Football fans worldwide were glued to their screens this past weekend as Europe’s biggest clubs battled it out in the Champions League. While many enjoy watching the games in the comfort of their homes, others appreciate the game even more when they can see it live in person.
But have you ever stopped to think about how all those amazing shots of goals and tackles are captured? Do they use the best video camera for recording soccer games there? We will take a look behind the scenes at how football matches are recorded.
The Technology
The technology used to record football matches has come a long way since the sport’s early days. In the past, filming was done using just a few cameras positioned around the pitch. This made it difficult to get good shots of all the action and often resulted in low-quality footage.
Nowadays, there are dozens of high-definition cameras around the stadium, providing broadcasters with a wealth of footage.
These cameras are operated by a team of skilled cameramen who have years of experience in capturing live sporting events.
Most equipment used by the filming crews is as listed:
- Jibs – The jib is a crane-like device that is used to get high shots of the action. It can be raised or lowered and can also be moved around the pitch’s perimeter, giving the cameraman a great deal of flexibility in terms of what he can capture.
- Handheld cameras – These are used by the camera operators who follow the action on foot. They are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around, and they provide the perfect way to get up close and personal with the action.
- Robotic cameras – These are fixed cameras that are controlled remotely. They are often located in hard-to-reach places, such as high up in the stands, giving viewers a unique perspective on the action.
The Process
The process of recording a football match begins long before the game itself kicks off. The day before the match, the cameramen will conduct a walk-through of the stadium to plan where they will position their cameras. They will also test the equipment to make sure everything is working correctly.
On the day of the match, the cameras will be set up and tested again. The cameramen will then take their positions in the stadium, ready to capture all the action.
During the game, the cameramen will constantly be moving around the stadium, following the action and switching between cameras. They will also be in constant communication with the director, telling them which shots to capture.
So, next time you’re watching a football match on TV, remember all the work that goes into capturing those great moments. From the planning and testing to the constant movement and communication, it takes a team of skilled professionals to bring you the action. Thanks for reading.