Vision Mixing and Directing

Vision Mixing and Directing

Dates: 6 x Thursdays: 6th November to 11th December 2008

Course objectives:

An intensive practical experience of directing and vision mixing in a studio environment, together with the essential underpinning knowledge of current technology and production techniques, the language of direction, picture syntax and lens characteristics. With both scripted and un-scripted production, there will be a concentration on acquiring correct gallery communication skills, the effective management of time related tasks, being driven by the priority of production values. Throughout the course, participants will also operate/shadow in other studio roles, such as cameras, FMs and sound mixers in order to have an overview of the whole experience.


DAY 1, To examine the framework within which a director works and to employ the necessary understanding of the “director’s palate”


DAY 2, To provide a practical understanding of the operational facilities on a vision mixer and to experience working confidently in operational situations


DAY 3, A thorough understanding of the VM role within a production and practically covering a 1+2 interview


DAY 4, To prepare, rehearse, direct and vision mix a 15 min live scripted news production


DAY 5, To prepare, rehearse, direct and vision mix a 10 min live un-scripted “shopping” sell within a channel framework


To revise and review both studio record days, allowing evaluation and appraisals as a group and individually and deal in depth with Q&A. Finishing with “Get a grip” – “how to control nervous tension”.

An intensive practical experience of directing and vision mixing in a studio environment, together with the essential underpinning knowledge of current technology and production techniques, the language of direction, picture syntax and lens characteristics. With both scripted and un-scripted production, there will be a concentration on acquiring correct gallery communication skills, the effective management of time related tasks, being driven by the priority of production values. Throughout the course, participants will also operate/shadow in other studio roles, such as cameras, FMs and sound mixers in order to have an overview of the whole experience.


DAY 1, To examine the framework within which a director works and to employ the necessary understanding of the “director’s palate”


DAY 2, To provide a practical understanding of the operational facilities on a vision mixer and to experience working confidently in operational situations


DAY 3, A thorough understanding of the VM role within a production and practically covering a 1+2 interview


DAY 4, To prepare, rehearse, direct and vision mix a 15 min live scripted news production


DAY 5, To prepare, rehearse, direct and vision mix a 10 min live un-scripted “shopping” sell within a channel framework


DAY 6 To revise and review both studio record days, allowing evaluation and appraisals as a group and individually and deal in depth with Q&A. Finishing with “Get a grip” – “how to control nervous tension”.

TUTOR: Lorna Dean Gibbs

Lorna has 25 years experience as a TV Director, Vision-mixer, Cameraman, Trainer and Technical Manager. She has worked as a "live" Director and VM in studios and OBs across all broadcast genres (music, entertainment, daytime, lifestyle, news, current affairs, business, children’s, sports and long-format programming).