Live shows above all else must be organized. There is no going back and trying it again. And, since your speakers and your technical crew must be in sync, an easy to read one page sheet is key to a flawless broadcast.
Top Four Mistakes For A Run Of Show
- Using Excel – A Run Of Show needs to be simple and easy to read. Excel does not print out well and is hard to follow. Use Microsoft Word and insert a table. Keep the table to 3-4 columns. Keep wording short and simple and most of all easy to read. The Run Of Show should fit on one page.
- Using Wordy Descriptions – Keep the wording and file info brief. For instance, Slides 1-5, or #1 Slide- Apples. Do not use several words in a column such as Mayor’s September Address. Just put Video -#4 Video- Mayor.
- Putting the words before the number in labeling the visuals, such as Mayor’s Acceptance Speech – Video 4. On a computer, your crew will see all the words before the number. It’s important that the Run Of Show corresponds easily with the computer file names for each element. So, just use #4 Video Mayor. Your crew knows the video is the 4th visual element in the show. They know it’s a video and Mayor lets them know it’s the correct video.
- Using a complex numbering system. Some producers like to have slides and videos labeled different, such as #1-5 Slides, #1 Video, #2 Video. Others prefer having each visual in order such as #1. Slide-Apples, #2. Video – Mayor, #3. Slide-Farm, etc. And, just to add another layer of complexity, some shows have audio files as well as Slides and Videos. Again, you might have 1.Slide-Apples, 2. Audio – Host, 3. Video – Mayor or 1. Slide – Apples, 1. Audio-Host, 1. Video-Mayor. It’s always good to check with your live streaming team and see if they have a preference.The most important thing to realize is that your Run Of Show will be the document that keeps your show on track. You might feel that as long as you are there and can explain everything to your crew, that a cumbersome Run Of Show will work. However, with live shows, things come up that you don’t expect. You may get called away. Your crew needs a clear, concise and simple Run Of Show that they can easily follow to ensure a good broadcast. Below is an example of a Run Of Show Document.
