AMP VISUAL TV enlisted to provide coverage RF coverage of the Paris Marathon

Taking place on April 3, the 2016 Paris Marathon saw France Télévisions entrust AMP VISUAL TV with RF production for the first time on this particular event. The RF production included six motorcycles (four image-capturing motorcycles and two commentator motorcycles) with their seasoned drivers and camera operators, a shooting helicopter equipped with a Cineflex stabilised camera, and two aircraft to relay all the signals.

Meanwhile, the new RF OB truck Extender 5 was positioned on the finish line right next to the France 3 Lyon production truck.

Of particular interest was AMP VISUAL TV’s decision to use BMW 100% electric scooters, which are extremely quiet and non-polluting. The first one was positioned in advance of the leaders of the race and with the camera operator facing backwards, enabling them to film the runners. The second scooter initially travelled in parallel to the disabled athletes, and then joined the middle of the race with a cameraman positioned facing the road.

Stephane Alessandri, director of RF Department, AMP VISUAL TV, comments: “These scooters are neither polluting nor noisy, thereby picking up sounds that are not used to being heard in this kind of event. For example, the noise of wheelchairs on the streets of Paris is quite surprising. This gives additional atmosphere for viewers. Usually this type of sound is completely covered by the noise of motorcycles.”

To facilitate filming on scooters, the RF transmission antenna can be attached on the front or rear of the vehicle depending on whether the cameraman films in the direction of the road or back, facing the runners. In addition, the new Sony LCD colour viewfinder has been adapted to the HDC-P1 cameras, which avoids having the face permanently in contact with the eye cup. The cameraman can film in many ways, through the viewfinder or watching the screen, in order to find original angles of views.