The Real Talkshow

Working at Warner Brothers, Telepictures and contributing to the Emmy Award-winning show, “The Real,” was a dream come true. The experience was nothing short of exhilarating, and it served as a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Being surrounded by the daily hustle and bustle of numerous productions on the Warner Brothers Lot was truly an immersive and transformative journey.

During my post in the graphics department, my responsibilities covered a wide range of essential tasks, each contributing to the success of our graphics and animations:

• File Organization: One of the foundational elements of our work was meticulous file organization. With the sheer volume of graphics produced weekly for various shows, establishing a robust file structure and naming scheme was crucial. This ensured that files could be quickly located by new team members in the future, supporting efficiency and accuracy.
• Concept Development: Collaborating with a team of producers was a fundamental part of our creative process. When tasked with creating a title graphic, we engaged in detailed discussions to understand the graphic’s purpose, communication objectives, and desired mood. These initial meetings set the tone for each project and honed my ability to listen and deliver precisely what our clients required.
• Storyboarding: To convey the essence of our graphic concepts quickly, we employed storyboarding. Using samples and references as placeholders, we created concise storyboards that visually articulated our ideas. These storyboards played a pivotal role in securing approvals from the production teams.
• Color Themes: The establishment of color schemes was integrated into the storyboarding process, ensuring that the visual identity of our graphics aligned with the overall mood and message.
• Graphic Design: Once storyboards were approved, we transitioned to the graphic design phase. Here, we fully developed all graphic elements, replacing placeholders with high-resolution assets. We also fine-tuned color themes to perfection during this stage.
• Animation: With organized graphics and elements at our disposal, we embarked on the animation phase. Elements were separated, and the animation process began, giving life to our graphics.
• Sound Design: Depending on the requirements of each animation, we carefully selected and integrated sound effects to complement the mood and motion, enhancing the overall viewer experience.
• Music: Simultaneously, we curated music that harmonized with the animation’s mood and synchronized seamlessly with the movement of graphic elements.
• Color Correction: Just before the final export, a meticulous color correction pass ensured that our graphics looked their absolute best.
• Proof: We exported a proof as a sample for the production team to review. This critical step allowed for feedback and additional notes, ensuring that the graphics met the show’s requirements.
• Notes and Revisions: Final revisions were thoughtfully addressed and implemented based on the feedback received during the proofing stage.
• Final Export: Finally, we exported the approved proof along with full-resolution renders. These assets were then submitted to the studio for execution during the taping of the show.

This experience at “The Real” not only honed my technical skills but also provided invaluable insights into effective communication, teamwork, and the art of delivering quality work within tight deadlines. It was an environment where creativity thrived, and I had the privilege of contributing to the show’s success.