Sports Broadcasting

Fixed/ Hard Cameras

A camera that is placed on a camera mount in a fixed position (large, require stable platforms)

Handheld Camera

Camera held by camera operator (smaller, portable, easy to position)

Electronic Field Production Camera

Lightweight camcorder (NOT connected to mobile unit, used for news stories and short reports)

Trucking/Rail Camera

Camera that follows motion of object (automated or manually controlled, mounted on rails to synchronize movement, stable, silent, fast-movement)

MobyCam

Type of underwater tracking cam (remotely controlled)

Camera Jib/Crane

Used to move camera to high, medium, and low shots (include camera op riding with it)

Mini POV Camera

Used when space is limited, restricted, or when it is not essential to use a camera operator (usually placed in unusual positions, set in fixed positions or remote controlled, reasonably inexpensive)

Slow Motion/Super Slow Motion Camera

Capture high-quality slow motion images with reduced blurring

Steadicam

Device designed to stabilize a camera (attached to special vest and stabilizing arm worn by camera operator)

Skycam/Cablecam/Sidercam

Cameras that hang from a system of cables over a venue (remote controlled to cover different locations within venue)

Pole Camera

Small camera attached to long pole (pole can be attached to a camera support or belt on operator, very portable jib arm that captures high or low angle shots, can also capture above or below water shots)

Stabilized Camera

Camera equipped with stablization system (gyro, optical stabilizer, digital stabilizer, counterbalance, can be handheld or mounted on vehicles)

Divecam

Allows viewers to follows twist and turns of drive (falls at same rate of diver and follows diver underwater)

Primary Challenge of Sports Television Lighting

Creating natural 3D visual sensations of the action at any position without drawing attention to lighting

Benefits of LED

Reduced energy consumption, greater control over color temp, more visual feel

NBA Color Preference

warmer color temperatures

NHL Color Preferences

colder color temperatures

Timing rule for evaluating outdoor venue lighting conditions

Evaluate venue at exact time of day event will be filmed to properly address sun positions and shadows

IOC minimum general lighting level standard

1,400 lux (130 foot-candles) directed toward main television camera

Lighting Uniformity

Consistency of light levels across the entire field of play to ensure smooth coverage

Super Slow Motion (SSM) Lighting Requirement

requires higher light levels and specialized AC power management to eliminate flickering when captured at high frame rates

Preproduction Lighting

Determining location, power, environmental restraints, developing creative design

Preproduction Implementation

Procuring equipment

Hang and Focus

Physically mounting fixtures on grid structures, aiming them, and placing gels and patterns

Rehearsals

Evaluating shots on camera monitors and making final adjustments

Production

Live broadcast execution phase where lighting operates in synchronization with cameras, audio, and production crew

Photometric Image/Plan

Computer-generated diagram that maps light distribution across field of play

Fiber Optics

Used as accent edge lighting on glass/furniture and as point lights to add texture, depth, and sparkle