Videe provides host broadcast services as Italy welcomes Women’s Softball World Cup
For the first time in history Italy hosted the Finals of the Women’s Softball World Cup (15-20 July). The event, held in Castions di Strada, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, was organised by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) together with the Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) and featured eight of the best teams from across four continents.
The daily matches were live streamed worldwide on the dedicated platform Gametime; in Italy the live broadcast was secured by Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport Arena.
WBSC and FIBS entrusted Videe with the host broadcast services of the event. The company has significant experience in major sports tournaments and showed a proactive and collaborative approach when conceiving the technical project, adapting to the specific requests of the client and suggesting technical solutions which proved successful. The company also offered creative support which turned out to be key in realising a high-quality TV product.
To cover and live broadcast the four daily matches and the final round, Videe provided an OB truck, an SNG antenna and a drone. Handheld and PTZ cameras, two commentary positions (an English one for the international federation and an Italian one for Sky), a VAR station with EVS, audio effects, the in-cloud live graphics management and a power generator completed the supply.
“Our support was not only related to the provision of OB facilities; since the pre-production phase, we’ve also assisted the federation from both the organisational and creative point of view, which was highly appreciated. During the tournament week and until the final round on Saturday, we kept a constant dialogue and update with the client’s representatives onsite which resulted in a mutually satisfactory relationship and in the greatest output. Moreover, thanks to a preliminary study of the official rulebook, our 20-member team proved to be knowledgeable about softball rules which meant the richest and most performing TV shooting and highlights,” said Flavia Pilotto, sales manager, Videe.
“We guaranteed top-notch coverage of all the matches and we also were responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies and the ancillary events taking place during the week, thus dramatically raising the quality of the TV broadcast. We closely collaborated with the federation, offering logistic and technical support. We provided customised solutions and implemented different technical requests which enriched the final product. With an eye on the future, we also took the opportunity to start some field tests as far as the GFX live graphics automation is concerned. The outcome was brilliant,” commented Marco Checcacci, broadcast engineer, Videe.
Indeed, Videe guaranteed far more than a standard sporting live broadcast. Careful and innovative camera positioning as well as the aerial footage gave suggestive shots which emphasised the spectacular nature of the game and conveyed the players’ emotions.
“An event of the magnitude of the Women’s Softball World Cup represents a very significant commitment, and receiving all the expressions of esteem, thanks and compliments for the organisation that are coming in from many parts of the world fills me and my team with pride and desire to immediately start working on other events. Part of these compliments, from those who were not present, but also from those who were in Friuli Venezia Giulia, refer to the broadcasting. I am also very happy to highlight this in this case, because when Videe was chosen to carry out the production, I was the first to be aware that we were in good hands. The professionalism of the company, recognised throughout the world, allowed all fans to enjoy superlative footage and experience the World Cup as if they were there with us. A round of applause and special thanks to those who were able to tell us so well,” commented Andrea Marcon, FIBS president .
Base Sport, the house agency of WBSC in charge of TV and marketing rights management, also expressed their satisfaction. “Working with Videe was a very professional yet friendly experience. Even though the sport was new for the crew, their willingness to be receptive and with their vast knowledge in TV production we were able to reach an amazing viewing product for our clients and audience all around the world,” said managing director Miguel Paz Cabrales.
“Our proven experience in the entertainment industry, the versatility of our crew and a skilled creative approach enhanced the quality of the TV product and captivated audiences worldwide. Once again, we succeeded in giving sport an entertainment dimension. Our goal for the near future is actually to expand our presence in the international TV broadcast sporting market. We aim to provide both technical solutions and event management and coordination services. That’s our added value and I’m happy that our clients recognise its worth,” concluded Giulia Mercuri, sales coordinator, Videe.