In the near future, as HD transmission becomes a reality in the UK, both broadcasters and retailers will persuade viewers to upgrade their existing television system to one capable of receiving programming in high definition.

The startlingly clear picture quality, more than four times sharper than standard definition, gives an amazing cinematic depth of detail, particularly when viewed on large screens (48”+). The enhanced picture quality coupled with stunning 5.1 surround sound provides the consumer with a truly phenomenal viewing experience.

Whilst all the above may be strong selling points to the viewer, those having to appear on HD may be justifiably concerned about how this new technology will affect their on screen image.

Talent who are comfortable viewing themselves projected in cinematic formats may be more at ease when working with HD than those artistes less familiar with seeing themselves on a big screen.

Those artistes who are more used to reviewing their performance on standard definition video may find that being shot with a camera that can “see” so much more detail might create a level of anxiety that negatively impacts their performance.

Having read or heard that HD can reveal every tiny facial flaw and imperfection, many artistes, performers and presenters will naturally have queries and questions about working in this new medium.

It is hoped that your artistes will find straightforward answers to many of their most frequently asked questions by visiting the On Screen Talent page of this website.

The most effective method of addressing your artiste’s concerns is to employ an experienced HD crew who can adapt make-up, lighting and camera to ensure your on screen talent will look great and feel confident when being shot in high definition.

Even when employing an experienced HD crew, it’s always helpful for key personnel to have access to a colour balanced HD monitor during your shoot. This may or may not be the same playback monitor used by the Director of Photography - although a second colour balanced HD monitor for crew use is generally preferable.

Although the additional expense of providing a full HD monitor may not be your top priority, an HD floor monitor and the few minutes spent colour balancing it should help your crew avoid many of the potential problems that can arise when filming in high definition.

It will also minimise the need for you to “fix it in post” and eliminate the guesswork involved when looking at high definition images on an SD monitor.

Ideally your HD monitor should be either a full 1080 or 720 line with as large a screen as your budget will allow.

If you are broadcasting “live” or recording “as live” in a television studio, the HD monitor on the floor should ideally be as closely colour matched to the transmission output (TX) monitor in the gallery as possible.

When you have multiple monitors on set, it’s not essential that every screen is high definition - nor is it necessary to accurately colour balance each monitor - but the primary HD colour balanced monitor should be clearly flagged so the relevant crew will know which monitor to work from.

It’s essential that your make-up and hair artist understands the important differences between make-up for SD and HD and how to work to film standard.

Provided you employ an experienced make-up artist, they should have no problem in creating make-ups that work well on HD.

Where possible, the talent should also be sympathetically lit to minimise less flattering aspects of their appearance which may become more evident in high definition and, in particular, to minimise any harshness of detail in their on screen image.

The increasing use of multiple camera set ups in both television and film often makes lighting talent more challenging than when shooting with a single camera. Whenever possible, pre-light using stand-ins, rather than just lighting the set, even on a basic single camera set up.

The most stunning on screen images of your performer will result from a close collaboration between lighting, camera, hair, make-up and costume.

By ensuring that you have a good crew, you should have few problems when working in HD.