Graphics have many applications, such as title cards, cast lists, maps, tables, charts, photographs, and inserts. Graphics should not be treated casually. Without precautions, graphics can become unsharp, confusing, tilted, distorted, and incomplete. Much of the graphics and text used in motion-video productions are created on a character generator. A character generator is an electronic device used to create words or graphics and electronically inserts them over a video picture. When a character generator is not available, graphics must be recorded by a camera

When you are shooting graphics that will be viewed on a monitor, the camera lens must be centered and parallel the graphic. The graphic and camera must be level. Your framing must be correct.

Figure 13-15. The 3:4 ratio used for a video graphic.

Get in close enough with the video camera to show clearly all detail, but not so close that some of the information area is lost. Avoid using a wide-angle lens. Besides the possibility of camera shadows falling on the graphic, distortion is likely to occur and will be most noticeable when panning over the graphic. A longer focal-length lens overcomes the distortion problem, but is less smoothly panned.

LIGHTING

Because light reflections can obscure detail on a shiny graphic, the experienced graphic artist and photographer will avoid glossy materials and glossy photographs. However, when it is causing objectionable reflections, the graphic can sometimes be tilted slightly to help clear them; otherwise, relighting or surface dulling may become necessary. The lighting for a TV graphic is similar to lighting reflection originals in copy

work. Graphics must be flat. Unmounted, warped, or curved surfaces easily show unwanted reflections.

SAFE TITLE AREA

In the production of slides for use as television graphics, important picture information must be confined within the area of the TV monitor.

Figure 13-15 is drawn in proportion to a 35mm film frame and shows the safe title area, maximum transmitted area, and film frame.