AMA about TV and Video Production.
Been in the business since 1980. Started at a small market TV Station. Went on to a production company where I learned how to edit in a linear fashion, way before desktop non-linear editing. In this mode you would play back a tape or multiple tapes for dissolves and effects, through a video switcher and audio mixer and send the result to another video recorder.
Currently a multi-camera Director and/or Technical director.
Worked on every type of production you can imagine. Corporate TV, Commercial Editing, Live Sports, Poker Shows, Standup Comedy, Pro Wrestling, Concerts and eSports. Collected multiple Emmys working on 5 Olympics for NBC and ESPN X-Games.
During Covid I worked a lot in Los Angeles since production was shut down in my hometown of Vegas. One of the more interesting projects was the Oprah/Obama interview. To keep to Covid protocols, I was in a control room in Burbank, Oprah was in her own living room, and Obama was on a green screen set in D.C.
Right below the main program screen you can see Oprah by herself and below that and on the right, Obama in his studio.
Here is a teaser for resulting video:
Any questions? Ask away!
16 Replies
What are the major differences between filming live events and filming shows that are scripted and will be edited before release?
What are the major differences between filming live events and filming shows that are scripted and will be edited before release?
Different set of equipment and crew positions. Comparing a game show or nightly talk show with a reality show, most of which are scripted. Games shows are shot "live to tape" although recording is now digital and tape is long gone. They try to shoot them in a manor that requires minimal editing. So with game shows, multiple cameras are fed to a video switcher and line cut live, with that output being recorded. As much as possible video effects and audio mixing are real time during the recording.
Scripted shows may have a single camera up to a couple dozen on a show like Big Brother and they record the output of every camera. They cut the scenes in a non-linear edit system after the actual shoot. Once the video is edited, They also go through an audio sweeten/mixing session and sometimes color correction and effects are added. The production costs are usually cheaper with this method but post-production editing and processing is higher.
Beyond the above are live sporting events and specials where there is no editing and the product is created in real time. They get a bit more complicated as you want a "clean" show which means no apparent technical errors seen by the viewing audience. The video below is one of the best produced that explains most of what it takes to put on a live American Football game and its a pretty massive effort.
why does no one watch LATcommerce? how would you change the production. I think they had 85 live viewers last night, i used to get 300 live viewers for pokersesh! no poker just calls...lol.
Since I worked on the Vegas version of the show, where it had pretty good numbers, and a pretty good production, it is probably not proper or professional for me to discuss this particular show on a public forum. One of these days when we get together for a beer, we can delve into it.
Since I worked on the Vegas version of the show, where it had pretty good numbers, and a pretty good production, it is probably not proper or professional for me to discuss this particular show on a public forum. One of these days when we get together for a beer, we can delve into it.
hahahahha, i tried to get you to spill the tea!!!
Had a busy week working boths sides of the fence.
Directed and switched an Elon Town Hall, in Lancaster PA, to over 9 million live stream views. Places it in the top 10 of all live streamed events.
Directed and switched the last pre-election Democratic Rally in Las Vegas.
I remember hearing a story many years ago (80's) about a group of kids that hijacked the signal of a local tv station in the Chicago area and performed a silly Max Headroom skit for a couple mins before giving the signal back. I don't think they were ever caught either. Do you or your team ever have to worry about this stuff happening nowadays or is technology advanced to the point where it really is not possible?
would you ever transition to producing livestreams for cam models if it paid the same?
I remember hearing a story many years ago (80's) about a group of kids that hijacked the signal of a local tv station in the Chicago area and performed a silly Max Headroom skit for a couple mins before giving the signal back. I don't think they were ever caught either. Do you or your team ever have to worry about this stuff happening nowadays or is technology advanced to the
I remember that and the video of the event is on YouTube. I don't think it's been an issue since. I imagine that if a hacker gained access to a streaming or video over ip device, they could hyjack a broadcast, but I am not aware of it happening yet
Who is the rudest celebrity you encountered during work? Any specific details?
Bryant Gumbel. My first major freelance gig was as an editor at the 1988 Olympics in Korea. Sat in on the early morning production meetings right next to him three days in a row. The first two days I said good morning to him as he sat down, and he didn't say a word back. The third day I didn't bother. I asked his floor director what's up with him. He stated that "Unless Bryant perceives that you have a direct impact on how he looks on the air, he has no time for you."
His brother Greg, was the total opposite. Super friendly and conversive.
Not at this time.
In the '90s I was on a flight from Las Vegas to Burbank. Southwest still had those seats that the faced each other over the window exit. The adult video convention was just breaking and I ended up getting joined by the team from Vivid Video. Sitting with me was the owner of the company and four of his models.
We got into a conversation and finally he asked me what I did. I told him I was a video editor. He asked what type of projects would I be working on. And I told him Olympics, X games and other major events. He laughed and said I've never met a real editor before.
He told me about his editing gear which was top of the line equipment for the time and asked if I'd be interested in editing for him. I told him I would consider it but he would have to ship the footage to me in Vegas and he wasn't willing to do that. He wanted me to work out of his office in LA and I wasn't up for that.
Bryant Gumbel. My first major freelance gig was as an editor at the 1988 Olympics in Korea. Sat in on the early morning production meetings right next to him three days in a row. The first two days I said good morning to him as he sat down, and he didn't say a word back. The third day I didn't bother. I asked his floor director what's up with him. He stated that "Unless Brya
Your career sounds incredible! The shift from linear to non-linear editing must’ve been a big change. The Oprah/Obama interview during Covid sounds fascinating—managing a remote production like that must’ve had its challenges. How did you handle the coordination and ensure everything ran smoothly?
There was great team of broadcast engineers, producers and a strong director to pull it all together.
