EPTWelcome to episode 14 of eSports Production Value! This week we take a look at the Jib Arms used at MLG Columbus, IPL4 and Dreamhack. However, instead of focusing on this one, albeit cool, thing that no one but the 'big boys' can use I instead focus on the meta of how and why they used them. What you will see if that the lessons learned and the techniques used are applicable to any production. I also introduce you to the idea of bringing 'scale' to your productions. Let's get rolling!
A jib is simply a camera mounted on a small crane-devise. It is weight balanced and often has a thumb toggle to allow the operator to swivel the camera around. The jib arm itself telescopes in and out and allows for very dynamic shots.
I first look at MLG Columbus' use of the jib. This was the first jib used this season and, in general, we really haven't seen them used all that much. When I walked into the MLG arena and saw the jib I was super excited - like really, really excited! However, as I watched how they used the jib arm throughout the weekend I kinda became bummed. I know what something like this is capable of and I was kinda wanting more 'sexy', more zooms and camera whips. That is why they had the jib. right? To be sexy? To bring 'real production value' to the show, right? wrong! Keep reading to find out why I was wrong.
IPL4 on the other hand, I thought, used their jib in a more dynamic way. They swept across the audience as the lights flashed and the music blared. 'THIS is production value!' I I thought as I sat in the dedicated starcraft 2 conference hall in Las Vegas. The lights, the sound, this is super sweet.
Now, Dreamhack. I wasn't at dreamhack but on good-lordy why would I ever want to be? I mean, seriously, with a production as balls out amazing as this was I almost feel like the people at home got a better show that the people in the room (not something I have ever said before, btw). Their camera work wasn't camera movement as much as camera choreography. Their cameras, sets and dedicated lighting truly made it one hell of a production. They were the very definition of sexy. They stretched the use of each element to the max. It was incredible.
Check out the DreamHack video clip starts at 49:34
http://www.twitch.tv/dreamhacktv/b/315814339
So, now we have 3 different shows all using a jib arm and we have seen 3 different uses of that tech. Who was better? Who was best? Who brought the best production? These are the questions I thought I was going to discuss. That is until I actually pondered the notion of not who was the best – typically rated on a 'need-a-sock' scale of 1-to-laundry day – as in who brought the most dynamic show, the sexiest show. If I were to rate on that alone, well, dreamhack has this no contest. HOWEVER! And I want you to listen to this part, what I discovered was that it is not ONLY about the sexy-sexy but it is also about the appropriateness of the venue. Let me introduce you to a filmaking concept call 'scale'.
Scale is the idea of bringing punch to your production; showing off your money, your production acumen but it also just makes a production more interesting to watch. Scale, to me, does 2 things: 1) it does the sexy, the exciting, the interesting, but 2) it also does something else very important and specific to eSports, it shows you that you are not the only person in the room. HUH?
MLG is in an arena. They have Halo to the right, FGC to the left and the open bracket to the rear. Do you think that they could have done all the huge fancy lighting, the darkened room and the booming sound cues? No. IPL4 and dreamhack on the other hand were in dedicated spaces each having full environmental control. They had the luxury of being able to wrap you up and pump the vibe into you. I guess what I am saying is that each venue brought different needs but they all succeeded in doing something that every large LAN production needs to do; they need to show me, the viewer, that I am not the only one in the room. They need to make me, the sitting at home viewer, that there are tons of other people enjoying this production along with me.
So, in the end what I discovered is that Dreamhack did something totally different with the meta of their production. Because it was so polished, because it was so very well done I know that next time I will be sitting at home, feet up enjoying the production because I know that I am probably getting a better show sitting at home than the guys in the room. DH was a production. MLG was an event.
MLG, with the subtle use of the camera jib swept across the audience and showed that, WOW, there are like 2,000 people there. They are all jumping up and waving at the camera they are all having an amazing time! Holy crap! I -need- to be an MLG's next event!
There is a subtle thing that I discovered and, to be honest, I didn't think about this until I was doing the prep for this show MLG did not bring their jib in to show the sexy of scale. They brought their jib in to show the power of scale. They told me that I was not the only one in the room and that I really want to make it out to the next event.
Each show did something different but what we, as eSports fans, need to focus on is not just who brought the sexiest show to town. Who one-up'd everyone else. But we also need to look at the whole of the production and within the capabilities of the venue. It's an odd point I know but it is true and the more I thought about it the more I began to admire the simple use of the jib at the MLG arena but also appreciate the spectacle of the jib at IPL and DH.
Check out the video and let me know what you think. Also, I did an aftershow were I took questions from the folks in the live chat. We talking about running a startup, business books and what the hell my tattoo means. Enjoy!
About me:
I am the product manager at http://iHearteSports.com and I have been working in film and TV for over 10 years. I made this series to bring constructive critique of esports productions and also to pull the curtain back and help smaller productions learn the thought processes of some of the larger productions.
