• Program feed

    In the YouTube link below you will see a program feed from the 2024 MAC Basketball Tournament. This was a multi-camera shoot with 5 manned cameras, as well as 4 robotic cameras. As you watch this clip, notice how the director uses the different cameras to help tell a story and show game action. See the different framing techniques used by the camera operators, too. When the program uses a replay, see what angles they use to show the highlighted play.

    • Camera 1 – Game Follow

      • A wide shot that will provide general coverage of the gameplay.
      • This camera is on-air a majority of the time, so always assume you have a tally or are about to have a tally.
      • Smooth pans from left to right to follow action, as well as slow zooms in and out to reduce the amount of wasted space.
      • When a team is setting up on offense, you want to have the basket to one side of your frame and the last offensive player on the opposite site.
      • The following clip is an isolated recording of the Game Follow camera.

    • Camera 2 – Tight Follow

      • Tight head-to-toe shot of the player with the ball and the closest defender.  Will follow the player at fault after a foul.  Will also stay with the scoring player after a basket, or the defender after a stop.
      • Responsible for following the players off the court during a substitution.
      • Also used for tight shots when highlighting what the commentators are talking about.
      • The following clip is an isolated recording of the Tight Follow camera.

    • Camera 3 & 4 – Handhelds

      • Follows action head to toe on the player with the ball.  Especially important on the side closest to them.
      • Rarely used during live action, but one of the main looks used for replays.
      • Provides the best look at action taking place under the basket.  Also used to get a close up shot of the player taking a foul shot, typically from the waist up.
      • Also used to get crowd shots when needed.
      • Responsible for bringing players on to the court during a substitution.
      • When shooting the action, it’s important to stay wide enough to see the baselines for potential out-of-bounds infractions (especially for official replays).
      • Could be used for announcers on-camera during the open of the show (or halftime, postgame).
      • Could also be used for sideline reporters to be on-camera, when applicable.
      • The following clips are isolated recordings of both Hand Held cameras. Especially take note that the operators are not taking time off when the players are on the opposite side of the court. They are still shooting and providing valuable replays and highlights for the production.

    • Camera 5 – Slash

      • Usually positioned on a mid level concourse, between the floor level and the camera 1&2 position, at an angle of the court (one of the corners)
      • Typically framed similar to game follow during action.  During stoppage in play, will find a close up of the hero, coach, or other appropriate player.
      • Also responsible for shooting wide beauty shots.
      • The following clip is an isolated recording of the slash camera.

    Written by: Victor Presley

Victor has been working in the broadcast industry since 2005.  He has been in the engineering department since 2010, and has been Classic Teleproductions’ Chief Engineer since 2013.