MOOV, a UK broadcast graphics company, harnessed the latest virtual placement and graphics technology to showcase the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Dubai World Series Finals 2016 to audiences across the globe. MOOV provided outside broadcast production services to enhance coverage of the tournament staged in a purpose-built indoor venue at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, with Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in the background. The season-ending tournament took place between 24 and 28 May 2016.
“Downtown Dubai is one of the world’s most exciting city centre locations and is the perfect setting to stage the pinnacle of the international squash calendar,’ said Alastair Ruxton, chief operating officer, Falcon and Associates, a strategic advisory company working on behalf of the Dubai leadership. “As a place where innovation thrives, we had a vision for this tournament that the hundreds within the venue and the millions watching at home around the world could get a real sense of the city and its energy. Using modern technology to do this was the challenge set to the PSA’s production partner, and the results have been fantastic.’
“This was a world’s first for squash’ said Nev Appleton, director, MOOV. “We had about one metre of space above the court so when the robotic camera looked up we replaced the roof structure with a live shot of Burj Khalifa, accompanied with player images, logos and a five metre wide #squashindubai image from outside. So many people at the venue were puzzled, looking around to see where it was coming from when they saw it on screen – you know you’ve got the illusion right when they do that.’
For 15 years MOOV has produced virtual and augmented graphics for numerous worldwide sports broadcasts at Olympic Games, The Grand National and many high profile football and rugby events, but had not previously attempted anything like this. MOOV worked on the project with its longtime partner ChyronHego.
“We worked closely with MOOV to work out not only the technical requirements and also the design brief. We are excited to see this, our first Virtual Placement project, on air with MOOV.’ said Mark Bowden, head of technical integration at ChyronHego.
The 2016 Dubai PSA World Series Finals saw the world’s eight best male and female players compete in a five-day tournament to determine the final title of the 2015/16 season and squash’s most lucrative prize. The PSA Dubai World Series will be staged in Dubai for the next two years following an agreement between PSA and Dubai Sports Council, facilitated by Falcon and Associates.
Appleton added, “We’ve already got great ideas to further enhance the broadcast experience for next year’s event, which will be held in the superb 2000 seat Dubai Opera house.’
More information is available at the PSA Dubai World Series Finals website.
