Live From the NFL Draft: Vendors Unite To Serve ESPN, NFL Media, Stadium Shows Azzurro, BSI, CAT Entertainment Services, Filmwerks, Fletcher, Illumination Dynamics, and VWSE Productions were onsite By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Monday, April 30, 2018 - 3:13 pm
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An army of technology vendors and service providers was on hand at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, last week to help support ESPN's and NFL Media's massive productions, as well as the in-venue videoboard and NFL Fan Experience productions. Here is a look at what some of these vendors provided at this year's Draft. Also, check out SVG's coverage of truck providers Game Creek Video and NEP at the Draft.
Azzurro Provides TeamCams for NFL Media, Pop Up Studio for ESPN
Azzurro had a sizable presence for both ESPN and NFL Network.
NFL Media relied on five Azzurro TeamCam systems at the NFL Draft to send a variety of content to its broadcast center in Culver City, CA.
ESPN took the new Golic and Wingo morning radio/TV simulcast show on the road once again, leveraging Azzurro's Pop Up Studio. For the show broadcasting live Thursday and Friday from a set just down the street from AT&T Stadium, Azzurro's Pop Up Studio essentially served as a truck in a suitcase solution that allowed ESPN to produce the entire show without having to roll up a production truck. ESPN discretely transmitted the three PTZ cameras from the set to its Bristol, CT, broadcast facility via public internet. The cameras were all controlled and shaded in Bristol, where the show was integrated.
In addition, NFL Media relied on five Azzurro TeamCam systems to send content to its Culver City, CA, broadcast center for its news coverage and onsite NFL Digital operation. TeamCam systems were used for NFL Network's news position in a stadium suite (delivering live hits throughout the week), for #NFLBlitz red-carpet coverage, podcasts produced at the stadium, draftee interviews for NFL Now Live streamed during the Draft, and beauty shots and additional content.
Azzurro Director, Operations, John Bonaccorso notes that NFL Media had eight TeamCams at Super Bowl and they also use them for training camps, private events, a lot of other events. Everything is built-in, so you can carry this on a plane, throw it in the overhead, and you're ready to go.
BSI Runs the RF Show in Arlington
The NFL Draft is traditionally heavy on wireless cameras, and, this year, BSI, via its One Off 2 truck, provided all RF cameras and microphones and RF coordination for both ESPN and NFL Media.
The NFL Draft is always an RF-heavy event and BSI was once again on hand to provide all wireless camera and microphones
NFL Network deployed six BSI RF cameras: three RF handhelds, two Steadicams, and a jib, while NFL Digital had a dedicated RF handheld and a RF Sony F55 4K camera. BSI also supplied four wireless mics for NFL Media and multiple return vision monitors for talent and IFB and PL comms.
For ESPN, BSI provided two RF handheld cameras, two Steadicams, and RF functionality for the network's outdoor SupraCam two-point aerial system and the new DigiBoom gimbal-stabilized camera rig. ESPN also used three BSI wireless mics and multiple return monitors for talent and IFB and PL comms.
We've put the three sites out here - one here at our truck, one over on a lift in the corner, and one right in the red-carpet area - which gives us a really good sort of triangulation of the whole area, said Clay Underwood, director of business development, BSI, during the event. All of our cameras, wireless microphones, and return video can just roam throughout that whole area unbroken.
CAT Entertainment Services Powers Compound, NFL Draft Experience
CES supplied power for ESPN's portion of the compound (NEP EN1 and Game Creek Video Maverick), as well as for C3 Presents (NEP ND7), which produced the onsite event. In addition, CES powered the various activations at the NFL Draft Experience outside AT&T Stadium.
LD Morrison and one of four 500-kW generators provided by Cat Entertainment Services for ESPN
CES had four 500-kW generators running in parallel to power ESPN's production truck and a pair of 500-kW systems for sets and staging inside the stadium.
This the first Draft I have done in 10 years, and it's amazing to see how much it has grown, said CES tech LD Morrison. It's not just a twin-pack [generator] show anymore. It's bigger than the Super Bowl. We do a lot of big shows that are similar to this in size, but the way this one's laid out is very different. It's compartmentalized to a certain extent, which makes it unique for sure.
Filmwerks Rolls Out Climate-Controlled Exterior Set For NFL Network
Filmwerks built NFL Network's 40- x 40-ft. enclosed, climate-controlled exterior set, introducing a front glass system that could be opened or closed depending on the weather. It was able to open and close in five minutes.
Filmwerks's NFL Network exterior set had windows that could open and close in just five minutes. They were closed on a rainy Wednesday and open during beautiful weather throughout the Draft.
Filmwerks also provided NFL Network's broadcast power, which was all backed up by an onsite UPS system. A UPS also supported the network's exterior set.
Working with the NFL Network, C3 [Presents], and the stadium was an excellent experience, said David Fioravanti, director, Specialty Structures Division, Filmwerks.
With business continuing to grow, Filmwerks is opening a fully operational West Coast office with staff, structures, power, and field sets this year. We are very excited about stepping up our presence on the West Coast, he notes.
Fletcher Deploys Trio of Robos for ESPN
Fletcher was back at the Draft, providing a trio of robotic cameras for ESPN. All t
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Live From the NFL Draft: Vendors Unite To Serve ESPN, NFL Media, Stadium Shows Azzurro, BSI, CAT Entertainment Services, Filmwerks, Fletcher, Illumination Dynamics, and VWSE Productions were onsite By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
