Collegiate Times

While viewers at home watched and listened to Len Elmore and Mike Patrick broadcast the game between Duke and Virginia Tech, a behind the scenes flurry of activity was responsible for making sure the production went off without a hitch.

A crew of 41 ESPN employees ranging from a producer, director, editors, camera operators, and an audio mixer all prepared for hours before others even begin to think about the game. It's all part of a job that sees most production members work 100 events per year and spend 200 days a year on the road.

A 7:02 p.m. tipoff means the crew must begin work at 9 a.m. accumulating all the necessary information to ensure a smooth production.

From inside a giant trailer parked behind Cassell Coliseum that holds enough TVs, computers, and soundboards to stock a Best Buy, the crew begins its day by obtaining every piece of information possible on each team. Director Dan Reagan then discusses each camera assignment, and the necessary equipment is set up throughout the Coliseum.

 A total of nine cameras are used for the broadcast, all of which carry live shots from different angles including all around the baskets, those focused on the coaches, and general crowd shots. During the game, Reagan sits facing a wall of flat screen TVs that carry each shot. From there he orchestrates the broadcast, deciding when to cut to different cameras for the best angle.

"It's like chess, you've got to think one or two moves ahead," said Reagan, who has been a director for 22 years. "You try to do that as a director, you try to think one or two shots ahead."  

In one section of the truck before the game, tape operators edit video highlight clips that will run during the game. These packages are based off the storylines or players that Elmore and Patrick will discuss during breaks in the action. Once the pair begin discussing one of those topics, the producer tells the crew to pull up these packages.

"The producer kind of dictates what's going to happen and what may the talent may look at and what might be a good story for the night," said tape operator John Flaherty. "If we do something on Virginia Tech's big wins against Duke, then we have something they can show the (announcers), and say 'I've got this package to use'."

The back and forth history between Duke and Tech since the Hokies joined the ACC is one of the main themes of the game. Clips showing Tech's upset of the Blue Devils three seasons ago, Sean Dockery's 40-foot shot at the buzzer to thwart a Tech upset at Cameron Indoor Stadium in 2005, and Tech's win at Cameron last season make up a package that lend visual support to the announcers' narration.

Deron Washington's exploits against Duke also merit special attention from the crew. Washington's posterizing dunk over Greg Paulus and game-saving blocked shot last year, his kick to the face of Lee Melchionni two season's ago, and the webpage showing the YouTube search results for "Deron Washington" are all edited into packages to be used at certain points in the game.

As soon as the video components are finalized, the rest of the production team adds intros, background audio, and additional graphics to make them the polished products that are seen on TV.

Six highlight asand a pair of interviews with Tech head coach Seth Greenberg are prepared hours before game time and are ready to be pulled up whenever there is a stoppage in the game.

In the production section of the trailer, several graphics are prepared before the game. Associate producer Anthony Holeman uses information provided by ESPN's research department and individual teams to build a cache of ready-to-use visuals.

Graphics such as starting lineups, "Star Watch," injuries and surgeries of key players, ACC News & Notes, and the Top 10 poll are standard and organized far in advance.

Holeman also prepares graphics that will provide vital background information about the game for viewers at home. For this game, he prepares a graphic showing that Tech has had 37 starts by freshmen this season, the most in the ACC. Holeman also prepares several graphics pertaining to Duke head coach Mike Kryzewski and his place on the all-time and active coaching wins list.

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