MEMBER PROFILE
Greco, Cavaliers embrace 12th man with video
By
Dec 19, 2006 - 10:38:48 AM

By Andrew Lippe

When Jonny Greco, Cleveland Cavaliers director of video production, and his production crew sit down to create content and entertainment for fans at the Quicken Loans Arena he has three goals: “We want to educate the fans on our team and our city and, most of all, create an enthusiasm that leads to a home-court advantage.”

While Lebron James gives the Cavaliers an advantage on the court Panasonic and Sony SD cameras capture images to capture on-court action while Grass Valley handheld cameras are used for roaming the stands along with Fujinon lenses. “We pride ourselves on covering it all,” says Greco.

The arena’s Mitsubishi Diamond Vision scoreboard displays all video and Adobe Photoshop and After Effects are used for video effects. Editing systems include Avid Adrenaline, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Maya 3D software while Sony Sound Forge ensures high-quality audio tracks. A Ross production switcher integrates the graphics from a Chyron Duet LEX graphics system with the video.

Greco says SD is currently the format of choice but he expects to move to HD by next year. But watching seven-foot giants slash and cut to the hoop for a great dunk or blocked shot is just as effective without the extra resolution. All replays from key steals, to defensive stops, to Lebron James highlights are all put together thanks to two EVS LVS operators at the arena. “We produce an Arena show just like you would a broadcast show,” says Greco.

Audio is also an integral part of in game entertainment. “Sennheiser is just one of the many mic makers we use in our arena,” says Greco.

Greco says his team’s biggest strength is that they have a comradery with one another. It is their united passion for the business that produces the good shows. “We always try to put on a great show,” he says. “We never know whose watching.”



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