TV Edit Automation
TV Edit Automation
AutoPilot
In October 2004 producer Per Zachariassen of Blu Productions outlined the idea of a new type of software, allowing TV producers and directors to test and prepare edits, and camera-instructions in advance, synced to the soundtrack or video-footage to be used in a given TV show.
Per asked me to develop the software, and the result was AutoPilot, which since then has been used for producing TV shows such as DR's X Factor, Talent 2008, Showtime, and Stjerne for en aften, TV2 Zulu's Zulu Awards, and TV2's Scenen er din (Starsearch), and many more.
Watch the YouTube video above to get an impression of how AutoPilot works. Or click here to download a better-resolution version (WMV - 22MB)
The ultra-talented Linda singing Pink's 'So What' winning her the X-factor title of 2009
From the Danish finals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
A commercial presentation of AutoPilot
System
The system is developed in Visual Basic 6.0 using GDI for all graphics and live animations.
AutoPilot in Replay-mode
The screenshot above shows an example of AutoPilot in Replay-mode: At the bottom is the timeline and controls, synced to external timecode (MTC or SMPTE) from the band in the studio. Above the timeline is the cue-list for the cameramen, allowing each camera to know what shot is next and how long it is, plus instructions on what the shot should be.
AutoPilot in action in the control room
The photo above shows the control room while producing a song in a live TV show. The producer (left) monitors the shots from the cameras, while the videomixer (right) watches AutoPilot performing all the edits automatically.
All cameramen are fed the live list of cues from AutoPilot. The little LCD-monitor shows the shotlist with info and timing for each camera
Examples from different TV shows
Below are som examples of different productions made with AutoPilot.
Norwegian X-Factor, Fall 2009
From the Danish finals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Anette Heick singing at the Danish finals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Brian mcFadden playing at the Zulu Awards 2004, with AutoPilot controlling videomixer and cuing cameramen on shots and timing
Shot from Kan Du Danse (Can you Dance) 2006
Robyn singing at the Zulu Awards 2005
Producers Lars Hammer and Hans Sølvhøj using AutoPilot for the production of Congratulations - the Eurovision 50'th anniversary show, broadcast to all of Europe, October 22. 2005
Rehearsals for Congratulations in Forum, Copenhagen
All the edits in the songs in Showtime on DR1 (2005) are prepared and executed using AutoPilot. Here Bjørn Lomborg is singing in the rain. Though a good singer - Lomborg is a better scientist (and author)
Member of the Danish Parlament, Frank Jensen singing in Showtime, assisted by his sons
From the Finals of Scenen er din - 2005 (Starsearch): Volf Duo playing the Thin Lizzy classic The Boys are back in Town. The boys - and girls - in the back are bandleader Jesper Svejdal with band - including drummer generating sync for AutoPilot
The winner of the finals in Stjerne for en aften - 2005, Jacob Andersen
Julie singing at the Zulu Awards 2004
From Bournonville Galla at The Royal Danish Theatre, June 11. 2005