There was a gem thrown by the opposing pitcher tonight.
He threw a one hitter and won the game 3 – 0. The time of the game was 1:55.
As I have noted in earlier blogs, well pitched, fast paced games are a director’s delight. However, being the Director for the back end part of a dual feed, I can assure you that the home Director enjoyed the telecast better than I did. While he was working with a full camera allotment of cameras and tape machines, our telecast dealt with two cameras and three tape machines.
The theory of dual feeds is that game action is covered the same by all TV baseball directors. The ball is hit and the runners are followed. Yes, I do agree, there is basic coverage in any sporting event. So, in a baseball game, for those telecasts in the back end of the dual, when the ball is hit, go to the program feed (the home feed) to cover the play.
No problem.
While this may be true for the most basic plays of a baseball game, a baseball Director makes his “signature” on the telecast before and after the most important happenings on the field. It is the way a television baseball Director “directs” situations before they happen and then ties in the shots after they happen that creates the most memorable moments of a telecast.
Every major league baseball Director cuts base hits in a similar fashion. Every major league baseball Director cuts base hits with runners on base in a similar fashion. But, every major league baseball Director “sets up” situations differently.
Setting up situations creates suspense.
Setting up situations creates memories.
For this major league baseball director, there is nothing more rewarding than setting up (with crisp camera shots) an important situation, and having that situation create a memory.
These are the memories that people talk about. These are the memories that sell tickets. There is nothing better than setting up a situation and having that situation play out.
Unfortunately, with just two cameras and the program feed, setting up situations is nearly impossible and the results of a memorable moment in the telecast are greatly diminished.
The most important aspect of a televised baseball game for the Director is not the “ball in play”. It is what the Director does before and after the “ball in play” that identifies the worth of the Director and heightens the quality of the telecast.
Unfortunately, having two cameras and three tape machines greatly limits a Director in the “setting up” of situations.
I guarantee you, the home Director slept better than I did tonight.