Character Graphics - Commonly referred to as C.G.'s, the C.G. operator is responsible for all graphics during a broadcast.

During pre-production the C.G. operator will set-up a rundown of all key-in graphics and complete full page graphics with the assistance of the Technical Director.

The C.G. operator will also complete the key-in graphics for a credit's roll.

 

The content used in this site was created specifically for this page by myself except where otherwise noted. Thanks to Sean McGivney for the small C.G. operator pic at the very bottom of the center column. All over-the-shoulder graphics were created by myself at ISU. Images behind the other graphics are from CNN News feeds. Thanks also to Sean McGivney and Shannon Bonner for their help in the early versions of this project and for assistance with the position descriptions. The use of these materials was done solely for the educational purpose at Illinois State University.

The C.G. operator will also complete the key-in graphics for a credit's roll, stock report, or weather graphics.


The key-in graphics are the primary responsibility for the C.G. operator. These graphics identify items such as location, name, title, side by side talent names, and other important information necessary to inform the viewer.

 

Want a Virtual Reality tour of the control room?? Click the link below for a 360 degree view of ISU's control room. Or check out the maps page to get an idea of the station layout.

Control Room VR

Maps

 

 

 TOP

 

All around this page are examples of what a C.G. operator might do at a news station. The images with black around the outside of them are over-the-shoulder graphics used to support the talent during a story.

Without the C.G. operator it would be impossible to properly identify sources to the viewer, which makes the C.G. operator an important part of the production crew.


Check out what some production students have to say about graphic positions. Highly compressed Real Audio files (RA) clips are provided. Download the Real player and install to play the RA files, if these do not play when you click on the links below. Check out theInterviews section to hear all of the clips.

 

Character Generator (CGs)

SOT1 (65K RA ) :32

 


LINKS

 

Chryon Character Generators

American Inst. of Graphic Arts

Broadcast Designers Association

Association of Imaging Technology and Sound

Juntunen Media Group

Magick Lantern Graphics

Match Frame Designer Graphics

 

 

Joel Johnson ©1999 Feel free to send mail to jrjohns@ilstu.edu