Technical Directors Edit Live!

by Lisi Crane

I have seen this license plate around town, and I certainly know what it means. It doesn't mean the driver will do any "touching" or will be making a touch down; the driver is not a massage therapist or a running back. He or she is a technical director, and will "TD" for you...the director, the video production company and yes, even the occasional Bar Mitzvah. TDs are also known as video switchers, vision mixers, button pushers, technical genius's and very often, life savers.

I am a technical director, and a member of IATSE local 776. As a group, TDs don't get much press, especially as this local is mostly made up of film editors. We are happy to be included with such a distinguished, creative crowd...but we need a voice of our own as well. As of now, there are approximately 60 technical directors out of 3,200 active members. When I attend the monthly movie screenings, I look around and recognize NO ONE!

TD Meets DP and VO

I am always asked what a TD does. A technical director works primarily with video (we do audience "film switching" as well), and "cuts" a show electronically, either live or to tape. The switchers we work on can be as simple as a four camera router, or as complicated as a SONY DVS-7000 component digital state-of-the-art, seat of your pants joy ride. TDs work as a team with the director, following his or her commands for camera cuts, effects, graphics and the ever popular....."Standby one, take two". We also use dissolves, wipes, chroma keys (also known as green/blue screen, and Ultimatte) and are able to manipulate the picture with computer-generated effects. Anything the switcher can do, the TD can do. TDs edit on the fly...calmly operating under somewhat less than optimal conditions.

Technical directors are also responsible for the overall technical "look" of the show, along with the director of photography and the video operator. The TD meets with the D.P. and the V.O. to discuss filter options, lens choices and whether or not a certain outfit "rings" too much for the camera. TDs for a larger live broadcast (such as the Academy awards) may also be involved with the engineering set up and detailed cabling. We are also thought of as a technical "crew chief", and act as a liaison between engineering and production. TDs can oversee other members of the crew: utilities, cameras, audio, videotape, video and lighting.

Being a technical director takes skill, patience, imagination, constant learning and training, diplomacy, a good attitude, and the ability to think quickly either on your feet or sitting down. I imagine it's similar to a film editor's job, except we can't undo or redo in a live broadcast situation. Once it's gone, it's gone! Even live-to-tape has its limitations for corrections.

TDs have historically been primarily men, and that continues to be true for the most part in the '90s. More and more women have successfully broken in and are TD-ing sporting events, sitcoms, major talk shows and network news. TDs, both men and women, are transitioning into directors, camera coordinators, editors and producers. We juggle many obligations and responsibilities that makes those transitions natural and advantageous for all.

So, when you see that license plate- hire that person! (It may be me.)