Studio General Services

In addition to the sound, vision, and lighting facilities equipment, the studio needs to have various features to facilitate efficient production.

Access

Ideally the studio should be at ground level, to allow easy access for scenery, props and technical equipment, which may range from grand pianos and motor vehicles to animals of various sizes. The main access should have no ramp or steps, i.e. smooth access.

Studio doors should be large, thick and heavy to provide easy access and to prevent loss of sound insulation. Smaller lightweight sound-trap doors are usually provided, in addition to the larger heavy doors, for ease of use by actors and studio staff (see page 23).

Power and lighting

The power requirements of production lighting in the studio are covered on page 91. In addition, the studio needs standard mains supplies to power studio equipment such as monitors, microphone amplifiers and any electrical equipment used in a particular production. A 13 amp ring-main supply is needed with outlets spaced around the studio walls (at 4 m intervals, say). If it is anticipated that productions will include higher power equipment for demonstrations (e.g. machinery, cookers) then suitable power outlets (30 amp, or even 3-phase supplies) should be provided.

Cable ducts or runways leading supplies into the studio can inadvertently provide a path for external, structure-borne sounds. A 1–2 cm gap in the cable duct provides a cure, but a flexible earth link must be connected across the gap to ensure earth continuity.

Most studios need a supply of gas, hot and cold water, and a drainage system for such applications as cookery, chemistry experiments etc, and staging effects (pools, water displays, domestic situations).

A compressed air feed to the studio is also very useful.

The TV studio must be effectively lit when the production lighting is not in use, to facilitate such studio activities as erecting scenery, preparing equipment etc. These house lights should be able to be switched, both in the studio and at the lighting console.

An emergency lighting system is also essential, and usually includes illuminated exit signs which automatically change over to battery supplies if there is a mains failure.

Studio markings and floor plans

To assist the accurate positioning of scenery, the studio walls should be marked boldly at regular intervals (half-metre or footage marks are typical). The floor can be marked similarly with very light scoring marks to produce a reference grid. For accurate production planning, scale studio floor-plans (staging plans) are essential (page 171).

Studio floor and wall markings

The studio walls are clearly marked at ½-metre (or 1 ft) intervals, to facilitate exact positioning of staging and equipment—to conform with the production staging plan. The floor may be lightly scored at ½-metre intervals.

Studio distribution box

Individually identified metal-clad boxes are located at intervals along the studio walls. These contain a series of outlets and supplies for equipment.

1. Distribution box identification.

2. Talkback, switched talkback, audio tie lines.

3. Monitor video feeds, video tie lines.

4. Camera cable plug points.

5. Multi-way microphone connections.

6. ‘Tie bar’ for cables.

7. Mains sockets (technical mains).