Match of the day
At a cost of around £300,000 to build, each truck carries a full load of cable, lighting equipment, test gear and anything else that is required. Most of the product configuration and testing is carried out off site as, if every element of the installation had to be tested in situ, it would add a significant amount of time to the schedule.
Arena provided two double expanding production scanners, one for the match itself and one for the presentation, along with a separate truck for all the recording and editing work.
Rob Shepherd joined Film & TV Services and Arena Television as they prepared for the outside broadcast of the Chelsea v Napoli Champions League fixture
On Tuesday 13 March, Chelsea FC’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, was experiencing the calm before the storm. The next day would see Roberto Di Matteo’s side take on Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League fixture, with the English team looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg.
The majority of the ground was disconcertingly quiet with only a few Napoli fans taking the opportunity to have a look around as part of their trip over. However, one part of Stamford Bridge was a hive of activity. This was where the outside broadcast preparations for the match were taking place and it represented the culmination of what can only be described as meticulous planning and preparation, with television companies from all over the world involved.
The site contained various vehicles that were packed tightly together. Film & TV Services’ Chris Pratt, explains: ‘The exact layout of the vehicles is planned in advance and each company is presented with a map that shows exactly the space they have.’
This process allows Film & TV Services to know exactly what equipment is needed for each event and, just as importantly, what sized trucks its client, Arena, will be using. Arena’s Andrew Laddams has worked with Chris Pratt and his team for almost four years, and the two companies work in perfect tandem. He says: ‘Time is very much of the essence. If one part of the operation is held up, it has a knock on effect that can have repercussions across every other company on site.’
Logistics This particular job had approximately 100 people involved, including the Film & TV Services and Arena technical crews, camera operators and rigger/drivers, along with all freelance operators, ITV production crew, commentators and studio guests. Some 22 cameras were used for ITV, and the same number for the foreign broadcasters, as well as numerous microphones, monitors and peripherals. For Film & TV Services to provide enough
power, it required the use of its Unit 11-Y3 FTV for ITV and Unit 20-Y4 FTV for the foreign broadcasters. They are both 200kVA (160kW) Twinset generators that use Volvo Penta TWD 740GE engines paired with Mecc Alte SPA ECO 373L alternators.
Both generators are controlled and synchronised by Gensys control panels and can operate between single phase output and three phase via a changeover switch. They carry about 1,200 litres of generator red diesel each, as well as a reserve fuel tank.
Power play Power from Film & TV Services’ trucks to Arena’s units was provided via 25/35mm single phase rubber H07 cables, with three 125A single- phase inlets fitted to each scanner. Andrew Laddams comments: ‘Our trucks have variable RCD protection on the inlet. We normally have this set for 150mA due to the amount of earth leakage we obtain from our switch mode power supplies from the technical equipment on the scanner.’
Being outdoors, there’s a good chance that the electrical equipment could have been exposed to rain or other adverse conditions. Therefore, the power cable is pre-wired into the ground and comprises H07 RNF rubber cable, using ceeform ends, and is distributed by appropriate IP rated boxes. After the installation was completed, Film & TV Services carried out additional testing where necessary using portable appliance and loop testing devices. Although there is no legal requirement to keep maintenance logs for portable and transportable electrical equipment, there are benefits from recording maintenance and test results. Chris Pratt says: ‘A suitable log is useful as a management tool for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of our maintenance scheme.’
Final result
Meticulous planning is required to ensure a smooth job
In what was a thrilling match, after normal time both teams were all square, so the game had to go into extra time. Chris Pratt comments: ‘Y3 got through 800 litres of diesel in the two days on site. It ran at an average load of 80kW – 40kW each set load sharing – for a total of 32 hours. Y4 was pretty similar but used 100 litres less diesel as it ran for less hours and had a slightly smaller load.’ When the final whistle blew, Chelsea celebrated winning 5-4 on aggregate, while for Film & TV Services and Arena it marked the end of another successful project.
May 2012 ECA Today 43
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