Anaheim, CA-Videocam, specializing in corporate/event staging, provided video equipment and its expertise in broadcast applications to the live series finale of "Survivor: Thailand," which aired on the CBS network December 19, 2002. Similar to the survivors in the series, Videocam had no margin for error in a tense, demanding environment that included a live national broadcast with over 20 million viewers.
Videocam provided two 4x4 Sony RVP-411D video walls that were integrated into the set, which was a replica of the actual tribal council set used in the Thailand episodes. One critical aspect of the project was the need to perfectly match and balance both video walls as well as colorize the screens to achieve the required "on-camera" look. The Videocam engineering team worked closely with CBS video engineers and the staff art director and Survivor production designer to attain the exact imagery required for the live broadcast.
"Redundancy was another key issue that was addressed extensively in the planning stages," said Kevin Glenn of Videocam. "With 16 cameras covering the live show and the video walls appearing in all of the wide shots, every measure was taken to ensure the walls were operating independently, even down to the wall processors."
He added that the walls were fed by separate component serial digital video feeds from the Stage 36 control room.
In addition to the live broadcast, Videocam provided a large rear screen and two 5,000 lumen projectors for the finale party immediately following the broadcast. Videocam previously supplied projection for the second and third seasons of "Survivor" as well.
"The CBS and 'Survivor' staff are always outstanding to work with", said Glenn. "We appreciate their high technical standards and the synergistic relationship between our teams."
