I need a help with a TV STUDIO scene.
I have people break in, tie and gag the crew that works there. Then they press some buttons on what I called it "operating block" to make it look like there's fire in the studio - they want it on National TV. It's a bluff, there's no fire and they make it look like it.
There was something similar in Hairspray, but there's no script online for me to look it up.

So much questions are:
Maybe you know a similar movie - just point to it, and I'll try to find it online.

And if not:
what do you call that thing with buttons that controls the stuff we see on TV?
"control something"? I called it "operating block". It sounds funny though.

Kham, do you mean a Vision Mixer?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_mixer

There's also Quiz Show, listed on this very site at http://www.simplyscripts.com/q.html

Scenes in the studio start at the end of page four.

There's also a fine film which isn't so well known by Gorgeous Dreamy George called Good Night And Good Luck at http://www.simplyscripts.com/g.html

Good luck with it. Let us know how you get on.

R

I work in television at the local level. Not a major network affiliate or anything, but a local independent station. We often shoot local events.  I've never directed a program, but I have sat right next to the director many times. The control console he operates is called a switcher. That's the one with the fader bar and all the lit buttons on it. I believe that's the one you're looking for. I mean, there are other names it's known by, but switcher is by far the most common name I've heard for it.

Another person operates the sound mixer. I usually operate the graphics and cue commercials on a separate computer (separate but tied into the same system).  So there's usually a minimum of three people in a control booth.

Hope this helps.

Oh, wow, that's a lot of help, guys!! Big thanks.

And I was hesitant to ask the stupid question.. so glad I did.

I'll read the Quiz Show, ren and will look through the other movie. I need to look up the similar scenes as well even if I get the terminology right. And looks like I will get the terminology right!

khamanna,

Glad to be of help. Are there stupid questions? I'd like to think not.

Sometimes there are definitely stupid answers. But I prefer mine silly.

Both those films were rather good. And from what I remember there's plenty of behind the scenes stuff in GN&GL. Hope they are of use to you. I'd also look at some films closer to the present day, depending of course when your own is set.

R

Never read the script, but probably there's a reference to the control desk you speak of in 'The Truman Show'?