SVG Sit-Down: Vizrt's Per von Rosen on How Viz Libero Certified Training, Viz Libero Free Trial Are Making a Difference The offerings are intended to grow the pool of telestration, analyst pros in sports-content creation By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director Friday, January 17, 2025 - 8:00 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
For decades, the quality of sports production and of broadcasting in general has been advanced by staffers' having an opportunity not only to learn on the job but also to be trained during down time between events. The world has changed a lot in recent years, with budget cuts and time crunches making it difficult both to make a living and to prepare for the future. Vizrt is doing its part with the launch of a Viz Libero Certified Operator course to expand the user base and a Viz Libero free trial. The goal is to expand the pool of talented telestration and analyst professionals for the growing sports-content-creation market. Per von Rosen, head of sports, North America, Vizrt, shares the hows and whys of the program with SVG.
Vizrt's Per von Rosen: With a deeper understanding of what can be created with Viz Libero, operators can make best use of the tools and get creative with the content for various outputs.
A couple months back, Viz launched Viz Libero Free. What has been the response, and who is the audience targeted?
The response to Viz Libero Free has been overwhelmingly positive, both from the active users and from broadcasters. In just three months, we've approved 175 users, with nearly 100 in the first month. It's clear there is an appetite to develop skills in sports analysis, and there is certainly a demand from broadcasters and production to hire qualified operators.
The audience for Viz Libero Free is truly anyone interested in developing their expertise in sports analysis. This mostly falls under freelancers and independent content creators, but it includes students interested in sports production, sports organizations that want to trial the use of analysis, and broadcasters wanting to gain an in-house training program at no extra cost. With Viz Libero, the potential to create more stories widens, which goes hand in hand with the increasing demand for more content on all platforms.
Getting access to a tool is obviously only part of the solution; you also need to learn how to use it. Tell us a bit more about the Viz Libero Certified Operator course, such as how long it is and what it entails?
There are two Viz Libero Certified Operator courses available at Viz University: Basic and Advanced. In-depth training materials and tutorials guided by Vizrt experts are provided in each course, ranging from essential features to more-complex functionalities for a deep understanding of the comprehensive sports-analysis tool.
All Viz Libero courses are free, so anyone interested in sports production can access them. The exam requires a fee, and, if it's successfully passed, operators earn a certification valid for two years. With a deeper understanding of what can be created with Viz Libero, operators can make best use of the tools and get creative with the content for various outputs.
I see there are multiple courses. Are these useful just for the novice, or do you think seasoned operators can benefit from some time at Viz University?
In tech, upskilling is the name of the game: every upgrade to software [brings] the need to become familiar with new features. Viz Libero's updates ensure the sports-analysis tool is responding to the needs of broadcasters, which are influenced by audience behavior as well as a desire to be pioneers and stand out. This is why Viz Libero certifications are valid for two years; we want to ensure that certified operators are familiar with the latest cutting-edge tools in sports analysis. Seasoned operators can seriously benefit from expert training at no extra cost.
What are some of your favorite courses that can help someone take their skills to a new level?
For freelancers, Introduction to Viz Artist and Viz Artist Design are two particularly popular courses at Viz University, although these courses benefit all users interested in graphics design. Viz Artist is an important design tool in the broadcast creative space, and its longevity has rendered the creation of a Viz Artist community. This has informed what we've seen on-screen in news and sports for the past 25 years, so there is no mystery as to why Viz Artist courses are among the most popular.
The industry does have an aging workforce, and there are concerns about finding the next generation of talent. How is the Free program and the training designed to solve that potential crisis? Does your team at Viz see a similar shortage of talent in the marketplace?
There is no shortage of talent in the marketplace. There is a shortage of freely available and current resources for professionals enthusiastic about sports production - especially for those who are not yet in the industry. Supporting this growing community of young professionals is a priority for Vizrt.
Certification is an important step; it helps level the playing field, giving better access to talent and improving their job prospects. An example is that, since Viz Libero's AI tools for photorealistic 3D flights are so fast, an operator can turn around analysis even during the game. This means analysis no longer needs to be consigned to pre- or post-game, and developing skills that respond to the need to create better content faster is key to standing out in the competitive landscape.
It's a difficult market to enter without experience or specific skills, and reducing that gap is essential if we want the best talent to flourish.
