Remote production has become a buzz phrase in the television industry over recent years. But what does this mean, what are the advantages and what are the challenges, especially for sound?
Join us live for the Audio Engineering Society Scottish Group Christmas lecture on Dec 14th at 14:00 where Gareth Gordon and Julie Robinson from QTV Sports will follow the journey of sound and vision from the sports field to the viewer, using the latest technologies.
In this lecture Gareth and Julie will talk about how their background in audio and vision engineering allowed them to design (and now manage) QTV Sports innovative remote productions systems. They will demonstrate the real time journey of audio and video signals from a football stadium 30 miles away, to QTV’s remote production facilities in Glasgow, whilst covering the various ways signals are embedded, converted, and distributed on the way.
And they will consider the many advantages that remote production offers to broadcasters, their staff, and the world of sport. Finally, Gareth and Julie, drawing on their experience in broadcasting, will take a look at how the evolution of remote production is far from over with many exciting developments to come.
This event is kindly supported by BT Media and Broadcast.
Gareth Gordon joined QTV in mid 2020 to assist in the design and implementation of their Remote Operations project and to bring in a high level of experience in broadcast operations.
After completing his degree in Audio Engineering and Electronics, Gareth won an apprenticeship at the BBC in 2003 where he stayed until 2014, quickly moving up through the department as a Vision Supervisor and Outside Broadcast facilities guarantee. During that time he worked on flagship BBC network shows like Glastonbury, The Weakest Link, One Big Weekend,
Eggheads and Mrs Browns’ Boys and was a technical lead for many of BBC Scotland’s large projects including Proms in The Park, T in the Park and Hogmanay. He was regularly subcontracted to external production companies for global events like Les Miserables 20th Anniversary at London O2 and Phantom of The Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.
Gareth moved to the freelance market in 2014 to pursue new challenges. He went on to work on global contracts for DAZN, NEP, ESPN, Jaguar, Land Rover, Telegenic (EMG), Ryder Cup, IAFF, Arena, WTA, PGA, Olympic Broadcast Services as well as contracts closer to home for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, BT Sport, Amazon working on UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, 6 Nations, The Open, SPFL, Premier League, Rugby League, Pro 14 and European Championship Rugby. Freelance also saw Gareth returning to the BBC as a technical consultant for the complete refurbishment of their 24 camera Outside Broadcast truck.
Julie Robinson joined QTV in July 2020 to work as a Technical Manager on Remote Operations (including the SPFL and World Archery), as well as an Engineering Manager on Outside Broadcasts such as the Royal Highland Show, Scottish Trad Awards, Super 6 Rugby and Lionfight Muai Thai.
After graduating with a 2:1 Hons BEng in Electronics with Music at the University of Glasgow in July 2000, Julie won an apprenticeship at BBC Scotland in September of that same year. Starting off as a Trainee Vision Engineer then working up to Lighting Vision Supervisor, she worked on many popular Studio shows such as The Weakest Link, Tonight’s The Night and Tomorrow’s World, as well as regular live Events including Elections, Children In Need and Hogmany. Julie also worked as a Vision Engineer across many of BBC Scotland’s large Outside Broadcasts including T In The Park, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Live 8, and a long list of live Sporting Events including Premiere & Champions League Football, Rugby League, The Open. Though Julie primarily worked as a Lighting Vision Supervisor, she also regularly acted up to the roles of Engineering Manager (Reporting Scotland, Sportscene, Newsnight Scotland) & Lighting Director (Quay Sessions, Nina & The Neurons, The Review Show), and was also part of the User Acceptance Team for BBC Scotland’s premises move to Pacific Quay.
As a sideline, Julie also works as a Writer/Director/Producer and Editor with Self-Shooting Skills for Independent Short Films & Documentaries, many of which have been screened at Festivals such as the Edinburgh Short Film Festival, the Glasgow Horror festival, Blueprint at the Glasgow Film Theatre and TromaDance in New York.
