The Role of Comms in Zoned Media Production IP-Based Communications Systems for Film and TV Production Mihai Malaimare Jr, Cinematographer

Brent Marchenski, Technical Producer

The Role of Comms in Zoned Media Production IP-based Communications Systems for Film and TV Production Mihai Malaimare jr, Cinematographer

Keeping the Creative Vision in Focus, At a Safe Distance With COVID-19, media production teams are having to rethink how they interact on set and amongst team members. While full-duplex comms systems were once used primarily by the camera operators and DP, with the new norms of socially distanced and zoned media production, more people are working remotely or at a greater distance than ever before. In this situation, a flexible, IP-based full duplex (talk and listen at the same time) intercom system can be a mission- critical tool in keeping the team members communicating to the right people, at the right time, while maintaining social distance. Clear-Com’s hands free systems are designed to be easy to use, lightweight and portable, with the ability to be quickly deployed on location, complete with DC backup, in a matter of minutes. With a variety of different solution available, systems can be configured for both partyline and point-to-point communication, integrate seamlessly with two-way radios, and include the Agent-IC mobile app option for remote team members.

Clear-Com and Media Production Since its founding in 1968, Clear-Com and its parent company HME have a long history of providing comms to camera operators and DPs involved in media production. Over the course of more than 50 years in business, Clear-Com has established itself as an industry leader, with world-class support designed to create solutions to address some of the most challenging communications needs. Clear-Com is in a unique position to support the evolving needs of media production professionals, with a strong network of channel partners around the world, and a dedication to ensuring people stay connected and collaborating, no matter the situation. Zone A Media Production Zones No physical or social distancing in this zone. Zone A includes: • Actors • Production Supervisor • Camera Operator Comms Voice of God speaker or discreet earpiece for actor communications FreeSpeak II wireless partyline for hands-free crew communications FreeSpeak II Zone A Media Production Zones No physical or social distancing in this zone. ZoneZone B Zone A A includes: Stringent physical or social distancing and wearing • Actors • Production Supervisor of masks enforced in this zone. Zone B includes: • Camera Operator Zone A • Assistant Director • Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up Comms • DIT • Audio/Comms FreeSpeak II Voice of God speaker• DPor discreet earpiece for actor communications Holding Zone Comms Zone B The Holding Zone is the FreeSpeak II wireless partyline FreeSpeak for II hands-free wireless partyline for hands-free LQ Series holding area where the crew communications crew communications bulk of the crew stand by. FreeSpeak II LQ Series IP Interface to connect with radios Zone B Zone B Zone A in holding zone Stringent physical or social distancing and wearing of masks enforced in this zone. Zone B includes:Holding Zone Zone A • Assistant Director •The Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up Holding Zone is the holding area where the • DIT • Audio/Comms H e bulk of the crew stand by. FreeSpeak II oZonelding A Zon • DP Media ProductionAgent-IC Zones No physical or social distancing in this zone. Zone Zone B Comms Zone C A includes: FreeSpeak II wirelessThis partyline is the outside for hands-free world - homes, offices, or hotels. LQ Series • Actors • Production Supervisor crew communicationsZone C includes: • Camera Operator LQ Series IP Interface• Director to connect with radios• Executive Producer ZonCommse B in holding zone • Agency Voice of God speaker or discreet earpiece for ZoZone C C Comms actor communicationsne Holding Clear-ComZone Agent-IC mobile app on phone/ FreeSpeak II wireless partyline for hands-free The Holding Zone is the holdingtablet area for real-timewhere the monitoring of production crew communications Ho e bulk of the crew stand by. FreeSpeak II lding Zon Agent-IC Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone A Media Production Zones No physical or social distancing in this zone. Zone Stringent physical or social distancing and wearing This is the outside world - homes, offices, or hotels. A includes: of masks enforced in this zone. Zone B includes: Zone C includes: Zo•n Actorse A • Production Supervisor • Assistant Director • Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up • Director • Executive Producer • Camera Operator • DIT • Audio/Comms • Agency FreeSpeak II • ZoneDP C Comms Zone C Comms Zone Voice Bof God speaker or discreet earpiece for Comms Clear-Com Agent-IC mobile app on phone/ actor communications FreeSpeak II wireless partyline for hands-free tablet for real-time monitoring of production LQ Series FreeSpeak II wireless partyline for hands-free crew communications Z crew communications LQ Series IP Interface to connect with radios FreeSpeak II one B in holding zone Zone B Zone A Stringent physical or social distancing and wearing Holding Zone of masks enforced in this zone. Zone B includes: The Holding Zone is the holding area where the Zone A TheHold•i nAssistantZoneg Zone Director System: • Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up The Safe Way Forwardbulk of the crew stand by. Agent-IC • DIT • Audio/Comms FreeSpeak II • DP Zone C The Directors Guild of America (DGA), InternationalThis is the outside worldAlliance - homes, of offices, or hotels. Zone B Comms FreeSpeak II wireless partyline for hands-free Zone C includes: LQ Series Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of • The Video Village has been moved crew communications • Director • Executive Producer Teamsters LQ Series (IBT) IP Interface and tothe connect Basic with Crafts, radios and• AgencyScreen Actors Guild- away from the set Zone B Zone C AmericanZonein Cholding Federation zone of Television and RadioComms Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Clear-Com Agent-IC mobile app on phone/ • Executives can communicate with joined together to release “The Safe Way Forwardtablet for,” real-time a Multi-Union monitoring of production Holding Zone the set from remote locations ReportThe Holding on COVID-19 Zone is the holding Safety area where Guidelines. the bulk of the crew stand by. Holding Zone • Director can be remote Agent-IC At the center of thisZone safety C guide is The Zone System, designed to safeguardThis is the theoutside actors world - homes,and crew. offices, orThis hotels. concept allows for minimal crew • All parties except actors maintain Zone C includes: in and• Director around the actors,• Executive with Producer the zones farther from the actors six feet of distance from others containing• Agency more crew positions. COVID-19 testing, physical distancing Z Zone C Comms • Each department (sound, camera, one C and safe, Clear-Com hygienic Agent-IC protocols mobile app onare phone/ also in place throughout all zones. tablet for real-time monitoring of production lighting, etc.) forms their own “pod” As the production team is now spread out from each other, in some cases contributing to the production from other states or even • Conversations that took place in countries, the ability to quickly and easily communicate with others quiet huddles now need to happen now requires a comms system. Clear-Com has outlined some potential over distance solutions in the diagrams below, however there are many different options depending on the particular needs of a production. B MediaMedia Production Production Zones Zones B

Zone A Zone A CO Cam Operator CO Cam Operator PS PS Production Production Supervisor Supervisor AG1 AG1 Act ActActor Actor KPA KPA Key KeyPA PA

ZoneZone B B Full-Duplex Communication AD AD 1AD 1AD 1st AD 1st AD 2AD 2AD nd ndAD AD Full-duplex describes bi-directional AOC AOC DP DPDP DP EP EP 1AD communications all the time. Regular 1AD DIT DIT PS PS DIT DIT communications between individuals HoldingHolding Zone Zone Act AOC All Other Crew Act AOC All Other Crew conversing in person is full-duplex, Zone C ZoneHolding C HoldingZone BZone BZone AZone A Zone C Zone Zone C meaning you can talk and listen Zone Dir Director AG KPA Dir Director DP CO KPA AG1 Agency 1 simultaneously, most closely mimicing AG DP CO AG1 AG2 Agency Agency 1 AG2 EP Agency Executive Director face-to-face conversations. Full-duplex DIT EP Executive Director DIT communication allows simultaneous

Dir two-way conversations where one Dir person can interrupt the other. Two-way radios or walkie-talkies only offer half-duplex communications.

Comms Assignment Chart Role Device Zone Access to Groups 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Director AIC on C Direction 1st AD DP AD/ Agency Exec Prod Talent VOG Direction iPhone Production

Agency AIC on C Direction Agency Agency Office 1 Tablet

Agency AIC on C Direction Agency Cameras Office 2 Tablet

Exec AIC on C Direction Agency AD/ Producer Android Production Phone

1st AD FSII BP B Direction AD/ Radios 2nd AD DP Radios Production

2nd AD FSII BP B Direction AD/ Radios 1st AD DP Talent Production

DP FSII BP B Direction Cameras DIT

DIT FSII BP B Direction Cameras DP AD/ Production

Cam Op 1 FSII BP A Cameras

Cam Op 2 FSII BP A Cameras

1st AC FSII BP Cameras

Prod Supe FSII BP & Direction AD/ Radios VOG Two-way Production Radio

Actor 1 IFB/Earwig A Talent

Actor 2 IFB/Earwig A Talent

Key PA FSII BP A AD/ Radios Production

Other Two-way Holding Radios Key Code Crew Radio Blue - Individual user/private channel-direct

VOG Local A Red - Group/partyline-everyone can hear and talk Overhead Green - IFB - one way to talent Monitor What we’re seeing this year on MasterChef Canada Season 7 (Post COVID) is a reliance on constant, consistent and broader communication more than ever before. Modern intercom unlocks a seemingly unlimited amount of configurations and possibilities, to the point where going backwards just isn’t an option.

In this new world, the full integration of an Intercom system really is the way of doing things on set, now and in the future.

Brent Marchenski Technical Producer MasterChef Canada 7 JuniorChef Showdown 2 The Great Canadian Bakeoff 4 Featured Products

FreeSpeak II® Digital Wireless FreeSpeak II is the industry-leading digital wireless solution used in Broadcast and Live Event productions all around the world. Available for use in either 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, FreeSpeak II offers ease of use, superior audio quality, and the freedom to move around uninhibited by wires. Read More

Agent-IC® Mobile App Clear-Com’s Agent-IC mobile app operates on iOS or Android devices over 3G, 4G, LTE and WiFi networks. Boasting very low latency and high audio quality, Agent-IC allows team members to connect to the main intercom system using their existing devices, no matter where in the world they are. A free trial version of Agent-IC is available to download from the Apple iTunes Store or Google Playstore. Read More

DX410™ Wireless The DX410 wireless all-in-one headset is a favorite of camera operators due to its lightweight and simple operation. While it doesn’t offer the robust feature set of the FreeSpeak II wireless system, it can be integrated into a FreeSpeak II system for those who prefer the DX format and streamlined user interface. Read More

LQ® Series IP Interfaces The LQ Series of products are the ultimate in IP interface solutions; they can integrate any audio stream into the intercom system, including two-way radios, telephones, and the Agent-IC mobile app. Its flexibility makes LQ the ultimate multitasker in an intercom system. Read More

Headsets Clear-Com offers a wide range of professional headsets which are designed for comfort and durability. Since this is a high-touch item it is ideal for each crew member to have their own personal headset, Clear-Com also offers Refresh Kits for Headset Sanitization for many of our most popular models. Read More About Clear-Com ® Clear-Com, an HME company, is a global provider of professional real-time intercom communication solutions and services since 1968. We offer market-proven intercom solutions that link people together through wired and wireless intercom systems and connectivity options. Our history is rooted in technological advancements and innovations that deliver significant improvements to the way people collaborate when instant communication matters. In the markets we serve - broadcast, live performance, live events, sports, military, aerospace and government—our communication products consistently meet the demands for high-quality audio, reliability, scalability and low latency, as well as address communication requirements of varying size and complexity. Clear-Com is recognized globally for its product achievements, consistent level of customer engagement, and dedication to delivering the right solutions for specialized applications, with the expertise to make it work.

Alameda, California, USA Headquarters Tel: +1.510.337.6600 Email: [email protected] Carlsbad, California, USA Operations & Manufacturing Tel: +1.858.535.6000