Collectv has been selected by leading sports and non-script production company Whisper to design facilities at the company’s new broadcast and production center.
The new center was installed on a dedicated floor at Whisper’s headquarters in Kew. The solution was installed in an extremely short time – seven weeks from the moment of approval to the first operational edits that passed through the object.
The Broadcast and Production Center was designed primarily to handle the increased volume of content the company is producing after it was selected as a broadcast and digital content production partner by a major sports federation last year. In both digital and broadcast formats, products from a wide range of competitions are delivered to viewers around the world as part of a multi-year agreement.
One of the key outcomes of the agreement is a series of magazine shows that quickly highlight the highlights of mid-week events in time for a Friday morning deadline. To make this possible every week, The Collectv hosted and delivered a flexible, high-bandwidth system consisting of six dedicated editing suites running Adobe Premiere Pro, along with one audio/sound booth suite, as well as numerous desktop modules for a production team of 40 people. Connectivity is via Cat6a cable while storage and remote operation is handled by Editshare. Unity Intercom’s innovative IP-based two-way communication system allows Whisper employees to join through their computers and devices, as well as serve external freelancers who can join via a web link, enabling seamless deployment of remote workflows as needed.
In addition to the reduced seven-week deadline, the project has also faced other major challenges, including both Covid-19 and the still ongoing supply chain restrictions. As a result, The Collectv had to innovate in some areas where the supply of certain components was a problem, to the point of installing a workaround when it was discovered that preferred components would be delayed.
“We had to react and act quickly many times during build and it was vital that we were there on the ground when the walls were being erected so we could identify any issues as they arose,” commented Nick Long, Project Manager for The. Collect “We have been working with Whisper for several years and this has allowed us to stay ahead of their requirements and their preferred workflows by providing SDI matrices so they can display images from any source, be it an edit set, an incoming stream, or a PowerPoint presentation for example. on their large screens. We were also able to build reliable hooks into production networks on other floors of their building, ensuring that in the event of a delay, he could use resources in other areas.
Bethan Evans, director of production for Whisper, said: “We challenged Collectv to install these new editing tools, along with the sound and quality control kit, on a tight schedule. They worked excellently with the construction company and other vendors to ensure all requirements were met and anticipate future challenges. With their knowledge of our workflows, they were also able to design a system that integrated seamlessly into our existing infrastructure. The installation provided us with a large production and realization of an ambitious and sporting result”.
