Studio Cards
Introduction
Studio cards are artwork created for television transmission and are
frequently created on a cardstock or rigid backing. Rigidity makes cardstock
easier to handle in front of the camera. Studio cards are classified according
to function.
Size
Style
No single card size is appropriate for all television artwork or pictures. A
generally accepted standard for cards is 10 by 12 inches. Using this standard
size card offers the following advantages:
Easy handling. There is enough boarder to prevent damage to the art. It
is also easier to handle many cards on a card stand in front of the camera
when they are all the same size.
Easy filing. The size of this card easily fits into a standard size office
filing cabinet.
Economy. You can cut 9 standard size cards from 30- by 40-inch board
stock without waste.
Convenience. Most art and photographs fit this size card.
The style of a graphic should match the style of the program or subject.
Titles should reflect the character of the show without being tactless or
obtrusive.
Contrast
The contrast of graphics cards for television reproduction refers to the
amount of light and dark areas in the picture. This is critical for good
reproduction, particularly in black and white transmission. Limit your
palette on a color graphic to three tints and two shades of each intense hue.
More than six values of a single hue are hard to distinguish. Light tints of
hues, such as a yellow, will fade into white. Shades of blues and reds may
appear black. Greys are difficult to reproduce accurately. Use a mat finish
paint or medium. The best way to determine the most responsive palette for
your television system is to experiment with it.
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