Live Productions & Broadcast Practicum/Internship Description

Application

JMU Sports Network - Live Productions & Broadcast Services - Practicum/Internship Description

We've all enjoyed watching live sports on ESPN, but have you ever wondered how it all happens? How do the announcers know what's coming up next? How do the cameras always get the right shot? How did they get that replay angle? How did they create that graphic so quickly?Introducing, JMU Sports Network; a new, fully immersive, hands-on video production and live broadcast experience for JMU students. Join the team producing over 50 live JMU sporting events for the ESPN+ platform this season, including men's and women's soccer, field hockey, volleyball, baseball, softball, women's lacrosse and more. Students will have the opportunity to learn with industry-standard equipment while filling actual crew positions on our live productions.JMU Sports Network is the live video production arm of JMU Athletics Communications. Every game requires close working relationships with our Media Relations, Game Day Operations, and JMU Sports Properties teams, as well as our coaches and student-athletes, to execute professional-level comprehensive broadcasts.Crew positions include:

Producer: The storyteller. Develop storylines prior to games, communicate directly with on-air talent during broadcasts, oversee execution of sponsorship and commercial elements.
Director: Call the shots. Direct camera operators for specific angles, framing, and shot sequences. Stay one step ahead of the action.
Technical Director: Push the buttons. When the director calls for the next camera, graphic, or replay, the Technical Director makes it happen. Thorough knowledge of the control surface is a must.
Graphics Operator: Show it, don't say it. Graphics is the interface between real time scoreboard data, team and player statistics, sponsorship elements, and more. Required skills include graphic design, editing, and sport/statistical knowledge.
Replay Operator: You can see that again. Through continuous capturing of camera angles the replay operator's first task is delivering Instant Replay as called for by the Director or Producer. Additional duties include team and player highlight packages, emotion bumps, and comprehensive game recaps.
Audio Operator: Do you hear what I hear? Audio is a vital component of a television broadcast. Responsibilities include setting up and mixing audio signals from our on-air announcers, NAT sound mics, music bed playback, and non-commercial video playback audio levels.
Camera Operator: Best seat in the house. Every broadcast is only as good as their camera operators. If the camera doesn't show it, the viewers won't see it. Knowing the gear and understanding the sport is the difference between getting the shot and missing it.
Video Editor: Assist our producers in editing video features and interviews for broadcasts or social media platforms.
Social Media: Assist our social media team with managing the @JMUSportsNet Twitter account to promote upcoming broadcasts, retweet highlights and stories from official JMU team accounts, and spotlight various student opportunities and behind-the-scenes moments.
Engineer/Utility: An extremely important position. Act as tech manager during setup and breakdown to assure necessary equipment is at each position and that all equipment is properly returned and packed at the end of each production. Troubleshoot as necessary during the game if/when anything goes wrong.

Additional opportunities could include roles on a weekly live-to-tape coaches show, football and basketball post-game press conferences, and more.James Madison University Athletics needs your help. Join the JMU Sports Network team today. If interested, please contact Director of Live Productions Mr. Kelly Bowmaster (bowmaskt@jmu.edu), Director of Broadcast Services Emeritus Mr. Curt Dudley (dudleycm@jmu.edu). Any level of experience is welcome whether you have operated a camera or edited a YouTube video, if you've played sports or watch sports on TV, a willingness and readiness to learn is the only prerequisite.

Calendar