Camera footage

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(Individual start races)
(Camera footage best practise)
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These best practise tips are a starting point for discussions at the TV workshop in Sweden February 10th-11th.  
These best practise tips are a starting point for discussions at the TV workshop in Sweden February 10th-11th.  
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==== General remarks ====
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==== Layout of TV splits - Best strategies ====
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General remarks about best practice for camera footage:
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* Follow the athletes for minimum 30-40 seconds for each spot
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* Variation of camera angles if possible - mix in close-up of runners whenever possible. Use picture-to-picture transitions and avoid panning when possible. Avoid filming athletes from the back.
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* Try to give feeling of high speed of runners if possible (But: Show the runners in their natural element and give a "correct" picture of the terrain - can also show them in slower speed)
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* For forest races, significant parts of the footage should ideally be in the forest if possible.
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* Use different terrain characteristics for the different TV control locations if possible: Easier for the viewer to see the difference, and also makes the broadcast more diverse. Mix of open forest / dense forest is good
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* Always show graphics with place/name of location (e.g. "Intermediate 4.5 km") and also athlete name with running time (which stops at TV split). See section [[Graphics]] for more about the graphics.
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* An absolute minimum of 2 cameras needed at each location, typically should have at least 3 cameras at each location
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==== Number of TV splits ====
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* For an interval-start race, usually split the race in three close-to-equal parts and have 2 split times (For middle distance TV split 1 at 10-15 minutes and TV split 2 at around 25 minutes)
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===== Individual start races =====
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* For individual start races (sprint / middle) it should usually be enough with 4 camera footage locations in the course: start, finish + 2 TV splits to make it possible for the viewer to understand what is happening (WOC 2011 sprint had 6 locations).
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* If more cameras are to be added for an individual start race, increase the duration a runner is shown at each of the locations (e.g. start - 1st control instead of only start or pre-warning-last control-finish instead of only last control to finish).  
* If more cameras are to be added for an individual start race, increase the duration a runner is shown at each of the locations (e.g. start - 1st control instead of only start or pre-warning-last control-finish instead of only last control to finish).  
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* Of the 2 TV splits, one may be at an arena passage/spectator control, but it is not necessary for the story-telling. Position to choose is a trade-off between good footage / showing spectators / possible camera locations.
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* For each TV-split, control-to-control philosophy ; show at least 2 controls for each split. Need 2-3 cameras (but more is better). Need a good camera workflow - different camera angles. One camera on a tripod in an open field to give you 50 seconds split is cheap but gives boring TV. No speed, no emotion.
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* For a full production of a long distance race, at least one more location should be added - ideally two.  
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* The duration for each TV-split should be long enough for the commentator to talk about the runner - at least 30-40 seconds. It can be longer, but then you should not use the complete split for all runners, only for the last. Also, exit time after the split time stops must be around 10 seconds to make sure the commentator has time to talk about the time. Use picture-to-picture transitions and avoid panning when possible. Avoid filming athletes from the back.
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* Need easy visual identification of each TV split, i.e. distinctly different look for the two TV splits to make sure the viewers know which split time they see at once.
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* Important that the terrain footage gives a true description of the terrain ; the right forest look, right speed etc. (E.g. don’t use a steep hill as TV-control if this is the only hill in the race - then it is not representative). E.g. one fast area and one “from open to dense” area.  Not sure if it is good to only show the runners fast (as some producers / orienteers seem to think)
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* Always show graphics with place/name of location (e.g. "Intermediate 4.5 km") and also athlete name with running time (which stops at TV split). See section [[Graphics]] for more about the graphics.
* Note the need for split 60-90 seconds ahead of the first TV control, i.e. a short leg needed to get a pre-warning for camera. In addition spotters with orienteering/athlete knowledge and audio-contact with camera-man  
* Note the need for split 60-90 seconds ahead of the first TV control, i.e. a short leg needed to get a pre-warning for camera. In addition spotters with orienteering/athlete knowledge and audio-contact with camera-man  
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==== Examples ====
Example which worked well: [[WOC 2008 Sprint]]
Example which worked well: [[WOC 2008 Sprint]]
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==== Examples of good locations/footage ====
==== Examples of good locations/footage ====
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Here some examples of interesting footage should be given. For now only one example is given.
 
* Handheld camera World Cup Middle Liberec 2011
* Handheld camera World Cup Middle Liberec 2011
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Generally, the long clips in open forest with 3-4 cameras and varying camera angle work very well.
Generally, the long clips in open forest with 3-4 cameras and varying camera angle work very well.
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== Camera footage categorization ==
== Camera footage categorization ==

Revision as of 23:33, 29 March 2012

Contents

Camera footage

This section covers aspects related to camera footage in orienteering TV productions. Focus is on items which are specific for orienteering broadcasts.

A section discussion "Best practise" has been set up. This section will evolve during the project based on input from different sources. The best practise section is thought to give some input for a future production manual for orienteering TV productions.

Other items:

Note! Camera footage is also linked to Competition formats, Spreading methods and Storytelling.

Camera footage best practise

These best practise tips are a starting point for discussions at the TV workshop in Sweden February 10th-11th.

Layout of TV splits - Best strategies

  • For an interval-start race, usually split the race in three close-to-equal parts and have 2 split times (For middle distance TV split 1 at 10-15 minutes and TV split 2 at around 25 minutes)
  • If more cameras are to be added for an individual start race, increase the duration a runner is shown at each of the locations (e.g. start - 1st control instead of only start or pre-warning-last control-finish instead of only last control to finish).
  • For each TV-split, control-to-control philosophy ; show at least 2 controls for each split. Need 2-3 cameras (but more is better). Need a good camera workflow - different camera angles. One camera on a tripod in an open field to give you 50 seconds split is cheap but gives boring TV. No speed, no emotion.
  • The duration for each TV-split should be long enough for the commentator to talk about the runner - at least 30-40 seconds. It can be longer, but then you should not use the complete split for all runners, only for the last. Also, exit time after the split time stops must be around 10 seconds to make sure the commentator has time to talk about the time. Use picture-to-picture transitions and avoid panning when possible. Avoid filming athletes from the back.
  • Need easy visual identification of each TV split, i.e. distinctly different look for the two TV splits to make sure the viewers know which split time they see at once.
  • Important that the terrain footage gives a true description of the terrain ; the right forest look, right speed etc. (E.g. don’t use a steep hill as TV-control if this is the only hill in the race - then it is not representative). E.g. one fast area and one “from open to dense” area. Not sure if it is good to only show the runners fast (as some producers / orienteers seem to think)
  • Always show graphics with place/name of location (e.g. "Intermediate 4.5 km") and also athlete name with running time (which stops at TV split). See section Graphics for more about the graphics.
  • Note the need for split 60-90 seconds ahead of the first TV control, i.e. a short leg needed to get a pre-warning for camera. In addition spotters with orienteering/athlete knowledge and audio-contact with camera-man

Examples

Example which worked well: WOC 2008 Sprint

woc2010middlefinalmen_s.jpg

First-to-finish races
  • For a first-to-finish races (chasing start / mass start / relay), more locations must be added, and thus also less cameras for each location.
  • As a compromise runners will then often have to be shown shorter at each location. Some more panning, maybe even show runners from behind at times (compromise must be considered)
  • Typically a minimum of 5-6 locations and 1-3 cameras at each location.

Example WOC 2008 Relay. This worked very well for the first and last part, but there was a break for nearly 25 minutes in the middle. woc2008-relay_tv_s.jpg

Examples of good locations/footage

  • Handheld camera World Cup Middle Liberec 2011

Generally, the long clips in open forest with 3-4 cameras and varying camera angle work very well.

Camera footage categorization

Typically, camera footage is shown from 3-6 location in a broadcast. In the current project one aim is to look at camera footage from previous TV productions from orienteering and categorize them according to a number of objective criteria (see below). In addition, exceptionally good camera locations/footage is to be identified (based on more subjective criteria) in order to highlight which locations work better than others.

Each camera footage location in a broadcast should be identified according to

  • Position in course (in time from start, km from start, control number, marked on map)
  • Duration each runner is typically shown (in seconds)


Technical camera solutions

TBD: List and discuss technical camera solutions. E.g. crane etc. Why they are useful, when to apply, examples of when they have been used.

Camera positioning

This project does not plan to focus on camera positioning, but some general remarks are included for now.

  • Camera positioning and general guidelines on what to show for start and finish could/should be agreed on. For instance for the start: First wide angle shot (whole start box) and then close up with a runner and graphic layout. Same at finish, first wide angle shot and close up when the runner crosses the finish line.

From the IOF Arena Production Presentation: creating_tv_section_s.jpg

camera-planning_s.jpg

What do you think? Please add your opinion as a comment below.

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