Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Halifax Mooseheads, Live TV Broadcast

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes of live hockey broadcast. The Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League have some of their games broadcasted live on a local TV station, Eastlink TV. Through some connections I was able to get behind the scenes and see what happens.
Halifax Metro Centre 
The staff typically arrive 5-7 hours before puck drops to get all the equipment set up.

Just like a TV show there is a script. It includes commercial breaks, sponsors, interview lineups, what graphics need to pop up on the screen, and so much more. Before the players head out for warm-up, the script for the game is gone over making sure that every person on staff knows where they should be at all times and what they will be doing.
Beer league game going on 

Then, game time. A live broadcast from the mobile truck is cramped, warm, and full of excitement. There can be between 5-15 cameras used for a game and monitored. The producer monitors the cameras and selects which one to use during the live action. It can get pretty dramatic in there, especially if a cameraman doesn't focus on the right player or incident! 
Where the commentators sit

It was a great experience being able to see how much effort goes into broadcasting just one live hockey game. Everyone at Eastlink TV was very professional and so helpful. Now I need to get behind the scenes of the CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

Mooseheads are currently in the first round of playoffs against the Montreal Junior. Mooseheads are down 2-0 heading into Game 3 tonight in Halifax. I got tickets for Game 4 on Wednesday.

Where all the magic happens 

Inside the broadcast truck


Attendance 5,783. Mooseheads win 2-1

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