PART 1 The Foundations of Television Production THE PRODUCTION SWITCHER The production switcher (Figure 3.24) allows the director to edit live between the various program sources (cam- eras, graphics, satellite feeds, and playback units). The primary means of transition are: Cut or take. This instant change from one image to another is the most used transition during productions. It has been said that 99% of all tran- sitions are cuts. Dissolve. Dissolves are a gradual change from one image to the next and are usually used to show a change of time or location. Wipe. The wipe is a novel transition that can take many different shapes. (See Figure 3.25.) It shows a change of time, subject, or location. Although the wipe can inject interest or fun in the sequence of shots, it can be easily overused. Fade. A fade signifies a dissolve transition to or from black. (See Chapter 17 for more information about switching.) FIGURE 3.24 A complex production switcher. The Wipe Wipes, used as a unique transition between incoming images on the switcher, can be quite flexible. Most medium- and higher-end switchers allow wipes to be customized. Although the results are always geometrical, you can change them in several ways: 38 FIGURE 3.25 This illustration shows some of the wipe pat- terns that are available on production switchers. Video editors also have a wide variety of wipes available. (Image courtesy of Thomson/Grass Valley) Pattern size can be adjusted--expanded or contracted. Pattern shapes can be adjusted. For example, a square can be made rectangular; a circle can become an ellipse. The pattern can be moved around the frame: up/ down, left/right, diagonally. You can control the speed at which the pat- tern changes or moves, using a fader lever or an autowipe button. The symmetry of the pattern can be adjusted. The pattern edges can be made hard (sharp) or soft (diffused). If sources are interswitched instanta- neously, there will be a sharply defined division. A border can be placed around a pattern insert, in black, white, or color. There are literally dozens of wipe patterns, but some typical examples are shown in Figure 3.25. Chroma-Key A significant option on many switchers is chroma-key. Chroma-key allows the director to insert one image onto another. (See Figure 3.26.) It has endless applications, especially when combined with other video effects. Chroma-key can simulate total reality or create magical, stylized, decorative displays. (Additional information concerning chroma-key vir- tual sets is provided in Chapter 13.)