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.