A view inside the NBCSN-Chi television production truck during a Chicago Blackhawks NHL game. (1570)
I’m a big fan of pictures of people doing their jobs. More often than not, the only pictures we have of ourselves and our friends is from those nights drinking at a bar. While those pictures are fun and serve a purpose, it’s nice to have a picture of yourself doing something other then holding a red Solo cup in your hand.
That being said, every now-and-then I grab my camera and take pictures of people doing one of the things they do best — their job. It’s good to show other people that we’re not just another bunch of lushes at a bar, and it’s nice to have a record of you actually working somewhere (you know, make mom proud!).
This picture is from inside the NBC Sportsnet Chicago television truck for a Blackhawks broadcast. Mike Leary is producing this game (closest to the camera) and Dave Turner is the director (wearing the black sweater).
In the simplist terms, Mike will organize interviews, meet with the announcers to ultimately decide what the show’s broadcast may cover (in addition to the game, obviously), and then watch the different cameras while the puck is in play to decide which has the best replay angle to show on television. Dave’s job is to choose which camera angle is the best and watch everything going on to make sure the viewer at home sees what they need to see. Dave and Mike really work well with each other in weaving all of the different variables together to make the broadcast come together smoothly.
Not pictured is David Ross. He is behind the stack of books on the far-right side of the picture. His job is to check the various numbers and stats and help the producer and director get the different graphics built. If it’s a particular players 100th goal, he knows that and has a graphic built to show the viewer at home. If it’s a player’s 1,000 career penalty minute, he knows that too.
Those three travel mostly with the Blackhawks hockey team to keep NBCSN’s hockey broadcasts looking similar each and every game. In each city they’ll also work with various people (like camera guys, replay operators, audio technicians and such) to make sure things get done.
On a typical broadcast from the United Center, NBCSN will employ about 30 people to make it all happen, and each day they’ll all start setting up six hours before he game starts.
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