High School Football

Hats off to Gary McCullough of Garmac TV, and the folks in Charleston's local Fox & myTV Charleston. Why? Just about every local affiliate has tried to put high school football on the air. In the past, it's been coax running to a switcher, using ENG cameras. Some would have instant replays, some wouldn't.

McCullough has tried to take his experience producing and directing the Carolina games to a local level for years. Persistence pays off. Gary said "High School football works in other markets, and there's no reason it can't work in Charleston. But I won't do it if we're not going to do it right."

McCullough started as a talented tape op, working Presidential debates, and a multitude of live sporting, corporate, and entertainment events. His love of football prompted him to move up to produce and direct the Gamecocks for CSS. He even figured out a way to whip up a cart cam with the budget of a hand-held camera! Now he's responsible for the re-play show that airs on Fox Sports South.

So how is football coverage different now? Glass and triax, courtesy of Robert Warren Mobile Tv. What's that mean? Long lenses, 66 x with doublers, four standard camera positions with a production truck that contains a real switcher, replay machines, graphics, audio and engineering. Triax is a "one cable does all" solution that's very common in the production world. It's an RF transmitter & receiver that carries a variety of signals (including power) and enables the video operator to constantly adjust settings to the cameras from the mobile production unit. Can't be done with an ENG camera and coax cable. Even identical cameras just don't seem to match without painting them.

My TV Charleston hit the streets and found a variety of sponsors and are proud to present Thursday Night Lights that airs live Thursdays at 7:30. Great job!

Photo courtesy of Post & Courier Staffer. Thanks a bunch, but I'm sorry I don't remember your name.