Smile – you’re on TV!
Photo by Oskar Ostnes
Together with NRK, TAC has developed a TV concept that is tailor made to the new contest and judging format. It is probably the biggest TV production in snowboarding this season with 14 cameras, a 750 long wire stretch, crane, follow cams and a great graphics package.
When the TAC crew developed a new judging system for the 2010 slopestyle contest, it was obvious that it needed some graphic explanation on TV. Each rider will get a slow motion package with 3d graphics of each obstacle together with a display of their obstacle score. There’s no room for computer mistakes when this is going on in a live TV airing. On TV, the viewers will see how the obstacle scores adds up to a total obstacle score. The rider waits in the finish area to get his flow score. His flow score and obstacle score adds up to a total score. All the facts & figures comes up on the TV screen and makes it easier and more exciting to watch – hopefully…
Its the first time this has been done in snowboarding, and both TAC and NRK are thrilled to see how it plays out. 60 people are involved from NRK. Everyone in TAC is involved with the TV Project, some more than others. Nicolai Sorensen is managing the project from NRK’s side. He is producing the show, but has been involved since TAC started developing the new contest/judging format together with Torstein Horgmo, Andreas Wiig and Kiwi (head judge). The working mantra has been: If you can`t present it in a simple way on TV, the format will not work. The format has to be exciting for everyone: Riders, spectators, sponsors and TV viewers.
The ambitions are high: TAC wants to contribute to a better future for snowboarding on TV. Several events have improved their TV quality substantially the last five years, but it is still free TV. Free in the sense that the TV companies don`t pay for the product. Being one of the highest rated TV shows on NBC during the Olympics, snowboarding deserves more than that. If the product is world class, the TV income will come. And with TV income comes better events, more prize money, more entertainment and – continously improved TV productions.
TAC and NRK produces a national live show from the semifinals on Saturday. From the finals on Sunday, people from all over the world can watch the airings live – either on TV or web. TAC is furthermore editing a 24 minute highlights show and satellitte news. Pictures from TAC reaches almost 200 countries and millions of viewers.
So lets hope it all goes well!
