Dominic Desantos, center in red shirt, finds the right angle for Camera 1. Below him, audio tech Brian Garfield monitors the levels. In the background, left, camerman Tim Gordon can be seen getting reverse coverage.
Time is not always on your side, but experience and preparation can help change desperation into success. Case in point is the livestreaming job that MTI recently pulled together in less than 36 hours, and two states away.
MTI was hired by Emily Bucci, founder and CEO of Drum Studios, to provide livestreaming production coverage for one of two related events put on by the New Georgia Project. The New Georgia Project is a nonpartisan effort to register and civically engage Georgians. This event, however, was taking place in both Washington, D.C., and at the State House in Charleston, West Virginia.
Acting as the Field Producer, MTI president Dave Lilling had to work quickly to find a livestream technician with the proper equipment to make the job work. He was able to hire Streaming Director Butch Mounts out of Charleston. Butch provided the two LiveU Solo units that the cameras connected to for the simultaneous stream over both Facebook and Youtube.
Tim Gordon lines up a shot on the reverse-angle camera, with help from Assistant Cameraman Will Hoffinger.
Adding to the complications, the event featured not only speeches but musical performances. Several busloads of children came in from the surrounding area.
Counting Down to Showtime
The Charleston event had to be coordinated with the Washington, D.C., rally, which started on the steps of the Supreme Court and then moved to Reflecting Pool on the West Front of the Capitol.
Always Aware of the Details: Field Producer Dave Lilling monitors the livestream.
For about two hours, from about 5 to 6 p.m., the D.C. and Charleston events were broadcast side-by-side. The Charleston event was solo from 6:15 to 7:30 in the evening. Because the start time was 5 o’clock, Dave Lilling had to become a reporter and conduct two interviews with participants in the rally to fill until the event started.
The lead camera, a Sony FX9, was handled by Dominic Desantos. The reverse camera, a Sony FS7, was handled by Tim Gordon. Brian Garfield supplied audio for both cameras and the livestream. Will Hoffinger was the Assistant Cameraman. Of course, all MTI crew are fully vaccinated.
Despite the challenges, the event went off without a hitch. Knowing how to manage time when there’s very little to spare paid off for everyone.
Metro Teleproductions, offering video production in the Washington, D.C., area for 20+ years, is owned and operated by Dave Lilling with creativity, reliability and professional excellence. Contact Dave at 301-608-9077 or dave@mtitv.com for video production success!
