What is the primary purpose of a monitor in a production setting?

The primary purpose of a monitor in a production setting is to show the live feed of the production. This allows the crew, including directors, camera operators, and other personnel, to see exactly what is being captured in real time. Monitoring the live feed is crucial for making immediate adjustments to camera angles, lighting, and other production elements to ensure that the final output meets the desired quality and vision.

While displaying audio levels, allowing talent to view graphics, and providing scripts are all important roles in a production, they are secondary to the live feed function. Monitors designed for these other purposes have specific functions but do not encompass the overall role of providing a visual reference for the entire production as a live feed monitor does. Thus, option C distinctly captures the essential operational utility of monitors in a production environment.