Whisper Films uses Gearhouse flyaway set-up for F1 highlights production

Gearhouse Broadcast is providing a bespoke flyaway production system for Whisper Films’ highlights coverage of this year’s F1 motor racing season for Channel 4.

For each of the 21 Grand Prix races during the 2019 World Championship, the technical facilities firm is making available Sony PMW-X500 cameras, Canon broadcast lenses, Motorola digital radios, Audio Assist high power kits and backpacks and Wisycom radio mics and IEMs.

Wisycom RF-over-fibre is being used to allow the highlights production to take place in London, regardless of the location of the Grand Prix.

To do this, all RF-over-fibre cameras and presentation microphones are streamed in real-time back to the UK where the video and audio signals are recorded and edited.

The flyaway system weights 2.4 tonnes and has been optimised for international shipping, according to the company.

Discussing the decision to partner with Gearhouse, Sunil Patel, chief executive of Whisper Films said: “Keeping transportation costs and the amount of time our crew have to be on-site to a minimum was a key objective for us. Whether we’re in Monte Carlo, Montreal or Singapore, this solution allows us to work efficiently, effectively and consistently, delivering a quality output that keeps Formula One available for British fans to watch on free-to-air television.”

Ryan Campbell, Gearhouse’s Formula 1 unit manager, who worked as the technical consultant on the project, added: “This has really challenged us to ask the question; what do we need to make this work? From lightweight racks and flight cases, to deep analysis of rigging at each circuit, we’ve come up with a solution that makes the most of the resources available.”

Channel 4 is showing highlights of all the qualifying and F1 races in 2019, along with full live coverage of the British GP.