Smoke & Mirrors

TV Magic

Engineer in Charge Ian Osher oversees all the technical Madness

Ever wonder how this TV stuff happens?  ya, me too.   It's really just a lot of smoke and mirrors.  While most of my work in The States takes place on site at some arena du jour.
This is a completely different animal.  On these international shows, there is usually a host broadcaster that produces each game and sends the signal to the IBC, where it is distributed to any countries who pay for it. Here, as in past World Cups and numerous other world sporting events, the company contracted to operate as the host broadcaster is appropriately named Host Broadcast Services- wow, how original!

not really anything like our control room, but we like to think so.

At the IBC ( that reminds me, I could really use Root Beer right now), we take in the HBS Program feed and brand it as our own. Basically, we are the Middle Man.  Let's start at the beginning,,,, our transmission guys, Matt and Emory, oversee all the intake and output of signals. Feeds come in from each stadium along with Feeds to and from ESPN HQ in Bristol, Ct. The video then goes to our A unit, where Teri punches buttons on the Sony 8000G switcher to cut to our Big Blue roving studio or some pre-taped scenic shots we play out. Shaun and Karen's graphics are inserted here, everything from Starting Linups graphics to a lower third player bio. Fluff and Leonard mix the audio with some really fancy gear with real fancy lights and things.  I'm editing highlights and video bumps to break, while my left hand man, Erick is the captain of all playback elements. Shaw and Jorge keep us on track working with Producers, PAs and deciphering the constantly changing Show Format (basically, our Set List).  Many others contribute to make this happen, but that will come in future blogs.  More later, with more names, more technical terms and more useless trivia to impress your friends.

Some our crew's favorite German words-  Schnitzel, Garefrekes, Flughafen, and of course,  Einfahrt, and Ausfahrt...because we all have an adolescent side! 




so now that we have degenerated to potty humor........once again, our restrooms are equipped with soccer goal urinal targets, each has a 1/2 inch plastic ball tethered with fishing line. Who knew how much fun a trip to the loo could be?
I scored 17 goals after my morning coffee!








Daily Shout Outs:
Welcome back to the viewing audience young Pam and the Family Holt from Beaverton.  We had a weird, around-the-world vibe thing going yesterday with simultaneous e-mails.
Hello to Jay from Silverton. We'll have a 'house-warming' party sometime in Aug, so everyone can come see your remodeling work.
Hey Carlos...no Party Bus here. I'll keep lookin.
Jon, I'll keep my eyes open for the Biel Haus. Meet ya at the Goose on some Saturday, you can borrow my Friday.
Sam, I apologize if the internet passed my cold on to you through the blog. get well soon.

I need some help for Today's Daily Doppleganger DoubleShot.
Christine Sinclair played valiantly in Canada's 4-0 loss to France.  Despite a broken nose, she played through the pain with a protective mask.
It seems she now has more than one Doppleganger.  What's your vote? or, do you have other suggestions?  you can respond in the comments line below.

Bike Freitag und Dopplegangers

a view to the East on my morning commute.

Guten something, my friends.




Besides a gazillion trains, Frankfurt is also all about bicycles. Maybe 2.4 gazillion of 'em.  Again, I can't help but draw comparisons to Portland and Minneapolis.

Achtung! No standing on your bike!

Bike stuff is everywhere: Bike paths, Bike stoplights, bike lanes, bike rentals, bike signage and even a separate bike entrance at the stadium parking lot.  This is the reason I brought my own bike as a form of transportation   Yep, that's right.  I week before I left, I bought a Bike Friday.  Who? What,? you haven't heard of them?  Well, Based in the cycle-mecca of Eugene Or, they produce folding bikes designed to travel the world.  It comes with it's own Samsonite suitcase that converts to a trailer.  It's the kind of all-purpose bike that MacGyver would ride. Thanks to my 'cycle counselors' Ken Johnson and Uncle Rob for helping me pull the trigger on this purchase. I can't wait to ride with you.

I have been feeling better these last few days, so I have been able to ride. It's a refreshing 20 minute pedal to the stadium, compared to the train ride of 10 mins plus a 10 min walk. (um, I was told there would be no math...)  With these long work days, this is the only chance I have for exercise.  As an added bonus, I get to see, smell and feel part of the city!

 With Brasil besting Australia 1-0 and Norway fending off Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Group D, we cycle back to Group A tomorrow with Canada playing France at 9aPT. It is reported that there is a 60% chance that Christine Sinclair will not play due to a broken nose suffered in the Germany match.  Later, at 11:45a, Nigeria takes on Germany at the stadium right next door to our TV compound.

I'm sure ALL of you Equitorial Guinea fans are very disappointed. But, don't despair! You made the Ipswich Town Stat of The day.
Equatorial Guinea is the only African county to speak Spanish as their first language.
Ian better start listening to his Rosetta Stone CDs



In what is quickly becoming a staple of the RRRblog, Today's Doppelganger DoubleShot features our PA Jorge. (who, we have decided, is much funnier than last year.) We think he stole his haircut from Australia's Sally Shipard. We even appreciate the 'pufffed cheek' expression to perfectly reveal the similarities.

Jackie continues to encourage us to a higher level of professional achievement.  Someday, everyone will have an inspirational poster like this in their office that will help them achieve greatness.

Throughout this month, as in any international event, there are countless language translation issues in the day to day stuff- many of them resulting in my own embarrassment.  Here is one example that you might remember the 2006 blogs. You must stop everything you are doing and watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmOTpIVxji8

US clear, no present danger.

The BEST Audio Mixer in the biz, Chris 'Fluff' Allan,  has a new title.

 Hi there! me again. (I'll slow down soon, I promise!)

I would like to offer a public apology for that Karla Bonoff reference yesterday.  Every once in a while, I will freely admit to being a fan of cheesy 80’s music, but ‘Personally’ was not even in my top 1000.... ever! It could have been worse, at least I didn’t mention Hasselhoff!

 Congrats to the US Women!   After a disappointing first half Manager Pia Sundhage's decision to start Cheney was validated perfectly with the first goal- a brilliant cross form Abby Wambach to Cheney who headed the ball back against the play to the far post. big sigh.

 Later, defender Rachel Buehler seized the opportunity as the ball squirted loose in the box.  She powered it through the crowd of North Korean defenders for a 2-0 victory.  A great way to start the tournament!  Next up for our ladies:  Colombia, who lost to Sweden 1-0 in the their first ever World Cup appearance.

In the big picture, we are here in Frankfurt at the International Broadcaster Center (heretofore to be known as The IBC) . We operate as the "Master Control" and studio production control room. Everything you see this month comes from or through us. As a teaser to my soon-to-be-blogged Behind the Scenes rambling, our crack research crew has scoured the breadth of the interwebs to bring you this story about our mobile studio. Our man DC Tong is rockin the A2 duties on Big Blue, our mobile production truck with it's own studio enclosed.

http://sportsvideo.org/main/blog/2011/06/27/espn-using-traveling-studio-to-broadcast-women%E2%80%99s-world-cup/

 Not Feelin it!

Usually, I can handle Jet lag with a strong coffee and a walk.  However, this experience has been a tad difficult.  In the light of early dawn, I awoke at 5a and decided to go for a run along the river.  It’s a picturesque, tree filled riverfront reminiscent of home in Portland or even Minneapolis. I often forget how amazing mornings can be. 

        I kinda expected that first day, but the next 3 mornings even were worse. Four Thirty AM greeted me like Oscar the Grouch, followed by an hour or two of unsuccessful attempts at getting back to sleep.  With the extreme solstice sun shooting through the seam of the window curtains, I felt like Robin Williams in Insomnia.  This lack of sleep led to a sore throat and a slight cold.  These last few days, I can’t tell if I’m over tired from multiple 13 hour days or just recovering from a Nyquil Hangover!

Our live shots from Times Square were in jeopardy of not happening as this fella on the left sat on a pole and refused to get down when police asked him.  I'm not sure how long the standoff lasted, but the US waited for the second half to score, therefore allowing our live shot of fans watching on the big screen to be integrated into our broadcast. 5:22p-from Wayne, via Jed  "they just cuffed him".

We sadly say goodbye to our EVS Guru, Jay Deutsch, who flew home for another assignment.  Thanks for all of your technical tips and for launching this digital, media monster.  See you soon at another international broadcast event.  You have trained your protegé, Brandon, as a perfect replacement. He has modified my iPhone, jacking it into the the EVS server, so I can perform mobile edits from the biergarten.  I suggest he gets a hefty raise.

Music of The Day.

To inspire the Aussies on the pitch today against Brazil, my friend Keiran Chapman shouts out from Down Under suggesting the fresh sounds of the band Spider Bait. http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B0001VWF6K/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img

Ladies and germs, once again, it is time for..... The Ipswich Town Stat of the Day! (insert big audio fanfare here.) Today, IPTWNStat-o-Day is purposefully and properly pilfered from researcher Paul Carr-

Ian 'Lady Killer' Brown

USA remains undefeated (14-0-2) all-time in WWC Group Stage and improves to 4-0-2 in WWC openers.
Lauren Cheney, who was a last-minute decision to start, headed in a goal in the 54th minute.
Defender Rachel Buehler doubled the lead in the 76th minute with her 2nd career goal, in 60 appearances.
USA is the 1st team to win by multiple goals in this tournament.
Hope Solo makes 7 saves and improves to 4-0-1 at WWC, with 4 shutouts.
USA's extends its record with its 17th WWC shutout.

Thank you, this has been the IPSWCHTNStat-o-Day. ...'cause Ian Brown digs it!

The Daily Shout Out!

Hey Pete, welcome to Deutschland. enjoy Hamburg. may your Jet Lag be easy and your beer have handles!

Lonnie, I'm saving my daily per diem, should have your Porsche by October.

Hey Jorge/Jackie, how's my spelling for this blog so far?
Zop, we miss your fabulous, funky, falsetto voice, Shaw's imitation of you imitating Aaron Neville needs some adjustment.

Is it just me? or is the Colombian coach a younger version of that smooth Bad Guy from Clear & Present Danger???

Gotta go, tune in tomorrow. Same Bat-time, same Bat-place!

US game today!.....and the Scooby Doo mummy.

Greeting Earthlings.

The Tram, to us it's a Light Rail train.

Frankfurt is a city of trains. The U-Bahn, The S-Bah, The Tram, The Baunhof, the Hauptbahnhof and dont' forget the  Deutschbahn.  We ride the S9 train to work every day. It’s a short, 2 stop jaunt and quite convenient, since the Frankfurt Central Station is directly across the street from our hotel, a mere 20 second walk. I can handle that.

 

Completed in 1888, the Hauptbahnhof (central station), is the most important rail transport hub in Germany. Every day, more than 1,100 trains connect the city with many national and international destinations and around 700 suburban railway trains take passengers to stations within Frankfurt and the surrounding area. In terms of railway traffic, it is the busiest railway station in Germany. With about 350,000 passengers per day the station, it is the second busiest railway station in Germany and one of the most frequented in Europe.   I must have been mistaken.  I thought Bahnhof was a tribute to Karla Bonoff . Remember her hit from 1982???    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVFCohCpEF8

GAME REMINDER-

Tomorrow (or today. whatever.  Tues, June 28) the US Plays the mis-named Peoples Republic of Korea at 9aPT on ESPN. (that’s North Korea…I had to ask, also.)  The US has never lost a group stage match, going 13-0-2 with a +39 goal difference.  They really need a strong showing to give them momentum, as they begin a quest to win their first Women’s World Cup since 1999. Watch for the scoring machine of Abby Wambach to create opportunities and take chances, while Hope Solo holds steady in net.

also today (or is tomorrow, I'm confused), Columbia takes on Sweden.  I could go in depth about this one, but it all boils down to Drug Runners vs 11 clones of the Swedish Chef from the Muppets!

In today's action, Mexico's Ocampo launched a 30 yard rocket (a la Diego Forlan in last year's Mens Cup) to tie England 1-1.  As much as we don't like ties, it's OK here.  In the first round of group play, it gives 1 point to Mexico that it shouldn't have gained.  Earlier, Myama bent it like what's-his-face on a free kick to give Japan a 2-1 one victory over New Zealand.  With Japan's Tsunami and New Zealand's earthquake, both teams needed some healing, which played out in some emotional moments in the pre-game.

Inspired by TK’s Joburg PB&J Special, I gave mine a European touch by adding the worlds finest condiment- Nutella!

for you do-it-yourself Better Crocker types, here's the recipe: spread favorite peanut butter on wheat bread. Top with peanuts or trail mix, add Nutella to other side, fold over and enjoy.  Pairs nicely with a bold cup o joe or hot chocolate!

Recently in the NY Times..and here in the International Herland.

No, Ms Bonoff is NOT today's Music of the day.  That comes from our EIC.  Ahim Turk recommends some hard Deutsch rock. As he mentioned the band Rammstein, my fellow EVS op Erick The Valdes clicked his iTunes on cue to give us some instant pick-me-up tunes!

http://www.myspace.com/rammstein

In order to really bring you along with me, I've attempted to create a Google Place map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=204175235854283367762.0004a6b00059ed9b4eebb&ie=UTF8&z=13>

It’s not very populated with points yet. (Give me a break! I’ve only been here a week.)  I’ll keep ya updated.  If you are really bored, you can click the Satellite icon on the top right, or even try the Google Earth app.

Captain Coy and his Graphic Gypsies enjoy the sun at lunch.

Dallmayr- German for Mediocre Catered Coffee

Overheard on the set- German A2 testing a mic “last night, I go to Chicago concert. they play my favorite song’ Then he sings it in thick, German accented English, “If you leave me now, you take away the greatest part of me…” (slow dance time) wow, never thought I’d hear that this month!

 

 

Do you think Saki Kumagai of Japan has been watching a bit too much of the Scooby Doo Mummy episode? (wasn't that about every 5th episode?)

As I say good day, I’d like to wish Shelby a Happy Birthday.  Hurry up and get over here! 

VW, the Heat Miser and a smirk.

HOLA AMIGOS! Como Estas?             Hello from Women's World Cup 2011 in Germany!  I couldn't help but notice how one of the Canadian players has the same haircut as the Heat Miser.                                                Are you singing in your head right now?

Two down- Thirty games to go! As I alluded to, yet didn’t officially predict, France beat Nigeria 1-0. Later, in Berlin, he big game did not disappoint. Germany had 2 great goals to top Canada 2-1. Canada’s Christine Sinclair (and former Portland Pilot) had her nose broken in the first half, but returns to score a goal and break Germany’s shutout streak. 

I began this blog chapter in español for two reasons…as my only applause to Mexico for winning the Gold Cup 4-2 over the US Men’s National Team yesterday.  As much as I don’t like that team,  It was a grand comeback and was void of the usual cheap shots that El Tri has been know for in he past. Impressive.  It showed some weakness in the US side that needs to be fixed before Brazil 2014.

Back here in Germany, Mexico’s women play England at 9aPT in Wolfsburg (one of the many words I just love say!) It reminds of a deep, heartfelt connection I have with  these countries:   my first car, a faded blue hand-me-down ’66 Beetle was produced in the city of Wolfsburg.  Flash forward 20 years, my current mode of travel is Gretta The Jetta, which was manufactured in …..Puebla, Mexico.   sort of a full circle story…but, not really. I can't really work England into this 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon's car thing, so I'll just stop now.

For England, this is clearly Kelly Smith’s team.  Be sure to watch #10.  She takes chances, attacks the game and has some style to boot (bad soccer pun, sorry).  She is the kind of player that makes it fun to watch these matches.

New Zealand and Japan battle in the early game- 6aPT

 

Game Reminder- The US Women play on TUESDAY at 9aPT.

Next US games in Round 1 are Saturday and July 6.

Music of The Day, Patrick Hiller, one of our Engineers from Munich, recommends some new German rock - The Beatsteaks- check it- 

  http://www.myspace.com/beatsteaks

Ipswich  Town Stat of The Day.

Germany just gave up their first  goal in World Cup Play since the final of the 2003 Cup. That's 679 minutes!

It’s your lucky day, you just won a Daily Double Bonus-

Your 2^nd IPTN StatOday:

 Yesterday’s opening game attendance- the 3rd all-time highest in women's soccer history - 73,680 in Olympic Stadium- The same stadium where Jesse Owens  became legendary 1936.

This has been the Ipswich Town Stat of the day, sponsored by Håagen Dazs ice cream- just ONE of Ian Brown’s favorite foods!

Piper Down!

Be nice to our Bug & Score operator Gord Schmidt. The steps on our production trailer jumped up and grabbed Gord’s left leg. He valiantly battled this metallic monster like Frotto against the dragon.  In end, Gord suffered only a broken ankle.  Much like decathlete Dave Johsnon in the ’84 Olympics, Gord perseveres! He was back in the chair today for both games.  hang in there, buddy.

 

I must go now. Tune in next time as we find out why our PA Jackie is smirking from the back bench (while Esther and Carly are hard at work).

Tchuss!

Die nächste Abenteuer

                                                     Guten Tag Fruende!                                                                     Hello from Frankfurt.  No, not Frankfurt Ky. -that would be much less exotic.

This latest adventure has brought me to Germany for the Women’s World Cup soccer tournament working for ESPN.   As in past World Cups, this is a month long assignment.  Join me here on this blog and I’ll take you along for a tour of  Frankfurt, a commentary on International Soccer and many random, quirky happenings.  I may get a few facts incorrect, misspell a word, or invent a sentence structure that would make a grammar school teacher cringe. You will just have to get over it, this is a travel blog, not an English lesson.  As and added bonus, I’ll give you a not-so-daily dose of mixed metaphors, useless trivia and a selection of new music to discover. Buckle up. Put your seat in the most upright and uncomfortable position. Stow your belongings and children in the overhead compartment. This could be a bumpy landing!
 

Tomorrow’s games- (Sunday)

Match 1 has reigning champ Germany hosting Canada at 9am PT on ESPN. Leading the Deutsch is Birgit Prinz, the Women’s World Cup All-Time Leading scorer.  In our TV truck, we call her the Bearded Prince. Canada counters with a goal-scoring machine of their own, University of Portland alumni Christine Sinclair.

At 6am PT, Match 2 begins, (kinda confusing that Match 2 is first- hmm- whatever!) France faces Nigeria on ESPN2.  I’ll not pretend to know anything about these teams, so I'll save some blog-space and not expound.

The flight here was fine…if you like 9 hours in the torture chamber chair of an international flight.  However, with a plane like this, I knew I’d be safe.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

During my 5 hour layover, my plans were to venture into Amsterdam grab some coffee and check out a museum, then head back the airport for my next flight.  Well, as it turned out, my plane was a bit late, it was raining dogs and cats, plus the gate agents recommended I not try that, since I’d waste time standing in line at Customs/Immigration, then go back through security on a busy travel day.  So, I decided to take my lemons and make some orange juice.  (huh?)

I wandered down the concourse to the Crown Room to enjoy free breakfast and much needed espresso out of a fancy little doohickey coffee machine thingy.  On the walk to my gate, I stumbled upon the airport auxiliary of the Rijksmuseum. During renovation, they are housing pieces of art at various locations….almost as if they knew I couldn’t make it to real museum. The Dutch are very kind like that.

 

This seascape of a Herring fleet was finished using 180 tiles. Cornelis Boumeester of Rotterdam finished this tile painting in 1720.  A master of painting ships, it was said of his creations "not even a rope was missing".

 

That’s enough for one day, catch you on the flipside, as the kids say….

(just overheard, “Russ, they don’t really say that anymore”)

Shout Out to Meredith Zampino! Thanks for sending the cookies along with Shaw.  Our Hoboken Bloke was a good boy sharing them with us. That's exactly what Jorge and I needed.