- David Plakos, supervising producer for Rehearsals.com, a 150,000 square foot production facility in Burbank, California, never dreamt that a single manufacturer could exceed his expectations for the perfect camera control system until he learned about the systems offered by AMX". The objective was to produce High-Definition (HD)content of musicians rehearsing their music without compromising the integrity of the studio environment. The end results can be seen at www.rehearsals.com.
"These are by far the most intuitive operator interfaces that I've ever used. Shots can be framed quickly, precisely and you are able to quickly select from several different cameras."
- Initially, Plakos turned to Dan Newman of Newmagic Entertainment and together they worked with HD video expert David Canning to build one of the most unique and versatile systems in the broadcast industry, integrating AMX PosiTrack™ Pilot camera controllers, PT30 pan/tilt heads, Modero" Touch Panels and NetLinx" Controllers into a highly automated, all-HD facility.
Building the Perfect System
- To build a system that would give rehearsals.com everything it was looking for, it needed a product that could handle a number of roles. The AMX solution provided camera control as well as automation of nearly every other process in the facility. With AMX, setting up for a shoot takes a fraction of the time.
- AMX dealer/programmer Newman provided the expertise that made it happen. "The people who brought me in on this project are industry leaders in broadcast production – the best camera operators and engineers in the business, working with the biggest artists in the industry," Newman stated. "I could think of no solution more powerful and comprehensive than AMX to meet their needs."
- After extensive testing and evaluation of competitive products, Plakos agreed. "AMX provided a level of proficiency that I felt very comfortable with. There wasn't another manufacturer that could so effectively fulfill so many needs and do so in an affordable manner."
"Since installing the AMX gear, our artists are continually telling us how much they love the creative freedoms they are being afforded."
A Better Way
- Rehearsals.com pre-wired six rehearsal studios with HD video to support up to 80 remote controlled robotic cameras matrixed to five control rooms that can each handle 16 cameras. Plakos explained, "Robotic cameras are fantastic because they allow us to be a "fly-onthe- wall" when capturing a performance. Within a few minutes, the artists often forget they're being recorded. And because of this new paradigm, we truly get to witness 'Music In The Making'."
The Equipment
- With 23 Emmy® nominations, including those he won for his camerawork on the OSCARS® and television specials for artists including Cher, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Sting, Plakos expected a lot from the products that would go into the facility. "We needed a platform that afforded us very smooth panning, tilting, zooming and focusing, and the PT30 was a wonderful solution."
- Because of so many different experience levels and camera operator styles, Plakos also needed an interface that could create, save and quickly recall unique operator profiles. "The PosiTrack Pilots are by far the most intuitive operator interfaces that I've ever used. Shots can be framed quickly, precisely and you are able to quickly select from several different cameras. And by entering a personal code, the Pilot instantly remembers how I like my settings."
- Additionally, the AMX NetLinx® NI-3000 Integrated Controller performed central controller duties and networked NI-700s talk to each PosiTrack Pilot and PT30. Twelve inch and 15 inch Modero Touch Panels provide signal routing controls, transport controls, video wall displays and camera painting, just to name a few.
Truly AMAZing
- Plakos shares that the more he has an opportunity to work with the AMX system, the more new benefits he discovers. "I'm learning something new every day. I find myself wondering, 'What else can this thing do? Start the barbeque? Pop a soda out of the machine?' It's truly amazing technology. The AMX system is at the heart of how rehearsals.com is controlled."
