At the heart of a purpose-built studio and control room streaming live footage
from the Antarctic is a NewTek TriCaster 860 multi-camera production system
supplied and operated by UK-based broadcast facilities and hire specialist Shift
4.
Parker Liautaud, a 19-year-old adventurer, is aiming to set a new world speed
record for a journey from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole and to aid in
environmental studies, the expedition will also collect snow samples and
weather data.
Content marketing agency Captive Minds contracted Shift 4 to provide MCR
(master control room) facilities in the studio that the agency has designed and
built in the foyer of global insurance giant Willis Group’s London headquarters to
tell this amazing story to the world.
Named after the expedition’s backers, Willis Resilience Expedition TV will use the
TriCaster to produce a live 60-minute show each day for 16 days during the
expedition. This will be done according to a magazine-style format including live
updates directly from Parker, reporter-led environmental news stories, news
analyses, and studio debates with input from leading climate scientists,
environmentalists and government figures.
The programming will feature live video and audio satellite feeds from the
custom-built expedition support vehicle in Antarctica, which is following Parker
on his mission. Additionally, video from three Sony PDW-F800 HD cameras in the
studio, previously edited VT material, on-screen graphics, and Skype calls from
global contributors will be utilised. Each 60-minute live show will be mixed in the
TriCaster and streamed to Willis’ YouTube channel.
Alex Trezies, managing director of Shift 4, says, “For a live show like this, when
there is only one chance to get it right, we know we can rely on TriCaster. It
gives us all the inputs and outputs we need, plenty of graphics and effects,
automation and built-in live streaming, with an intuitive interface. TriCaster
enables us to produce professional quality programming that fits our clients’
budgets.’
“We have an exciting journey to share, and an important issue to discuss with
viewers around the world who are focused like us on how companies, places
and people can become more resilient. The team at Captive Minds has helped us
to tell this story and have this conversation in a richly creative and
technologically-advanced way with the largest possible audience,’ comments
Josh King, senior vice-president, Group Marketing and Communications for Willis.
Simon Greenwood, series producer for Willis Resilience Expedition TV at Captive
Minds remarks, “I am excited by this opportunity for a televisual examination of
the impact of climate change. We are indebted to Willis for having the ambition
to make it happen. It hasn’t been easy building a large, fully soundproofed
studio to operate in a working reception area. The team has been hand-picked
for a task that will require cool, calm heads.’
Until 16 December 2013, viewers can visit www.willisresilience.com at 08h30
GMT to see the live show or visit www.youtube.com/user/WillisResilience to
watch previous broadcasts.
