A floor manager or floor director is a member of the crew of a
television
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...
show.
The floor manager is responsible for giving information from the
director
Director may refer to:
Literature
* ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine
* ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker
* ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty
Music
* Director (band), an Irish rock band
* ''D ...
in the control room, to the crew on the studio floor, and then back to the director.
Duties
* Ensure all equipment is working on the set, before and during show
[“Floor Manager”]
* Ensure on air talent's hair, put microphones, and clothing are in working order and presentable for camera
* Ensure set is clean and free of debris that might show up on camera
* Inform director and
producer of off-camera action
* Give them no time and have to be done with the set in under 30 seconds before the end of commercial break
* Understand entire show in order to make changes when needed to set, props, etc.
* Brief talent/guests on what to expect during show
* Help plan the show
* Deal with light & sound adjustment during show
* Deal with technical issues and change batteries during show
* If there is an audience, seat them, manage them during show, cue them
Floor managers working for
news productions must have flexible working hours. They may need to work on weekends, extended hours, or even travel to different locations depending on the show's needs. They can typically dress in casual but appropriate attire, depending on the setting.
“Television Floor Manager: Salary and Conditions”
“UK's Official Graduate Careers Website”,
Skills/qualities
Floor managers traditionally have other experience working in television, and work up to the position of floor manager.
“UK's Official Graduate Careers Website”, They should know the other technical positions in a studio, in order to have the maturity and experience to do their job effectively. Media
Media may refer to:
Communication
* Media (communication), tools used to deliver information or data
** Advertising media, various media, content, buying and placement for advertising
** Broadcast media, communications delivered over mass e ...
, film, television, or even theater studies
Theatre studies (sometimes referred to as theatrology or dramatics) is the study of theatrical performance in relation to its literary, physical, psychobiological, sociological, and historical contexts. It is an interdisciplinary field which also e ...
are helpful but not required. Floor managers must be able to work under pressure with composure, anticipate potential problems and know how to address them, communicate effectively and quickly, be able to work with different personalities, and know how to multitask. Floor managers require a good sense of timing and space.
References
Television terminology
{{tv-term-stub