Floor Director Intro

Floor Director

A crash course on how to be a floor director in a live multi-camera broadcast

What is a Floor Director?

An extension of the Director on the studio floor

The floor director plays a key role in coordinating the various elements of a show and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

Floor Director Overview

• Communicate the TD's instructions to the talent on set and ensuring that they are in the right position and ready for their cues

• Acting as a liaison between the control room and the talent on set, relaying information back and forth and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Why is it important to have a Floor Director in a Live Broadcast?

• Managing the show's flow and keeping everything on time

• ​Handling unexpected situations

• Staying calm under pressure

Organization

• Clear and concise

• Working with a team and talent

Communication

Key Skills Needed

Floor Director Signals

When the show is live, we can't have people talking besides the talent for sound purposes, so Floor Directors use hand signals to communicate silently with the talent.

This signal means "GO!"

​​Cue

This signal means "STOP" immediately.

Cut

​The show is behind, so talk a little bit faster

Speed it up

Wait right where you are!

Standby

The show is ahead, you need to make this section last longer

​​Stretch it out

Time is up, say your last remarks and say goodbye!

​​Wrap it up

Multiple Choice

Which signal is this?

• Cue

• Standby

• Speed Up

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Multiple Choice

Which signal is this?

• Cue

• Standby

• Speed Up

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Multiple Choice

Which signal is this?

• Cue

• Standby

• Speed Up

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Multiple Choice

Which signal is this?

• Cue

• Standby

• Speed Up

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Multiple Choice

Which signal is this?

• Cue

• Standby

• Speed Up

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Cues for each camera

The floor director will also move between cameras according to the director to signal the talent which camera is LIVE and which to look at if they are talking to the audience.

This is an example of a rundown for a live broadcast. The floor director uses this to make sure the show runs smoothly.

The Broadcast RUNDOWN

Multiple Choice

As the Floor Director, which camera will you stand next to at the start of the broadcast?

• Camera 1

• Camera 2

• Camera 3

Multiple Choice

Anchors 1 and 2 have started their "Welcome to Skybound" segment. Where should you move to next to get them ready for their next time on camera?

(HINT: There are two videos being shown before Anchor 1 is on air again)

• Camera 1

• Camera 2

• Camera 3

Multiple Choice

While the Student Interviews video plays, what hand signal should you be using to have your talent wait for their cue?

• Cue

• Stand By

• Stretch it Out

• Cut

Multiple Choice

The Student Interviews video is coming to an end. The director says,

"Ready Camera 2, Anchor 1 in 3...2...1...Take it!"

What hand signal should you use to cue your talent to start reading their script?

• Cue

• Stand By

• Stretch it Out

• Cut

Multiple Choice

The Student Interviews Bumper and Jet Talk Lead In is currently 20 seconds long. What hand signal do you need to give your talent?

• Speed Up

• Stand By

• Stretch it Out

• Wrap Up

Multiple Choice

The Announcements video is about to end. What camera do you need to stand by to signal the talent for their next segment?

• Camera 1

• Camera 2

• Camera 3

Multiple Choice

We are nearing the end of the broadcast - which signal do you give to the anchors to signal that time is running out?

• Wrap it Up

• Stand By

• Stretch it Out

• Cut