production people to handle. You must keep in mind that this is the
size of the stock and the viewing area is smaller after applying the
onesixth rule. When designing a series of graphics for a single
television production, make every possible effort to keep them the same
size. This helps to eliminate the need for the camera operator to
constantly refocus the camera.
(3) Checking the clarity of the graphic. When you design a
graphic, it is approximately 20 inches from your eyes; therefore, it
appears to have excellent clarity. However, you must determine if it
maintains that clarity when a television viewer sees it.
At what distance must you view the graphic to have the perspective as a
television viewer? For this discussion, the basic graphic's height is
10 inches, it has a border of 1 1/2 inches at the top and bottom, the
viewer has a 14 inch monitor and is 9 feet way from it. To find the
distance you must view the graphic from, you must first determine the
height of the graphic itself by taking away the top and bottom borders
(10 3 = 7), which leaves the graphic's height, 7 inches. Since the
height of the graphic equals half the height of the monitor, you must
view it at half the distance the viewer is away from the monitor (9 2
= 4 1/2), 4 1/2 feet. When you look at the graphic from 4 1/2 feet, you
have the same perspective as the viewer. You apply this theory to any
size graphic, monitor, and viewing distance to check the clarity of a
graphic. The point of the entire discussion and illustration is to
point out that the clarity you see at the working distance is not the
same clarity the viewer may see. To ensure your finished graphic
presents its message clearly, constantly check your work for clarity.
d. Lettering Television Graphics. The legibility standard used for
television requires a picture, including the lettering, being legible at
20 feet when displayed on a 21inch monitor. There are no hard and fast
rules for lettering television graphics. You apply the lettering
techniques as discussed in lesson 1 of this subcourse when applying
lettering and combine those techniques with your experience, the
broadcasting station's capabilities, and local standing operating
procedures.
(1) Lettering television graphics criteria. The criteria for
lettering television graphics is when the viewer can read and understand
the lettering on the monitor, you have selected lettering of adequate
size and style. On the other hand, if the viewer cannot read and
understand the lettering on the monitor, the size and style lettering
you selected was not adequate.
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