If you watched our telecast last night, you were witness to another unique situation. But, if you were not in the TV mobile production unit, you would never know it.
Because of a crewing situation, there were only two camera operators manning their usual positions - Camera 4 (centerfield) and camera 6 (tight centerfield).
For our home telecasts, we utilize seven cameras for coverage plus a booth camera for talent.
Camera 1 is located in the left field corner. This position gives a good look into the home dugout. The primary responsibilities of this position include shagging (following) the ball and reaction isos (shots of particular players according to the game situation) Our primary operator at this position has provided our telecasts with many memorable replays and has created many unique shots from this position. Because of the crewing situation, this operator was moved to the high home position. (Camera 2) The individual who operated camera 1 last night is usually one of our main replay operators. During the telecast, this operator took some ribbing from his cohorts in the tape room, but his excellent work on camera 1 made a great contribution to the telecast.
The high home camera (camera 2) is the main “game” camera during a baseball telecast. This is the camera that follows the ball. This responsibility may not seem like much, but framing the shot is most important for this operator. Our usual operator has perfected the art of framing every shot so that the perspective of the ball to the field of play always gives the viewer the best shot possible of the ball in play. I believe that there are some high home operators in baseball that shoot the action too tight, but that is my opinion. As I have stated before, every Director has his/her own way to televise a baseball game and every one of us is different.
Our main camera 1 operator, now moved to camera 2, did a solid job at high home last night. During the telecast, I commented on the good job being done by camera 2 and suggested that our usual operator may soon become the Wally Pipp of camera 2. (Lou Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games after replacing Wally Pipp at first base.)
The operator of camera 3 (mid-third base) is not our usual camera 3 operator, but this operator is one of the best in the business and he delivered with some crisp shots and many good “looks”.
Our camera 5 (home dugout at low first base) operator is also one of our main replay operators. This operator was working this position because our usual cameraperson at the 5 position was operating camera 7, our robotic camera located on the back stop behind home plate.
The camera 5 position offers some of the most intriguing and exciting shots of the telecast. The shot of a player who just scored and is being congratulated by his teammates provide for some of the most memorable shots of the season. Because this camera must be manually “trucked” back to capture the great dugout shot, wheels are attached to the camera. So, not only must this operator be adept at tilting, panning, and focus, this operator is also physically moving the camera while taking the shot. Another excellent job was delivered but, as noted after the telecast which the home team lost, this operator is now 0 – 1 for the season at camera 5 and a change might have to be made.
Camera 7, the robotic camera had a fiber issue and never made the air.
So, instead of the usual seven coverage cameras, we utilized six, and, instead of our usual seven operators at their normal positions, we had two.
Televising a home baseball game without the robotic camera (Camera 7) requires adjustments to be made by both the Producer (tape isos) and the Director. (Additional responsibilities for the rest of the cameras)
Every member of the TV production team makes split second decisions during the telecast. Imagine how difficult it must be for a member of the team to be making these decisions while maintaining a different position than usual on the telecast.
After we were off the air, the Producer and I were talking about the crew and the great job that they did.
There was a unique situation presented to our TV production crew last night and, when it was all said and done, it was a telecast to be proud of.
Because of a crewing situation, there were only two camera operators manning their usual positions - Camera 4 (centerfield) and camera 6 (tight centerfield).
For our home telecasts, we utilize seven cameras for coverage plus a booth camera for talent.
Camera 1 is located in the left field corner. This position gives a good look into the home dugout. The primary responsibilities of this position include shagging (following) the ball and reaction isos (shots of particular players according to the game situation) Our primary operator at this position has provided our telecasts with many memorable replays and has created many unique shots from this position. Because of the crewing situation, this operator was moved to the high home position. (Camera 2) The individual who operated camera 1 last night is usually one of our main replay operators. During the telecast, this operator took some ribbing from his cohorts in the tape room, but his excellent work on camera 1 made a great contribution to the telecast.
The high home camera (camera 2) is the main “game” camera during a baseball telecast. This is the camera that follows the ball. This responsibility may not seem like much, but framing the shot is most important for this operator. Our usual operator has perfected the art of framing every shot so that the perspective of the ball to the field of play always gives the viewer the best shot possible of the ball in play. I believe that there are some high home operators in baseball that shoot the action too tight, but that is my opinion. As I have stated before, every Director has his/her own way to televise a baseball game and every one of us is different.
Our main camera 1 operator, now moved to camera 2, did a solid job at high home last night. During the telecast, I commented on the good job being done by camera 2 and suggested that our usual operator may soon become the Wally Pipp of camera 2. (Lou Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games after replacing Wally Pipp at first base.)
The operator of camera 3 (mid-third base) is not our usual camera 3 operator, but this operator is one of the best in the business and he delivered with some crisp shots and many good “looks”.
Our camera 5 (home dugout at low first base) operator is also one of our main replay operators. This operator was working this position because our usual cameraperson at the 5 position was operating camera 7, our robotic camera located on the back stop behind home plate.
The camera 5 position offers some of the most intriguing and exciting shots of the telecast. The shot of a player who just scored and is being congratulated by his teammates provide for some of the most memorable shots of the season. Because this camera must be manually “trucked” back to capture the great dugout shot, wheels are attached to the camera. So, not only must this operator be adept at tilting, panning, and focus, this operator is also physically moving the camera while taking the shot. Another excellent job was delivered but, as noted after the telecast which the home team lost, this operator is now 0 – 1 for the season at camera 5 and a change might have to be made.
Camera 7, the robotic camera had a fiber issue and never made the air.
So, instead of the usual seven coverage cameras, we utilized six, and, instead of our usual seven operators at their normal positions, we had two.
Televising a home baseball game without the robotic camera (Camera 7) requires adjustments to be made by both the Producer (tape isos) and the Director. (Additional responsibilities for the rest of the cameras)
Every member of the TV production team makes split second decisions during the telecast. Imagine how difficult it must be for a member of the team to be making these decisions while maintaining a different position than usual on the telecast.
After we were off the air, the Producer and I were talking about the crew and the great job that they did.
There was a unique situation presented to our TV production crew last night and, when it was all said and done, it was a telecast to be proud of.
posted by Cutting The Game at 9:41 AM
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