Audiovisual Technician Definition

The Audiovisual Technician is the specialist in the technical treatment of the image and sound of a TV, film, or web production (short films and clips for websites). They also intervene during a concert or a show integrating audiovisual elements on stage.

Acting from the conception of a production, Audiovisual technicians (AV) choose and prepare the material, make the adjustments and the recordings (image and sound), then the exploitation of these. Detecting technical problems and resolving faults is also part of their remit.

Functions of Audiovisual Technician

Their main activities are:

Organization of AV production

  • Analyze the request and clarify the mandate with the client (producers, filmmakers, event organizers)
  • Verify the feasibility of the project and propose technical solutions that take into account audio, video, light and scenery constraints.
  • Contribute to the planning of the audiovisual production with the directors and make a location identification.
  • Establish the list of necessary facilities and draft the production plan (procedure for the implementation of the project).

Establishment of AV production

  • Organize the logistics on the spot, use the equipment of the production centers, the reporting cars, the concert halls, etc.
  • Lead the team that mounts and cable technical installations (video/image, sound, lighting), enforce safety standards; network equipment, set up, and adjust cameras and lavalier microphones.
  • Test the operation of the entire technical device, remedy faults, and provide a backup solution to ensure production in case of problems.

Realization of AV production

  • To illuminate the stage, to film and record the scene or the subject, to operate the digital camera. And also, to control the robotic system, to frame and vary the shots.
  • Sometimes record the sound separately, on different tracks.
  • Synchronize audio and video sources, track the production plan, and manage time strictly.
  • control the images, save the digital file recordings, and distribute them in the required formats.
  • In addition, disassemble the equipment according to the safety instructions, carry out simple maintenance work (devices and software).

AV Postproduction

  • View and audition the recorded data, evaluate the quality of the image and sound.
  • Make the first editing of the video material, create web, TV or cinema versions according to the technical standards in force.
  • And also, mix sounds, eliminate noises, add music, etc.
  • Perform a check with the customer before finalizing the editing or assigning this task to the film editors;
  • prepare the final work report.

The working environment of Audiovisual Technician

The Audiovisual technician works as a team and collaborates with many other professionals in the field (directors, directors, cameramen, sound technicians, journalists, presenters, event organizers, etc.) Although, for live broadcasts, they are busy in a dynamic and hectic atmosphere, under permanent artificial lighting.

  • During outdoor production, they have to cope with particular environmental constraints (climate, noise, cramped space).
  • And also, the schedules of the Audiovisual technicians are mostly irregular (evening, night, weekend).
  • The deadlines imposed are often very short and frequent travel, even abroad.