InBroadcast - January 2023 - 28

28
www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 13 - Issue 1 | January 2023
InStudio
Camera Equipment
- Gaining Support
Achieving stable, well-composed pictures is a priority in broadcast
television in both the studio and on location. Camera supports are key
to this and, as Kevin Hilton discovers, have evolved in recent years to
become a crucial element in both sports and virtual production...
C
and
amera support equipment is an
integral part of both filmmaking
production.
broadcast
The
difference between the two
disciplines is that in cinema, rigging
systems for cameras are seen as
much creative tools as necessary
hardware, while in broadcasting
they have largely been regarded as
more a practical necessity. While the
practicality aspect remains, the everincreasing
need to create a specific
look for a programme, combined
with the growing use of virtual
technologies, is changing the way
tripods, cranes and tracking set-ups
are used for television.
Over the last 20-plus years, TV
coverage of sport has come to rely
heavily on both camera technology
and the rigs that give it movement.
New systems have been developed
to bring the viewer closer to the
action, with overhead shots made
possible by wire systems and, more
recently, drones. Stabilised rigs, such
as Steadicam, are now standard for
following the players in a free moving
way.
A leading challenger to the ubiquity
of Steadicam is Easyrig, developer of
the Minimax, Cinema 3 and Vario 5
wearable systems. The company's
Head of Operations, Pontus Jonsson,
confirms that broadcasters are not
only demanding as much movement
as possible from cameras but also
unobtrusive methods of supporting
them. " Being able to move around
freely without hindrance from the
support
systems
is
something
our users value highly, " he says.
" Freedom of movement
is
very
important for most users and we
are seeing a high demand
for
stabilisation for both handheld
cameras and in combination with
gimbals. "
Easyrig also sees its
rigs - and
supports in general - as necessary
in making working with sometimes
heavy cameras as easy as possible,
with the added
While body-worn supports have
made a big impact on TV sports
production, particularly for pre-match
line-up and pitch-side shots, cablebased
aerial camera systems have
added a new dimension to coverage.
Among the leading developers of
this kind of technology is Movicom,
which also produces rail systems,
gyro-stabilised and remote heads
and the high rise Towercam. It also
has a range of speciality camera
systems, including the Refcam and
Earcam wireless wearables for not
only officials but also players or even
fans. " This system has been modified
to be used on hockey helmets, worn
directly by
referees
imperative of
easing the strain of this kind of
work. " People are taking
care of
their bodies at a younger age and
investing in support systems such
as ours, " explains Jonsson. " This is
a great thing because people will be
able to work for longer and not end
the day with a bad back, shoulders or
arms. " Easyrig's most recent product
released, launched in the early weeks
of this year, is a side pouch that can
be fitted on the Minimax vest to hold
batteries or an additional lens.
of basketball
and field hockey games, as well as
being used for rugby and also worn
by fans at basketball games and
players during warm-ups, " comments
Movicom Chief
Executive
aerial
Director of Photography David Paul
with Easyrig Camera 3 system
" It
is
designed with broadcast
studios in mind, in particular working
with
virtual
comments
graphics
extended our flexibility
packages, "
Pakhomov. " We've
to be able
to work in the studio environments
including integrating automated
studio technology. " He adds that
Movicam has carried out tests
to
ensure compatibility
Compass AR (augmented
between its
reality)
tracking technology and the majority
of virtual graphics packages.
" We are seeing a trend in both
Europe and
North America to
Victor
Pakhomov.
Movicom continues to develop its
cable camera systems and
has upgraded both hardware and
software. While Robycam is mainly
associated with outside broadcasts
- and sports production especially -
the most recent version is a purposebuilt
studio
system featuring a
smaller camera dolly and winches.
start adding and innovating with
AR graphics in all aspects of the
broadcast, " Pakhomov
" There is
continues.
also demand for more
innovative camera options that give
viewers access to angles and places
broadcasters have not taken them
to before. It's a balance between
blanket
coverage and
the right view that
audience. "
intrigues
finding
the
Another camera support
manufacturer that is reacting to
Movicom Robycam wire suport systems in use in Studio 1 of Spanish broadcaster RTVE's Prado del Rey headquarters
Movicom's Earcam mini head-worn mount
in use for ESPN coverage

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