Unique (Webster’s Dictionary)
1. Existing as the only one of a kind
2. Having no equal; unparalleled
3. Not typical; unusual
There are special moments throughout a baseball season where something unique happens during a game. A perfect game, a no-hitter, a player hits for the cycle, and a triple play are all examples of a unique event. Moments like these, generated by the baseball game, provide for memorable telecasts and covering these events can be invigorating for the TV crew. Indeed, every Major League Baseball TV production team loves to be the crew and wants to be the crew televising a game with historical meaning.
Can there be anything more enjoyable, more rewarding, than to be a part of a unique event on the baseball diamond?
I believe there is.
Covering a unique situation created by the game itself can be very rewarding, but it is more satisfying when the baseball TV production team uses it’s creativity to produce something unique.
In last night’s telecast, three members of our production team used their creativity to generate memorable moments to the show.
Early in the afternoon, our Producer contacted team officials looking for permission for a unique camera shot. The Producer’s idea was to have a handheld camera follow the starting pitcher from the bullpen to the dugout after his pre-game warm-ups were completed. The bullpen is located in right center field and is a good 300 plus feet from the dugout.
Once permission was granted, the video operator and the camera crew were notified. In order for this shot to be possible, an extra 500 feet of cable was necessary. The camera cable was to be strung down the first base warning track, around the right field corner, to the bullpen entrance in right centerfield. The starting pitcher was scheduled to leave the bullpen for the dugout between 7:00 and 7:05. During this time, players from the home club are doing the last minute stretching and running in the right field area just past the infield. Because the length of the cable run could possibly interfere with the players in their pre-game preparations, we utilized the utility position and another camera operator to “pull” cable as the shot was being taken. Using two people in this capacity not only lessened the chance of interfering with a player, but it also sped up the time it took to coil up the cable after the shot was taken.
This shot was put to a replay machine and was the first shot seen after the last commercial leading into the game. Usually, out of this break, is where we do our “open billboards”. (“Tonight’s game is brought to you by……”) The shot was cued up far enough back that our play by play announcer gave a little intro describing the starting pitcher, the catcher, and the pitching coach as they left the bullpen before leading into the billboards.
This was a unique shot as we had never seen this shot on our telecast before.
The second unique moment in the telecast came in the bottom of the first inning. The second batter of the inning, a left-handed hitter, hit a long home run. Camera 1, located in the left field corner, has many responsibilities with a left-handed batter at the plate. This operator can start with the pitcher and batter in the shot and shag (follow the ball). This operator can bring the batter out of the box and go to the pitcher for a reaction. Or, follow the batter out of the box and go to the dugout for reaction. This operator has a great “feel” for the moment and this “talent” has supplied some of the most memorable, most unique moments of our telecasts.
In this particular situation, the operator followed the batter out of the box and went to the starting pitcher reacting on the bench. This unique shot provided one of the best replays of the season.
Later in the telecast, a member of the home team, in his first at bat since August 26, hit a long home run to tie the game. This was a very special moment for the club and a wonderful moment on the telecast. It really was a “wow” moment. The TV crew covered the home run, ran the replay sequence, and caught the curtain call live. This was a highlight of the season and we nailed it.
One of the aspects of a telecast that really dresses up the telecast is the roll-out. The roll-out is used at the end of an inning recapping an event of that inning and the roll-out is used at the end of the telecast to recap the game.
Instead of just rolling out the video full screen, this video can be altered with different backgrounds to enhance the roll-out.
This is where a third member of our production team used his creativity to create a unique background which enhanced the video and really put a ribbon around the whole package. The roll-out of the “wow” home run was unique and added to the moment.
This member of our team has the most responsibility of any member on the team in providing the “look” to the telecast. This crew member is our Technical Director or TD. Throughout the season, our TD has built some wonderful and unique video roll-out backgrounds that have really enhanced the look of the show.
When the Director gives a command, it is the TD who pushes the proper button on the switcher to complete the command. This position is truly the most challenging on the crew and our TD continually comes through and delivers.
Planning for a unique camera shot, creating a unique shot with a split second decision, and pre-building a unique look all make for a memorable show.
What will be unique about tonight’s telecast?
Watch and find out.