08-18-2013, 10:04 AM
The logistics of installing remote cameras is amazing. I've been directly involved in placing remote cameras for launches of the Space Shuttle and indirectly with placement at both NFL and the NCAA regional basketball tournament.
Oddly, NASA was far easier to deal with than the NCAA, which had layers of bureaucracy.
With NASA we had to undergo a background check in advance, then the equipment need to be hand checked both prior to setup (generally done a day in advance) and afterwards. The remotes also had to fire completely independently of any human interaction. That meant setting up the remote to activate at the beginning of the launch window and fire when the shuttle launch commenced. Several hours after launch, we were allowed to retrieve the equipment.
With the NCAA, you had to work through it's rules committee, facilities management, and promotions. Then you had to deal with the facility itself; finally you had to play second fiddle whatever television network owned rights to the game. Each could set it's own rules and each set could be completely incompatible with the other's rules - but you could be sure that none made any realistic sense.
Oddly, NASA was far easier to deal with than the NCAA, which had layers of bureaucracy.
With NASA we had to undergo a background check in advance, then the equipment need to be hand checked both prior to setup (generally done a day in advance) and afterwards. The remotes also had to fire completely independently of any human interaction. That meant setting up the remote to activate at the beginning of the launch window and fire when the shuttle launch commenced. Several hours after launch, we were allowed to retrieve the equipment.
With the NCAA, you had to work through it's rules committee, facilities management, and promotions. Then you had to deal with the facility itself; finally you had to play second fiddle whatever television network owned rights to the game. Each could set it's own rules and each set could be completely incompatible with the other's rules - but you could be sure that none made any realistic sense.