Tri-Castor

The Trenton Thunder is doing something new this year, and that is streaming their games live on the Internet. In order to accomplish this task they need a Tri-Castor. A Tri-Castor is a device that acts like a switcher in the control room. It has multiple camera inputs, with graphics, and audio channels. The Tri-Castor is great because it is compact and portable. Trenton Thunder has five camera feeds that input into the Tri-Castor. However, an unfortunate quark to the Tri-Castor is that only one camera can be previewed at a time.

The use of a Tri-Castor has changed their whole operation. The Tri-Castor operator has a lot going on during the game. The operator controls everything. One-person switches between the cameras, captures the replay footage, controls the audio and displays the graphics. Before the game the operator has to update all of the graphics with the correct stats for the night. The graphics feature is a lot like Photoshop in that multiple layers go into making one graphic. These graphics are mainly for lower thirds when a batter comes to the plate.

Live streaming is something only a select few Double A teams have. The Tri-Castor is not new technology, but it is something that the Trenton Thunder value very much. Now that they can stream live new advertising spots have opened up. The radio broadcasters narrate the game. However, in between innings they get muted on the live stream. As of right now this is dead space in the stream. When advertisements get sold that gap will be filled. This is one of many options the Thunder can give to their sponsors looking to advertise with them.

MiLB.com is where these games can be found. MilB.com hosts all minor league live-streamed games. The set up is similar to MLB.com streamed games. A person needs to pay a subscription in order to watch the games. Live streaming has been a great advantage to Thunder fans giving them another option to watch the game. The use of a Tri-Caster is what made live streaming possible for the Thunder.

GCH Concert

On April 29^th Gym Class Heroes performed at Six Flags Great Adventure. I was lucky enough to work this concert. The day starts with setting up backstage. This includes getting the dressing rooms ready as well as the catering area. In the dressing rooms has to be everything the band requested in their rider. The rider is a document that the band uses to make their stay as comfortable as possible. This document is extremely important because if something is missing the band can decide not to perform. Fortunately, everything met the bands requirements and they performed.

Then the band arrives and we unload the equipment. The step up is the longest process of the day. There are a lot of heavy equipment that has to make its way to the stage. Four to six guys are carrying one crate at a time. The contents get unpacked and placed in position. Then cables are run to all of the equipment from the sound and lighting booth. Once everything is hooked up the sound check begins.

That takes us to lunch, and a little down time to hang out with the band. By now fans have started to line up outside of the arena. We try to do our best to entertain them. An hour and a half before the show is a meet and great between the band and a lucky few fans. Then the gates open an hour before the show. Security is now in place to control the crowd. The show goes on and everyone is enjoying it.

After the show and everyone leaves, it is now clean up time. This is by far the worst part of the job. People make a mess no matter how many garbage cans are around the arena. None of them get used. Everything is one the floor. Simultaneously the equipment is getting packed up. Packing up takes a little bit longer then unpacking because of rolling up cables, and making sure everything fits back into place.

Once everything gets packed up, the band is ready to go. We say our goodbyes and start to prepare for the next show. That is what a typical day is like. It is a lot of hard work, but it is also a lot of fun. Next time you are in the area come to Six Flags Great Adventure and see a concert. Most are free with theme park admission.