Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

First Skating Cameraman In Live TV Broadcast

07/05/2021

First Skating Cameraman In Live TV Broadcast posted: 07/05/2021

CREATING NEW PERSPECTIVES OF DANCING ON ICE WITH A REMOTE-CONTROLLED BROADCAST CAMERA

In the British live TV show Dancing on Ice , a figure skater is skating among the dancers with a Sony HDC-P50 camera and Canon HJ14 lens. This broadcast camera is stabilized and remote-controlled through a NEWTON system and the results are unique in the broadcast world.

DANCING ON ICE

Dancing on Ice is a British television series that features celebrities figure skating with professional skating partners in front of a panel of judges. Each season has 10 shows that airs live on ITV from January to March and each show has around 6 million TV viewers. The series started in 2006 but was cancelled in 2014 and then revived in 2018 with a new TV studio at RAF Bovingdon. With the revival, the production hired Alan Wells Camera Services, which supplies a rail cam along the skating rink and since the 2019 season has helped introduce a new camera angle to the show, the Ice Cam.

THE ICE CAM

The Ice Cam consists of the figure skater Jordan Cowan, wearing a Ready Rig that holds a NEWTON stabilized remote head. The head features a Sony HDC-P50 broadcast camera and a Canon HJ14 lens that is remote controlled by cameraman Dominic Jackson, through the renowned NEWTON control panel at a normal operator's desk.

JORDAN - THE SKATING CAMERA DOLLY

Jordan Cowan is an American figure skater who used to compete in the national team, and since a few years, he is bringing cameras onto the ice to film figure skaters under the name On Ice Perspectives . In mid-2018, Cowan heard through a friend that the producers of the reality show Dancing on Ice in London, UK were looking for a cameraman who could skate. Jordan explains: I contacted the producer and showed them some of my recent video productions. They liked it and hired me for the 2019 season, making me the first ever skating camera operator for a live televised skating show.

DEVELOPING THE ICE CAM

Cameraman Domenic Jackson had operated a Steadicam on Dancing on Ice for several seasons and he used to walk out on the ice, with spike shoes, to shoot links in and out of dance numbers. In October 2018, ITV asked Alan Wells to put together a rig that could move faster on the ice and replace the Steadicam. Alan Wells first thought of a push trolley featuring a remote stabilized camera head but soon abandoned it for a handheld solution. The outside broadcast company Telegenic supplies the cameras and lenses for Dancing on Ice and with their input, the team at Alan Wells customized a Ready Rig so it could control a Sony HDC-P1 camera and Canon HJ14 lens. This was achieved by adding carbon fiber brackets on the Ready Rig so it could hold a NEWTON stabilized remote head, which is rarely used handheld, but that Alan Wells use for broadcast on cable cams and rail systems. Unlike typical handheld gimbals, NEWTON has a control panel that features a standard broadcast setup for camera angle and lens, which is much more suitable for professional TV cameramen.

During the development of the camera rig, the team at Alan Wells had conference calls with Jordan and when he arrived from USA, they could do the final customizing to Jordan's body and arrange the balance of the gear to allow full movement. They also met up with the Dancing on Ice production at the Bovingdon studio, to do tests with camera supervisor Lincoln Abraham and director Nikki Parsons. The final wireless camera rig, the Ice Cam, weighed 15 kg and included an RF system for data communication, a Boxx Link for video, batteries and a monitor so Jordan could see the picture.

Jordan comments the weight:

The rig could be lighter, but NEWTON was the only gimbal that could keep a steady horizon through all the twists and turns at high speeds on the ice, while carrying the standard 4.3-60 mm zoom lens. NEWTON also requires less clearance for the 3-axis motors which, while requiring counterweights, meant I could let the rig hang close to my body and thus keep it close to my center of balance.

AT THE TV PRODUCTION

Dancing on Ice is rehearsed on Saturdays as they do a full camera run-through of all music numbers and this amounts to three rehearsals per dancing couple. Then on Sundays all the links are rehearsed with the presenters and there is a full dress run before the live show at 6 PM.

Since Dominic had been a camera operator on the show for several seasons, he knew the format well but controlling a skating camera was new. He soon realized that he needed line of sight to Jordan so he arranged his control desk so he always could see where the camera was in relation to the dancers. Apart from hearing production talkback, Dominic and Jordan have a radio system that allows them to talk to each other.

Jordan is an experienced skater, so he knows how skaters behave and to read their movement during the show. However, he had only filmed skaters with a DSLR gimbal before and never on a TV set, so he had a steep learning curve about live TV production; Technical sides and terms, to count bars and beats whilst listening to the director, the PA and Dominic, being aware of other cameras, what shots are before and after to keep out of the other cameras. Jordan elaborates: Dominic has been an essential part of the show for me and his experience working with Nikki was invaluable. We work closely together on headset the entire weekend through rehearsals and the show. Dominic taught me everything I needed to know to work in a live multi-camera broadcast situation and taught me how to translate Nikki's shot cards. He's been a great mentor as well and I'm lucky to have learned so much from someone so experienced in live broadcast television.

THE POSITIVE RECEPTION

The new perspective of the Ice Cam was well received by the UK TV viewers and
LINK: https://www.live-production.tv/news/shows/first-skating-cameraman-live...
See more stories from liveproduction

More from Live Production

11/06/2025

Sigma Cine Lens: AIZU PRIME LIME

Sigma Cine Lens: AIZU PRIME LIME posted: 11/06/2025 Sigma Aizu Prime Line, available mounts: PL Mount, Sony E-mount / Supplied accessories: Cover Cine Len...

11/06/2025

SC-BINARY 225: highly flexible AES/EBU & DMX cable

SC-BINARY 225: highly flexible AES/EBU & DMX cable posted: 11/06/2025 SC-BINARY 225: highly flexible AES/EBU & DMX cable with 2 x 0.25 mm and soft HTPE j...

02/04/2025

Leipzig Opera Relies on Riedel MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero

Leipzig Opera Relies on Riedel MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero posted: 02/04/2025 Leipzig Opera Relies on Riedel MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero for Efficient...

02/04/2025

ARRI expands its management team

ARRI expands its management team posted: 02/04/2025 ARRI's Managing Directors (l. to r.) David Bermbach, Walter Trauninger, and Christian Richter ARRI ...

31/03/2025

Clear-Com Enhances ACU Campus-Wide Production Communications

Clear-Com Enhances ACU Campus-Wide Production Communications posted: 31/03/2025 Clear-Coms new intercom solutions make it possible to communicate across m...

20/03/2025

Expand VB440 Tools with AV Sync Generator

Expand VB440 Tools with AV Sync Generator posted: 20/03/2025 Bridge Technologies Expand VB440 Tools with AV Sync Generator In anticipation of their prese...

19/03/2025

World's Smallest Slow-motion Camera at NAB2025

World's Smallest Slow-motion Camera at NAB2025 posted: 19/03/2025 Proton to Launch World's Smallest Slow-motion Camera at NAB2025 Proton Camera I...

31/01/2025

Sommer cable's Ethernet cables set new standards for connection solutions

Sommer cables Ethernet cables set new standards for connection solutions posted: 31/01/2025 When it comes to reliability, robustness and flexibility, the ...

05/12/2024

Riedel Appoints Jan Eveleens as CEO of Product Division

Riedel Appoints Jan Eveleens as CEO of Product Division posted: 05/12/2024 Riedel Communications announced a change in leadership for its Product Division...

30/10/2024

Armored HDMI2.1 cables offer lossless 8K data transmission - with or without protective sleeve for the HDMI connectors

Armored HDMI2.1 cables offer lossless 8K data transmission - with or without pro...

17/10/2024

Genelec opens new Seoul Experience Centre

Genelec opens new Seoul Experience Centre posted: 17/10/2024 Seoul, South Korea, October 2024....Genelec has added Seoul to its growing global network of ...

08/10/2024

Sommer cable announces new management team

Sommer cable announces new management team posted: 08/10/2024 Sommer cable GmbH is pleased to announce the succession in the management team. On October 1...

09/09/2024

Bridge Technologies Launch Upgraded Satellite Module VB278

Bridge Technologies Launch Upgraded Satellite Module VB278 posted: 09/09/2024 Bridge Technologies Launch Upgraded Satellite Module VB278 As part of a wid...

21/08/2024

Calrec expands distribution partnership with Cerberus Media Solutions to cover entire DACH region

Calrec expands distribution partnership with Cerberus Media Solutions to cover e...

16/08/2024

Anton/Bauer Launches 'VCLX LI' 1600Wh Multi-Voltage Battery for Cinematic Production

Anton/Bauer Launches VCLX LI 1600Wh Multi-Voltage Battery for Cinematic Producti...

04/07/2024

Astera Awarded Best in Show at Euro Cine Expo 2024

Astera Awarded Best in Show at Euro Cine Expo 2024 posted: 04/07/2024 Best of Show award for Asteras LunaBulb After a successful exhibition at Euro Cine ...

13/06/2024

Astera Launches LunaBulb

Astera Launches LunaBulb posted: 13/06/2024 Astera LunaBulb PrepCaseKit Astera - a leading developer of innovative light solutions for film, event and TV...

02/05/2024

ARRI announces the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System

ARRI announces the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System posted: 02/05/2024 Arri Alexa 35 Live - Multicam System ARRI announces the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam Sy...

28/04/2024

Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with URSA Broadcast G2

Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with U...

10/04/2024

Grass Valley will Showcase Innovative Live Production Solutions at NAB Show 2024

Grass Valley will Showcase Innovative Live Production Solutions at NAB Show 2024 posted: 10/04/2024 Grass Valleys LDX C150 Grass Valley will unveil its ...

11/03/2024

Goldenduck Group Debuts Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station in Thailand with Lightsource and Creative Rock

Goldenduck Group Debuts Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station in Thailand with Light...

23/01/2024

Broadcast Solutions supports NEP Germany and Dyn Media in the installation of innovative remote production infrastructure

Broadcast Solutions supports NEP Germany and Dyn Media in the installation of in...

09/01/2024

A Norwegian post-production house relies on Genelec monitors to meet Dolby Atmos standards

A Norwegian post-production house relies on Genelec monitors to meet Dolby Atmos...

29/12/2023

Pan and Parapan American Games 2023 Live: TVU Networks Partners with MediaLuso

Pan and Parapan American Games 2023 Live: TVU Networks Partners with MediaLuso posted: 29/12/2023 Tennis Pan American Games 2023 with TVU and MediaPro TVU ...

11/12/2023

VuFinder Studios selects ROE Visual for its VP Studio

VuFinder Studios selects ROE Visual for its VP Studio posted: 11/12/2023 Filming Citro n promotion video with BP2V2 in VuFinder Studio VuFinder Studios j...

05/12/2023

EY recognises Genelec owners with Family Entrepreneurs of the Year Award

EY recognises Genelec owners with Family Entrepreneurs of the Year Award posted: 05/12/2023 (L-R) Genelec owners Maria, Mikko and Juho Martikainen at the ...

01/12/2023

UHD-Spain, with Board Members MediaPro and SAPEC, Partners with TVU Networks and Radio 3 for Pioneering 5G UHD-HDR Broadcast

UHD-Spain, with Board Members MediaPro and SAPEC, Partners with TVU Networks and...

27/11/2023

ROE Visual introducing the ROE Calculator APP for LED Screen Prepping

ROE Visual introducing the ROE Calculator APP for LED Screen Prepping posted: 27/11/2023 ROE Visual Calculator APP ROE Visual is proud to announce the re...

22/11/2023

A1 Telekom Austria Group Expands its Use of Actus Digital Broadcast Compliance and Monitoring Solution

A1 Telekom Austria Group Expands its Use of Actus Digital Broadcast Compliance a...

20/11/2023

New era in sports broadcasting: 5G live transmission by the German Football League

New era in sports broadcasting: 5G live transmission by the German Football Leag...

16/11/2023

AJA Announces DRM2 Frame for AJA Mini-Converters at Inter BEE 2023

AJA Announces DRM2 Frame for AJA Mini-Converters at Inter BEE 2023 posted: 16/11/2023 AJA Video Systems yesterday introduced DRM2, a rackmount frame that ...

14/11/2023

PlayBox Neo AirBox Neo-20 Goes Live at Casablanca Online

PlayBox Neo AirBox Neo-20 Goes Live at Casablanca Online posted: 14/11/2023 PlayBox Neo, a global leader in media management and playout solutions, announ...

09/11/2023

A Stand-Up Solution for Comedian Johan Glans

A Stand-Up Solution for Comedian Johan Glans posted: 09/11/2023 The summer tour Johan Glans delivered 35 sold out shows across Sweden powered by a seamless ...

03/11/2023

DiGiCo and Fourier Audio Set to Transform Live Sound

DiGiCo and Fourier Audio Set to Transform Live Sound posted: 03/11/2023 Building upon the announcement from earlier October that it has joined forces with...

30/10/2023

Genelec joins forces with Broadcast Professional to strengthen APAC distribution network

Genelec joins forces with Broadcast Professional to strengthen APAC distribution...

26/10/2023

PHI Centre uses Genelec immersive solutions to bring artists and audiences closer together

PHI Centre uses Genelec immersive solutions to bring artists and audiences close...

19/10/2023

TVU Networks Elevates FISA World University Games' Live Broadcast with Fully Integrated Cloud-Based REMI Solution

TVU Networks Elevates FISA World University Games' Live Broadcast with Fully...

17/10/2023

Astora Digital Builds HDR, Virtual Production Workflow Expertise in China with Help from AJA ColorBox

Astora Digital Builds HDR, Virtual Production Workflow Expertise in China with H...

08/10/2023

Genelec helps Israel's Dubidub Studios create immersive Dream Room

Genelec helps Israel's Dubidub Studios create immersive Dream Room posted: 08/10/2023 Dubidub's CEO Ami Offir pictured in the company's 7.1.4 ...

02/10/2023

The New LDX C150 Compact Version of the Next-Gen LDX 150 Studio Camera Platform, Easing the HD/UHD-SDI to NativeIP/SMPTE 2110 Transition

The New LDX C150 Compact Version of the Next-Gen LDX 150 Studio Camera Platform,...

28/09/2023

Shure Announces Agreement to Acquire Ab Wavemark Oy

Shure Announces Agreement to Acquire Ab Wavemark Oy posted: 28/09/2023 Wavetool A2 iPad Racks ADX Medium Horizontal Shure has announced that an agreement...

25/09/2023

MediaKind Advances Video Streaming and Monetization

MediaKind Advances Video Streaming and Monetization posted: 25/09/2023 MediaKind (#1.D25) is taking center stage at the IBC Show 2023 (September 15-18), sho...

21/09/2023

Rohde & Schwarz and Qualcomm demonstrate 5G Broadcast ecosystem readiness

Rohde & Schwarz and Qualcomm demonstrate 5G Broadcast ecosystem readiness posted: 21/09/2023 Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in broadcast distribution, wil...

19/09/2023

DHD Enhances XD3 IP Core with High Capacity Quad-Core CPU

DHD Enhances XD3 IP Core with High Capacity Quad-Core CPU posted: 19/09/2023 Rear panel of DHD XD3 IP Core DHD audio has chosen IBC 2023 as the venue for...

15/09/2023

DiGiCo brings new Quantum852 powerhouse to PLASA Show 2023

DiGiCo brings new Quantum852 powerhouse to PLASA Show 2023 posted: 15/09/2023 DiGiCo presents the next generation of large format mixing consoles for live...

14/09/2023

Unprecedented Freedom and Flexibility for Live Content Creation and Delivery: Grass Valley's Transformative GV Media Universe at the IBC 2023 Show

Unprecedented Freedom and Flexibility for Live Content Creation and Delivery: Grass Valley's Transformative GV Media Universe at the IBC 2023 Show posted:...

13/09/2023

Genelec to launch UNIO Audio Monitoring Platform and 9320A Reference Controller at IBC

Genelec to launch UNIO Audio Monitoring Platform and 9320A Reference Controller ...

12/09/2023

Remote collaboration fully realized with ELEMENTS Cloud Workspaces

Remote collaboration fully realized with ELEMENTS Cloud Workspaces posted: 12/09/2023 High-performance media storage specialist ELEMENTS will use its presen...

06/09/2023

Slomo.tv's new Simple R 4K - The world's most compact and affordable server for 4K replays

Slomo.tvs new Simple R 4K - The worlds most compact and affordable server for 4K...