Breaking Free and Staying in Flow: Taking Manual Control in Automated Studio Workflows with Viz Mosart


Breaking Free and Staying in Flow: Taking Manual Control in Automated Studio Workflows with Viz Mosart

Summary: Got breaking news or a sudden change to your planned stories? Breaking out of automated workflows for news and sport live productions and taking manual control is easy when you have Viz Mosart assisting your productions. And slipping back into the automated flow is as simple as clicking “Take Next”. Learn how in this blog post and Viz Minute video! 

Studio automation tools have revolutionized the broadcasting industry, assisting news, sport, and entertainment productions with streamlined workflows and enhanced efficiency across operations for two decades. But for many live production pros, one lingering question remains: “What happens when the unexpected strikes?” Whether you’re dealing with breaking news or an on-the-fly change to your sporting coverage, maintaining control without disrupting the automation flow is critical. 

That’s where Viz Mosart studio automation comes in. Viz Mosart doesn’t automate productions in the way you might think. It’s not a robot trying to take your job, and it doesn’t produce the show automatically for you; instead, it integrates with all your studio and gallery devices so you can control them simultaneously from a single interface with quick keyboard commands. It automates mundane and repetitive tasks into automated workflows, so you can control multiple devices with a single click or push of a button. Connected to your newsroom computer system (NRCS) or using Viz Mosart’s Showmaker web app, you create your rundown with your planned stories to prepare Viz Mosart for your expected show, but it’s just a guide and you’re free to take fully manual or semi-automated control at any time. And when you’re ready to continue as planned, just “Take Next” into the next planned story. 

Case Study

Discover how Avrotros reduced production costs and increased quality and consistency with Viz Mosart

Got breaking news? An unexpected need for manual mixing during a live show? With Viz Mosart, you can manage it seamlessly while keeping production smooth, professional, and engaging.

This flexibility means you’re still in control of the show, but now you have more time to focus on the wider look and feel of the show and telling the story, rather than worrying about handling multiple pieces of equipment in tandem.

Viz Mosart stands at the forefront of studio automation technology.
Jun Ye, Graphics & Automation Technology Manager, at Nine

The Building Blocks of Studio Automation Flexibility

But how does it work?

The answer lies in Viz Mosart’s dynamic templates and intuitive keyboard shortcuts, two features that ensure flexibility without sacrificing efficiency or creativity. Check it out in this quick Viz Minute video.

1. Templates Built for Creative Freedom

At the heart of Viz Mosart lies its powerful template system. Think of templates as the building blocks for every show you produce. They tell Viz Mosart which devices to control, when to activate them, and how to sequence actions during your broadcast.

  • Customizable Options: From creating templates for transitions to loading graphics or activating microphones, you can build fully automated workflows tailored to your production needs.
  • On-Demand Control: Templates aren’t just there for fully automated shows. You can use them to trigger specific actions at a moment’s notice, giving you all the flexibility you might need to adapt during live broadcasts.

For instance, if you suddenly need to switch camera angles, display an emergency graphic, and activate a mic for breaking news, you can utilize templates to execute it all with a single press of a button, without interrupting the broader automation sequence. This ability to control multiple devices at once unlocks greater creative flexibility. Automating device control means teams can focus on innovative ways to immerse the viewer in the story. Learn how in this blog post about unlocking creative freedom with studio automation.

2. Efficiency at Your Fingertips with Keyboard Shortcuts

Gone are the days of massive control panels with hundreds of buttons. Viz Mosart replaces clunky setups with intuitive keyboard shortcuts, making it easier to take control of your broadcast.

  • Streamlined Controls: Assign individual templates or even a series of templates to single keys. This means a single press of a button can change cameras, roll a video clip, display on-screen graphics, switch audio inputs, and more.
  • No Workflow Interruption: The beauty of Mosart lies in its ability to allow operators to remain within the Rundown, even when switching to manual input. This means you’re always in sync with your automation flow, no matter how many manual interventions are made.
  • Small, Powerful, and Portable: Even with the complexity of traditional mixing tools consolidated into a compact keyboard, you can still achieve precise and professional results without losing valuable studio space or time.
The reason we went with Viz Mosart was that it offered the most cost-effective way for us to more than double our news output.
John Pecaut, General Manager, WBRZ-TV

Imagine you’re running a traditional newscast. Suddenly, breaking news comes in. With Viz Mosart’s keyboard shortcuts, you can instantly override automation, activate the required elements (like switching to a live feed), and handle the situation with precision. Once the breaking segment concludes, simply hit “Take Next” to transition seamlessly back into the pre-planned rundown.

The custom keyboard Avrotros uses to control entire live shows
We need to do a lot with very little. For us, Viz Mosart means we can run an entire control room with just two operators and a producer, whereas traditional systems would require up to a dozen people to deliver the same. This makes a huge difference to us and allows us to produce 18 hours of live content a day as efficiently as possible.
Stephen Willmott, Head of Technology and Operations, GB News

Breaking Out and Slipping Back into Flow

One of the standout features of Viz Mosart is how easy it is for Technical Directors to regain their footing in the automation flow after manual control. Instead of leaving automation altogether, you’re always tethered to the rundown.

Here’s how it works:

  • Transition to Manual Control: Use templates or shortcuts to override specific actions while addressing live production needs.
  • Control On-the-Fly: Perform any necessary manual actions without disrupting the bigger picture.
  • Seamlessly Rejoin Automation: When ready, simply press “Take Next” to pick up where you left off in your Mosart Rundown flow.

This elegant design means you get the best of both worlds: the precision of automation and the adaptability required for live, unpredictable scenarios.

Real-Life Application

Imagine this scenario:

  • You’re running a carefully automated newscast when last-minute breaking news comes in.
  • A producer informs you that you’ll need to cut to live footage of an unfolding event.
  • With a single press of a key, you activate a template that changes the camera feed to the live reporter, displays an emergency graphic, and activates the appropriate audio.

No scrambling, no disruptions. And once the breaking news is over, simply press “Take Next” to resume your original broadcast plan.

This level of flexibility ensures that chaos behind the scenes never translates to chaos on-air, giving studio teams the confidence and control they need during high-pressure moments.

Why Viz Mosart is a Game-Changer

Viz Mosart empowers studio managers, news broadcasters, and vision mixers to do more with less pressure. Its intuitive tools combine the sophistication of automation with the freedom of manual control, making it easier than ever to manage live, dynamic productions.

Key Benefits

  • Adaptability: Effortlessly handle live or breaking news scenarios without skipping a beat.
  • Simplicity: Replace complex control systems with compact, user-friendly keyboards.
  • Efficiency: Focus on creativity and decision-making, knowing the heavy lifting is handled by automation.
  • Professionalism: Deliver flawless on-air productions with drastically improved consistency and quality, no matter the circumstances.

With Viz Mosart, you’re never locked into rigid workflows. Instead, you gain the flexibility to respond like a pro to even the most unexpected challenges.

Take Control with Viz Mosart

Dynamic broadcasts require dynamic tools. Viz Mosart’s powerful templates and keyboard shortcuts are redefining what’s possible in studio automation, allowing operators to maintain creative control, adapt on the fly, and deliver seamless results.

There’s a reason the biggest and brightest names in news and sport use Viz Mosart to run their live productions. Book a demo today to explore how Viz Mosart can equip your team with tools to master both automation and creativity.