RobMcCaffery Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) The programmes I worked on in the 80s used to have the mickey taken by some of the continuity announcers over the lack of spectators. I did point out that you couldn't see that many people at most of the minor motorsport events - and certainly not at the yachting they used to show ;-) The problem was there, even in the tail end of the boom years. The problem then, as now, was that most of the crowd was either below or behind the main camera so you had to rely on the head-on first bend camera to show the home straight stands. Well, we only had three cameras....I think today's crews would shudder at the budget we had to work to. Sometimes people notice the negatives if they're negative about the sport and vice-versa. Thankfully we had bosses who were looking at the racing, not the crowd... Edited June 29, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke Potter Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 I see no point in reducing the admission, or even making it free, and then putting down a poor track that produces no decent racing. All you're doing in effect is driving potential custom away. As regards the camera work from Sky, towards the end they seemed less interested and you got the view from the crane most of the time. BT seems better. Now all we needs is starts shown from the 1st bend. Riders at the gate, camera side on to get the close ups, as soon as the bikes have gone 6 feet cut to the view from the 1st bend. That way you get a better view of Gate 4 cutting across and the banging elbows, etc. that goes on on the run to the bend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 The beauty of the first bend camera is that it is relatively static, so ideal for an alert promoter to put a well-paid advertisement on the fourth bend, and right in shot rather than being rapidly panned-past. It's the same way with advertising on the tapes, used already by a couple of tracks. In a similar vein, get your team sponsor's name at the top of the race suit or race jacket. That way it's far more likely to be caught during interviews.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Personally I think that BT has done a pretty reasonable job so far. They are a professional Company and I am sure they will get better as they gain more experience of broadcasting Speedway. I am happy just to wach and see how things develop. At least we are on the Television, so let's just hope that this is the start of a long and happy relationship between BT and Speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 The beauty of the first bend camera is that it is relatively static, so ideal for an alert promoter to put a well-paid advertisement on the fourth bend, and right in shot rather than being rapidly panned-past. It's the same way with advertising on the tapes, used already by a couple of tracks. In a similar vein, get your team sponsor's name at the top of the race suit or race jacket. That way it's far more likely to be caught during interviews.... At Newcastle the main sponsors banners are all on the 4th bend for the reasons you state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 BT very happy with viewing figures for first two domestic events and there has been a significant increase in the SGP numbers as well. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 BT very happy with viewing figures for first two domestic events and there has been a significant increase in the SGP numbers as well. At least there is some good News around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) BT very happy with viewing figures for first two domestic events and there has been a significant increase in the SGP numbers as well. Wonderful news. I make no secret of being a huge fan of their work on other sports so am delighted to see our sport becoming a valued part of it. Let's hope for a proper, permanent deal. The tide is turning in pay-TV and judging by the proposals I've seen for a complete reshaping of Sky's sports packages which smack of sheer desperation we would be in much safer hands long-term. Edited June 30, 2017 by Rob McCaffery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 The beauty of the first bend camera is that it is relatively static, so ideal for an alert promoter to put a well-paid advertisement on the fourth bend, and right in shot rather than being rapidly panned-past. It's the same way with advertising on the tapes, used already by a couple of tracks. In a similar vein, get your team sponsor's name at the top of the race suit or race jacket. That way it's far more likely to be caught during interviews.... Funny you should that, I commented to my dad how crap BV looked with a car park in the background when there should be a bloody huge board up with sponsors logos all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Funny you should that, I commented to my dad how crap BV looked with a car park in the background when there should be a bloody huge board up with sponsors logos all over it. What a good idea as the 'bloody huge board' could probably act as a sun blocker too to avoid delays waiting for the sun to go down. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) Funny you should that, I commented to my dad how crap BV looked with a car park in the background when there should be a bloody huge board up with sponsors logos all over it. I was saying it over 30 years ago (well, not insulting the BV car park!). It takes time to get a message through sometimes, especially in speedway. At least the racejacket tip was taken up by a few teams. I was watching some baseball after the SEC - needed waking up. You have to wonder how much businesses pay for the ad boards behind the batters and catcher. It's all a matter of studying what goes on screen and for how long and making sure you make money from the opportunity. The Polish tracks' centre greens are full of ranks of boards but you do wonder how many can actually be read as the camera fast pans past or another views them almost end-on. Edited June 30, 2017 by Rob McCaffery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A ORLOV Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 I see no point in reducing the admission, or even making it free, and then putting down a poor track that produces no decent racing. All you're doing in effect is driving potential custom away. As regards the camera work from Sky, towards the end they seemed less interested and you got the view from the crane most of the time. BT seems better. Now all we needs is starts shown from the 1st bend. Riders at the gate, camera side on to get the close ups, as soon as the bikes have gone 6 feet cut to the view from the 1st bend. That way you get a better view of Gate 4 cutting across and the banging elbows, etc. that goes on on the run to the bend. Agreed, when I watch car racing I am looking at the action on the track not how many people are there. If the place was packed but the racing awful people would not go, if you had no crowd at all but brilliant racing on a good track people would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 If the racing's good enough, who's got time to count the crowd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 If the racing's good enough, who's got time to count the crowd? But if it isn't????????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) But if it isn't????????????? Then you have a problem which you fix by improving the racing, or making sure the TV companies avoid the tracks that can't, as with Leicester in recent years. Shame Poole wasn't included in such an exclusion list given the appalling stage they provided for the big BT league racing launch. Thankfully they'd had Belle Vue the previous week. Edited July 1, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 Then you have a problem which you fix by improving the racing, or making sure the TV companies avoid the tracks that can't, as with Leicester in recent years. Shame Poole wasn't included in such an exclusion list given the appalling stage they provided for the big BT league racing launch. Thankfully they'd had Belle Vue the previous week. Can they, or will they? As far as Poole are concerned, we can only wait and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayleigh Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 Thumbs up for the BT camera view mainly from the start and quite low, never understood why Sky showed the bend action from about 100 feet up on the second bend, how many fans watch the racing from that position ...... exactly. Overall they made a meeting on a crap track very watchable. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) Thumbs up for the BT camera view mainly from the start and quite low, never understood why Sky showed the bend action from about 100 feet up on the second bend, how many fans watch the racing from that position ...... exactly. Overall they made a meeting on a crap track very watchable. One of my criticisms of Sky is they confuse gimmickry with innovation. Sometimes, just because you can do something it doesn't mean you have to. Anyone found where Molecam is buried? I fear Martin Smolinski must have hit it.... Can they, or will they? As far as Poole are concerned, we can only wait and see. If they won't only go there when you have to, just as if their lighting wasn't up to scratch. Edited July 1, 2017 by Rob McCaffery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagonshocker Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Don't get me wrong I quite like Suzi Perry but almost seems a bit of a kick in the lady garden for Natalie to stick her in the pits as good an interviewer she is , be the same at Cardiff again I assume 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted July 2, 2017 Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Don't get me wrong I quite like Suzi Perry but almost seems a bit of a kick in the lady garden for Natalie to stick her in the pits as good an interviewer she is , be the same at Cardiff again I assume I kind of agree, but, having said that, Suzi Perry is something of a 'name' in motor sport presenting these days so it's a good thing to have her on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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