KitPlus | Articles

Shooting in secret

by Kieron Seth Issue 88 - April 2014 Now showing on Channel 4 is Endemols new and highly popular Secret Eaters series. Based round a fixed rig production, the series uses newly developed mobile fixed rig technology and incorporates a number of recently introduced technical innovations, vital for fast turn-around TV. Secret Eaters is one of a string...

Submitted by Kieron Seth#

Published 01 May 2014

When the going gets tough

by Will Strauss Issue 88 - April 2014 When working in the field, the kit we use has to withstand a fair old battering. And Im not just talking about the cameras, viewfinders and those expensive lenses. While glass still needs protecting, these days so does your laptop, your storage, your memory cards: the lot. They all need bags, cases and toughene...

Submitted by Will Strauss#

Published 01 May 2014

Mildred: The next generation of OB vans

by Kate Phibbs Issue 87 - March 2014 As live streaming occupies an ever-increasing piece of the broadcast industry pie, todays leaders of the online broadcasting industry are paving the way by investing in original and status quo challenging research and development. The team of engineers at industry leader, 3xScreen Media, kept these principles of...

Submitted by Kate Phibbs

Published 01 April 2014

Covering the Winter Games for Broadcast

by Mel Noonan Issue 86 - February 2014 This was written a few days before the opening ceremony so news arriving from the front line is of last minute angst for some of the tech teams who go out and perform daily miracles in such unuser-friendly locations year after year. Camera platforms erected in the wrong place, cables lost under a recent snowfa...

Submitted by Mel Noonan

Published 01 March 2014

Ask the Experts: Wireless microphone systems for cameras

by Tobias von Allwrden Issue 86 - February 2014 Wireless microphone systems for cameras are used by ENG crews and reporting teams as well as for TV and film shootings, where compact size, low weight and unobtrusive miking are particularly important. A professional camera receiver like the EK 3241 is designed according to the Unislot or Sony standar...

Submitted by Tobias von Allworden

Published 01 March 2014

In the Flesh: On set with the BBC

by Dale McCready Issue 86 - February 2014 Director of Photography, Dale McCready recently lit the second series of BBCs award nominated Zombie drama In the flesh with the Rotolight ANOVA Bi Colour V2 LED flood light. New Zealand born DoP, and Steadicam operator, McCready, has worked on some of Britains most highly rated series such as Atlantis, Dr....

Submitted by Dale McCready

Published 01 March 2014

BroadcastShow Tour - a visitors view

by Connor PearceIssue 83 - November 2013 Suitably set on the backdrop of Britains birthplace for iconic television, the last leg of the BroadcastShow Tour saw Philip Bloom host a day of seminars at Pinewood Studios. Alongside this, internationally leading companies in film and television technology flocked to share their latest and greatest broadca...

Submitted by Connor Pearce

Published 01 December 2013

Rising to the occasion

by Kevin CookIssue 83 - November 2013 I must admit I wasnt really in the market for a camera crane until I set eyes on the iFootage M1 Mini Crane. Sure, I love seeing craning shots in a film - and I understand perfectly how these types of shots give the viewer an additional and otherwise unavailable perspective to A scene but it all seemed like a l...

Submitted by Kevin Cook

Published 01 December 2013

Ask the experts with Shotoku

by James EddershawIssue 82 - October 2013 Shotoku has been around for quite some time, but for those who may not be familiar, can you explain who you are and what you do?Shotoku Broadcast Systems is an international leader in the manufacture and marketing of a full range of camera support products including manual and robotic pedestals as well as v...

Submitted by James Eddershaw

Published 01 November 2013

Flying Pictures and the importance of a monitor

Issue 82 - October 2013 Hampshire based filming specialist Flying Pictures is the world leader in the provision of aerial & helicopter filming services for feature films, commercials, television, live broadcast events and surveillance. Based in the UK, the company nevertheless operates worldwide, so if you need something done in the air; they do it...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 November 2013

The invention of LED lighting

by Jonathan HarrisonIssue 82 - October 2013 Video can been seen at: http://youtu.be/z7rHinlAP3EThe invention of LED lighting on one level has been brilliant. The rock and roll business has completely transformed that industry. But rock and roll and theatre are completely different to the environment that we work in. We work in a colour critical env...

Submitted by Jonathan Harrison

Published 01 November 2013

The joys of the outside broadcast!

by Barrie WilliamsIssue 81 - September 2013 When Michael Essien wanted to broadcast his charity football match from Ghana, the natural choice was In-5 Broadcast, who over recent years have become well- known for cost-effective outside broadcasts, writes Barrie Williams. However, with no HD broadcast equipment hire in Accra, it was necessary to take...

Submitted by Barrie Williams

Published 01 October 2013

Wireless cameras at live events

by Scott WalkerIssue 81 - September 2013 While wireless cameras have been used in high end broadcast for years, prices have dropped and there are now a variety of products on the market to suit lower cost broadcasts, and the technology is creeping into events with live outdoor screens and lower budgets, where it adds a creative angle to the show. I...

Submitted by Scott Walker

Published 01 October 2013

Polecam delivers 500th rig

by Mel NoonanIssue 81 - September 2013 We in the UK should be rightly proud of Polecam and what it has achieved, with news that the 500th rig has been delivered. Extreme sports cameraman Steffan Hewitt designed the lightweight jib for his own use, as a tool to get the shots he wanted. He kept refining it as he used it. Others saw it and wanted it....

Submitted by Mel Noonan

Published 01 October 2013

A bag for life? PELI Elite Laptop Backpack reviewed

by Simon TillyerIssue 80 - August 2013 Were a big user of PELI cases here at tv-bay. We use them for what they were designed for... and then some with attempted drownings, drops, drags and dynamite tests!So when I was offered the chance to try out the new PELI Elite Laptop Backpack I jumped at the chance. My Workstation Specialists PC is loaded wit...

Submitted by Simon Tillyer

Published 01 September 2013