BTS: Master Control

[@beckigreen]

I'm 41 years old and my Dad was the Master Control of our ABC affiliate in Nashville. He was MC there from 1976 to 1987 so I know all about the old days. My dad took me to work with pretty much every Sunday. I remember the TV wall being CRT just as you described. I remember when everything it seemed was on tape. My dad would give me a list of commercials or whatever to pull from what looked like a giant bookshelf that had a sliding ladder attached to it. I also remember playing with slides in the slide drum, I'm guessing there is no slide drum anymore. It was just slides of news anchors or one might have said technical difficulties,etc. I remember splicing film by hand when it broke for the Sunday matinee movie. Also even though the ABC affiliate is in Nashville, the transmitter was in. Brentwood Tn, about 30 minutes from Nashville. My dad would have to spend the night at the transmitter in Brentwood sometimes. My dad has passed away,but he would get a kick out if how computers do so much work for MC now days. Not that an MC doesn't work hard, but comparing the 70s and 80s to the year 2015 is just so much different. Thanks for this video and sorry for my long comment.

[@TVsIsrael]

Thanks for that story about your dad, Becki. I wonder what he'd think of how things have changed, though I wouldn't say we don't work hard in Master. Instead of having many tapes to deal with, we deal with files and server storage. It's not exactly the same, but though the style of work has changed, running multiple channels can make things complicated. In any case, I'm happy that you got to learn those skills from your dad! That's a very unique and special set of memories that I'm sure you'll cherish forever!

[@dawnpatrol82]

Great video! I did MC for a Fox station for 14 years, we had 1", 2",and the ever popular 3/4" tape decks.And all those satellite feeds. Fun times, I loved it!

[@harveirblack1975]

Nice video. From one TV Master Control Engineer to another.

[@sneakypear]

Nice walkthrough. Thanks for sharing!

[@lojack6048]

Thank you for the informative and insightful video. Hopefully soon I will be starting a job as a MCO.I had one years worth of experience working as an Audio Operator on the production side luckily enabling me to have even a remote chance to acquire a position as an MCO and dabble more into the technical side of media production and communications. Being that my knowledge is limited I am trying to conduct research before starting and fortunately people such as yourself help make the learning process less strenuous. Inclusive of that are others leaving comments and questions along with your responses that presents even more information so....Learning as much as I can is one thing but the application process as far as the training is concerned will be another......Thank you for your expertise.

[@iamrob7270]

Love the video Israel! Informative and really give a comprehensive breakdown of MC.

[@TVsIsrael]

+Robert Astacio Thanks so much!

[@nihalchamarasinghe6964]

Please tell me how to set up the system (software hardware required at the MCR) for broadcasting a DVB-T2 channel on UHF with about 16 sub channels (all FHD content) with the provision for futher expansion for more channels.

[@dynamicmediapro7724]

Thanks the video is great, please in your own opinion what training can you recommend for a fresher like me building up my career in TV broadcast. Thanks

[@TVsIsrael]

The best advice I can give you is to take whatever opportunities you come by. They will give you the experience you need and show that you are a dedicated employee. For training, find things you enjoy about broadcast, like editing or writing or shooting video, and practice doing those things or get involved with those who do and learn from them. Lots of KZbin channels, like mine, talk about these subjects. You can do it!

[@ChrisBurns529]

Nicely done. I'm all too familiar with this job. In fact, when I started at the station I work at now, we were still rolling live from tape and switching manually. My last boss said MC was hours of boredom punctuated by moments of panic. I would have to agree with him.

[@detech8149]

had an interview for MC. The manager was showing me the job in real time and explained what was going on so fast. I don't feel comfortable it was overwhelming. He jumped from the basics to talking to me like I was on the job for years. plus the pay is very low.

[@TVsIsrael]

It’s considered an entry level job but the key is it can give you experience and a greater understanding and insight of the broadcast industry. It definitely takes time to become comfortable in it, took me about 6 months, honestly! But I’ve been in over 7 years now and I’ve gotten many opportunities to advance because of it. Don’t give up!

[@davidpolini7042]

What types of job challenges do you face on a day to day basis? whats the best tip you can provide to someone who is about to be interviewed for an operator position?

[@TVsIsrael]

+David Polini Sorry for such a delayed response. I have been really hammered this summer by work and other productions that have kept me from uploading any videos. Job challenges differ from day to day. But the standard fare is essentially multitasking. I may have to record 2 or 3 feeds at once, and roll on news and upload video to the web and shade cameras all at once. Multitasking in Master Control is essential, and if you can keep your head in tough situations, then you can make it!

[@TripleH3]

4:53 Was the “Weather Alert” being printed from EAS equipment I assume?

[@TVsIsrael]

Yes haha I hated that thing

[@TripleH3]

@@TVsIsrael Haha. Must’ve been a TFT EAS 911 then. Printer sure sounded like it.

[@jaisuiscanadien]

Great video, describes our job perfectly. Hi from ABC 13 Vegas MCR.

[@TVsIsrael]

Thanks! I’m glad to see that other MCs are out there!

[@jaisuiscanadien]

Even ones that use Crispin, not Harris !

[@TVsIsrael]

jaisuiscanadien they do exist!

[@SuperMikeBishop]

Thank you Israel for sharing that info with us.

[@markarca6360]

I think the master control is also responsible for channel branding, where you put the channel logo (an image or a watermark, or even an image transforming to a watermark after a few seconds.) Sometimes they also put the program name.

[@TVsIsrael]

+Mark Arca we’re essentially the gatekeepers for what goes on the air. We can put in supers or other forms of branding yes.

[@creweyork1984]

Hi, i have just started a new position as a transmission operator assistant, i work in a control room like yourself. I would like to know if there any books that could help me in partocular, anything that has a good amount of detail on the control room

[@Philgravy]

This video is great. I can send it to people who ask what I do at work. You even have Crispin.

[@TVsIsrael]

+Sean Wilcox Thanks very much! I'm sure it's a little different for you. We wear a lot of additional hats that not every MC does.

[@KillTask]

Thanks for sharing

[@frzen]

How often do you get your displays calibrated? Do you have someone in-house to calibrate weekly/monthly? Do you have gordons or hardings running to check for broadcast spec strobing or out of spec colours? What happens when you get sent in footage that is outside of your spec, i.e. has flashing imagery or has the wrong colour space? Or does any of that happen in the US? Thanks for doing this it's very interesting! Could you ask people from all of the different parts of your station to do their own little video on their job? It would be great if there was one of these videos for every section of a working station!

[@BryanMiner]

When there are things like a live skype interview on a show is that color corrected live or is there a way to do a hard limit were the source can not go beyond a boundary like 100% white value on the waveform?

[@Droneskyman]

what do you know about a tech media producer position?

[@Dylanclemy]

Great video, hope you will make another soon. Just one question how do you transmit form the station to the tower and how far is the tower from the station. Thanks.

[@Dylanclemy]

***** Thanks for the reply.

[@Ccccccccccsssssssssss]

Thanks for the great video!

[@TVsIsrael]

+Chris S Glad you liked it!

[@JoelFan]

Hi Israel, Hopefully your still taking questions on this page/topic. I was wondering if you could share in on what type of college degree(s) and/or previous work exp is needed to be considered for a job in Master Control I'm looking to get into a tech college within the next 1-2 years and would like to know the what courses would be appropriate for this field. Also, I was wondering if your running a VT and need to preempt on the fly could you demonstrate or go into detail on how you would do that and whom is responsible for making good any lost spots (either local or national) due to said preemption's? Thanks!

[@JoelFan]

***** Israel Thanks for the reply, I was wondering if you are able to if you could post a short video with a TRT of 1-2 mins just demonstrating what you normally do. Since I know that during a newscast things may get hectic perhaps a video showing you running a show or pulling in a feed during a slower part of your shift. Also I'm not sure if your station uses it but could you please share some info on Harris Automation and Pathfire which to my understanding is used for syndication pkgs. Finally, would one have to join a union (such as NAB) in order to work as a MCO and typically what are some of the unions that you have seen? As always thanks!

[@IAmJaydeseKing]

***** could you a video in what switcher you use to broadcast the she show and what graphics software you use in the show and how it works? thank you

[@TVsIsrael]

I'll try to answer these questions if I can get some time tonight. Things have been busy, but I'll have an opportunity tonight. I'll try to get to both of yours in an upcoming video!

[@JoelFan]

***** Hi Israel, I was wondering if you had any opportunity in shooting a new video showing you running a show and/or pulling in a feed and maybe give a description of the equipment that you may use (Harris automation, Pathfire, Grass Valley K2 video servers etc), Also if there are any unions that one may need to join if he or she gets a job within Master Control. Thanks for your time!

[@youzuko]

hi, is MC can be learn while on the job or they provide training for inexperienced? because I have no experience on this, since my study is solely focusing on radio and wireless. I just applied on jobstreet, since they are looking for fresh graduate with telecomm/electrical Bach. degree. I am ready to learn something new. Can you please tell me what are the critical parts and knowledge someone should know about master control. I hope I could get the interview for this job.

[@jonasmcmillan]

youzuko yes you can definitely learn on the job

[@phantomseller]

I would show it all in action while you are calling out the commands, ect.

[@GregBurch]

From one MCO to another: cheers!

[@rickie8018]

Cheers!!!

[@GregBurch]

@@rickie8018 Man. Been forever since I posted that.

[@TVsIsrael]

How things have changed in just a few years!

[@gute725]

loved it...had to share it on my FB page people always ask so what do you do again LOL...we use ITX

[@beckigreen]

Even though there is a lot of computers in MC rooms now, I know you guys still work hard. I put that in my original comment,but I don't know why it didn't show up. Have a good new year!

[@RyanHickok]

Really cool look behind the scenes. What program do you do your scheduling and automation with. I work at a public access station in Minnesota and we use Tightrope Media Systems Cablecast. I know you are a lot bigger than us as we only have about 18 feeds originating from our MC. Thanks for sharing!

[@Rob_Kates]

***** Crispin Rapid Play X 2000 is decent automation. That's what we have where I work. I've also worked with Odetics and DTG/VCI. I recall the old Odetics TCS-2000 back in the 1990s that had 5 Betacam SP decks and the robotics that would read bar codes, retrieve tapes and load them into machines.

[@blueterrain55]

Hey Israel, I intern at my local TV studio as a PA and cam op. Just wondering, do you control any censoring or does your feed get censored by the FCC? Thanks!

[@blueterrain55]

***** Our channel is funded through comcast, we run our three channels to them, as well as broadcast them to locals. Its mostly pre-recorded material like sports games, public concerts, meetings that are shot and recorded live to tape, then showed later that day, or sometimes we shoot live.