UK broadcaster BSkyB has teamed with James Cameron’s company, the Cameron Pace Group (CPG), for their first major joint venture – the 3D Ryder Cup coverage, held in Medinah, Illinois later this month.
The coverage will be co-produced by CPG and Sky Sports separately from the 2D host broadcast produced by NBC and European Tour Golf. Around 26 3D camera positions will be used.
“In this instance it is not 5D largely because of the way it was pulled together rather late. It was difficult for us to add extra cameras to NBC’s existing roster,’ said John Cassy, director, Sky 3D.
Would English Premier League football follow? “We are talking about a range of opportunities,’ Cassy said.
James Cameron, co-chair of CPG, expressed frustration that broadcasters in Europe and the US weren’t shooting more 3D. “The irony is that we are doing the hardest things in 3D – visual effects cinema and huge multi-camera broadcast shoots, yet nobody is exploring the easy, low hanging fruit of two camera scripted drama – where the cost delta is negligible.’
The director has identified China as the key growth market, last month launching a CPG 3D joint venture there. “We’re talking to the state government, the central government and we’re talking to the major regional broadcasters in China,’ he said.
As to the IBC broadcast technology trade show in Amsterdam (7 – 11 September), Cameron said: “In a high-stakes moment in the transformation of media globally, IBC continues to engage the broadcast community and encourage and inspire new ways of thinking. The Cameron-Pace Group is honoured to collaborate with IBC, and the technology leaders it embraces, in expanding our vision and re-defining our media future.’
