Job of Character Generator

Newscasts typically have a graphics format that specifies certain fonts, sizes, and colors. The format is contained in a series of electronic templates within the CG that are used to create the CG for the program. Prior to the show, the Graphics operator will be primarily concerned with creating the CG needed to cover an individual program—the CG needed just for that particular show. Most Graphics operators have at this point already created the program CG and will merely need to load it in order into a final playlist.

The CG needed to cover an individual program, as one might imagine, will vary from show to show. Names of people, places, and reporters that appear in the video clips to be used will also need to be created, saved, and loaded (in order). One way to manage the process is to save CG files by run number and tag them in order (100-1, 100-2, 100-3, etc.). Requests for special graphics will need to be processed and loaded—pages of sports scores, stock reports, telephone numbers to call “for more information,” and the like. Once the graphics are created, each page will need to be loaded (organized) into a playlist for recall during the program. It is at this point that some software packages permit animations to be linked to particular CG pages (like flipping a name onto or off of the screen).
(Andrew Utterback)