Hollywood in the 'Haven

To show that things have started up in Florida for us on the broadcast side, folks from WKYC are already hard at work at Chain O’Lakes Park. There are many facets to the creation of Indians baseball on SportsTime Ohio and Channel 3. Right now let's go right where the action is - in Winterhaven!

Blue skies and sunshine greet us on the drive into the grounds. If you look in to your left, you can see the ballpark itself. It is nice to see green again….and the palm trees don’t hurt either!

Our production team there is videotaping the players for various promotional mentions throughout the season. Just like in the movies, a green background is set up to record the various players in front of it. Once this is done, the recorded video can be superimposed over any background….like the ballpark or a fireworks display….whatever would make sense at the time. Many home computer editors have the ability to use this effect and have some real fun….like putting the family on top of the Eiffel Tower or being superimposed with a rock band on stage…

Here is what our setup looks like at the ballpark…..

Indeed, Hollywood has come to the 'Haven!

The lighting is set evenly so that all the green disappears in the transfer of video in the edit process. The players stand in front of the green paper and pose accordingly. They generally have fun with it and are pretty patient with the process as it can take a while. I mean you know how tough it is just taking the family photo at the reunion picnic!

Here is "Mac" Mahafee checking out the "limbo" set on the production stage. The "limbo" stage is erected with a black material as the background.

(No, not the "limbo" you are thinking of - I have seen Mac dance before....) The lighting here can be a little more dramatic - giving the videographer more opportunites to create an edgier mood. Again, the players stand in front and pose for the camera giving the post production team more options in the creative process.


With his back to you walking toward the set is Steve Pullen, who is directing the videography for the session. He will assess the lighting and background situations for each shot. A big part of the entire shoot is just getting all the equipment there on the scene. Steve has done it again and the shoot is well on its way to being completed.

Once the shoot is over, then the real work begins. Looking for the right shot to complete the task is turned over to the art director.

Here is Greg Golya of WKYC providing that touch as he views some of the takes of the day. He will review the shots and the lighting to make sure that everything is going to plan. And there is a plan….a blueprint is worked out for the entire shoot before they leave for spring training. And with great coordination and assistance from the Indians, the entire project will be completed in a few short days.

I hope to have a few more shots from Winterhaven up and running as the week continues. Many thanks to Mac who shipped these up for use here on the blog.

Keep up the good work fellas … now go have a strawberry shake at Andy’s. It is on me!