Weave Creative Media covers Fanatec GT Pro Series with Sony FR7 Cinema Line camera
Esports producer uses full-frame interchangeable lens PTZ camera to capture action at racing simulator challenge.
- Esports specialist required PTZ camera to cover live event with very high image quality, while allowing quick setup at multiple venues
- Cinema Line full-frame PTZ interchangeable lens camera, ILME-FR7
- Cinematic image quality
- Quick transition between camera position presets captures dynamic action in the arena
When we discovered the FR7, we immediately knew that it was the right solution.
Nicholas Boscarello
CEO of Weave Creative Media and broadcast manager of Fanatec GT World Challenge
Streaming racing simulator challenge to esports fans
The Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series World Challenge pits top racing simulator drivers against each other in a high-octance battle on lifelike virtual racetracks.
The competition takes place in a specially constructed arena that’s transported across Europe to a series of venues. The need for quick, easy set-up at each location dictated the choice by Milan-based event producer Weave Creative Media of FR7 PTZ Cinema Line camera for streaming the action to esports fans worldwide. Weave also needed a solution capable of shooting cinematic images plus the operational flexibility of remote control, avoiding the need for camera operators in the arena.
Covering the action with cinematic clarity
“The technology at our event needed to be more flexible, but keeping the same cinematic quality that sports broadcasts normally have” explains Alessio Cicolari, CEO of AK Esports. “Using the FR7 has allowed us to capture the action and bring it to the audience at home, just as if they were in the arena. And as an organiser, this kind of technology allows me to be more flexible in developing our championship and our shows, making them more attractive for the audience at home.”
Fast, flexible set-up
“The show is built inside an arena that travels across Europe five times a year” says Nicholas Boscarello, CEO of Weave and broadcast manager of Fanatec GT World Challenge Esports. “So flexibility and efficiency are key elements to us. Working in such a complex scenario forces the production to be very fast and flexible during setup. In fact, lots of [camera angles?] and heavy equipment such as lights are not an option in a project like this. For our show especially we were looking for a solution that could give us both the flexibility to capture all the gaming simulators we have in the arena, while keeping the highest image quality possible. When we discovered the FR7, we immediately knew that it was the right solution.”
Fast recall of camera positions captures every crucial moment
“In order to give our audience the best show possible, we need to be ready to capture multiple shots at the same time, and often with different lighting and dynamic range conditions between each shot” states Nicholas “So setting up the FR7 at strategic points inside the arena, and thanks to the PTZ feature that it has as remote control and programmable settings, we are now able to recall precise camera movements and positions in a matter of seconds. This allows the director to catch every important moment with similar quality to what we’re used to.”
