Actions are simple commands you can add to a playlist in an Automated Game Plan. They don't bring a specific graphic on air. Instead, they control what is already on screen, such as clearing every graphic or bringing the scorebug back. This article shows you how to add an action and when to use each one.
[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER: Automation_09_Add_an_Action_v1.0.mp4]
Before you start
You need the Graphics module. Automation runs your theme's graphics, so it needs Graphics to work.
You need an Automated Game Plan, created in the Automation tab.
You need a playlist inside that game plan to add the action to. This can be a pre or post match playlist, a break playlist or an in-game playlist.
What actions do
Most playlist items put something on screen, such as an overlay graphic, multimedia or an advertisement. Actions are different. They change the state of the screen as a whole, which helps keep your broadcast tidy as the playlist moves from one item to the next.
There are three actions to choose from:
Hide All clears every graphic from the screen.
Show Scorebug brings the scorebug back on screen.
Hide All Except Scorebug clears every graphic but leaves the scorebug in place.
Add an action
Go to the Automation tab and open the Automated Game Plan you want to edit.
Open the playlist you want to add the action to.
Click Add Item to Sequence. This shows the types of item you can add to the playlist.
Click Add Action.
Choose the action you want: Hide All, Show Scorebug or Hide All Except Scorebug.
Click Add Action to put it on the timeline.
The action now appears as an item on the playlist timeline. When the playlist runs during a match, the action fires when the playlist reaches it, just like any other item. Check where it sits in the sequence compared with your other items, because the order decides what viewers see and when.
Choosing the right action
Hide All
Hide All is a good first item in a break playlist, so each break starts clean. For example, if a lower third or match stats graphic is still showing when Harbour City (HCF) v Ridgeview (RVR) goes to half-time, Hide All clears it before your break content begins. Remember that it removes the scorebug too.
Show Scorebug
Use Show Scorebug when you want the scorebug back after it has been cleared. For example, you might place it near the end of a break playlist so the score is back on screen as play resumes. Make sure your theme includes a scorebug graphic.
Hide All Except Scorebug
Use Hide All Except Scorebug when you want to tidy the screen but keep the score visible. This suits moments where you want to clear lower thirds or other graphics without viewers losing track of the score.
Tips and common mistakes
Start break playlists with Hide All so nothing left over from play overlaps your break graphics or ads.
Hide All clears the scorebug as well. If you want the scorebug back afterwards, add Show Scorebug later in the playlist, or use Hide All Except Scorebug instead.
Actions affect every graphic on screen, not only the ones the playlist added. Keep this in mind when placing them.
Preview your playlist before match day to check the actions fire in the right order.
After a match, review the completed match in the Automation tab to confirm your actions ran when you expected.