminology in the UK differs in some respects from the above description: The production control room is called a "gallery", a mobile production truck is called an "OB Van" or a "Scanner" (a BBC term). In UK television practice, the Technical Director is the senior technical person in the gallery and supervises the technical team, but does not operate the "vision mixer". The TD is responsible for ensuring that the gallery is technically fit for purpose, the routing of internal and external sources, as well as liasion with other technical areas such as Master Control Rooms and transmission suites. They may additionally perform Vision Control duties, matching the exposure and colour balance of the cameras ("Racking").
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