THE CUSTOMER
Rugby Australia is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in Australia. It has relied on Gravity Media – then branded Gearhouse Broadcast – for the past few years to provide production facilities across national and elite levels of rugby within Australia.
THE PROJECT
As part of a programme to improve both player welfare and officiating standards within the game, Rugby Australia required a mission critical referee communications, judicial replay (TMO) and head injury assessment (HIA) solution. It wanted an easy-to-use and quick-to-deploy system that could be rolled out for international test matches, Super Rugby fixtures and other select games held throughout Australia.
THE APPROACH
Gravity Media deployed its specialist SportsCom solution. This includes SimplyLive’s Ref&Box multi-channel official review tool, as well as an RF-based comms system for on-field officials and links between the television match official (TMO) and referee, and the TMO and OB truck. Additional comms panels are also installed pitchside at the HIA location and in the medical room inside the stadium so that further information, repeat camera feeds or clips can be easily and quickly requested and proposed actions discussed.
For each match, a server is placed within the TV compound and connected to the camera feeds from the OB truck. Up to 16 feeds are then distributed via Ethernet to the two main SimplyLive Ref&Box systems that are used by the TMO and the HIA assessor, while a mirrored system is also set-up in the medical room.
THE OUTCOME
With Gravity Media’s SportsCom solution, the TMO can quickly review an incident that may have been missed, or require immediate action. Using an intuitive touchscreen interface, they can independently look at replays from multiple camera angles, vary the playback speed to provide the clearest possible view, and if necessary, clip and archive incidents for use later.
The HIA assessor, typically an independent medical professional, is now able to instantly recall video replays to better understand how an injury occurred, if a head was involved, and whether the player needs to be assessed for concussion to determine if they’re fit to continue. What they see through the Ref&Box is mirrored so that team medical staff can also learn more about the injury in real-time and decide how best to treat the player.
Gravity Media’s solution has enabled Rugby Australia to achieve its objectives of providing greater support to match officials, medical personnel and players. And through Gravity Media’s innovative solution and choice of technology, non-specialist users are able to operate the systems easily and intuitively with minimal training, while set-up times, equipment footprint and operational costs are all kept to a minimum.
THE CUSTOMER
Premiership Rugby is the prime English professional rugby union competition. The Premiership comprises the top 12 clubs in the country.
THE PROJECT
Premiership Rugby’s objective was to provide at every ground big screen content that engaged, educated and entertained at all times. Gravity Media – then branded Input Media – was commissioned to help, thanks to the reputation of our big screen services.
As well as for the RFU at Twickenham, we produce content for screen presentations on match days at Wembley for The FA, The Emirates for Arsenal and at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea.
THE APPROACH
As part of this project and to help to realise their ambitions, Gravity Media has supported Premiership Rugby by developing an on-brand look and feel to the Big screen graphics at every Premiership match.
Our team of designers’ skills excel in creating eye catching graphics specifically for use on Big Screens so we designed a graphics package which can was delivered and integrated into each of the twelve clubs’ existing match day operation.
THE OUTCOME
The three-year plan is underway and uses our experienced producers and operators to support the launch of this uniform big screen service for Premiership Rugby.
THE CUSTOMER
Pitch International is a leading sports marketing agency that specialises in the representation of media and partnership rights on behalf of some of the most prestigious organisations in global sport.
THE PROJECT
Pitch International was looking for a digital asset management solution to both improve the file-based workflow of its production team, and deliver as a sales tool for archive clips, rushes and programme masters to support its sales team.
THE APPROACH
Gravity Media – then branded Input Media – was best placed to provide Pitch with a serviced solution, with its centrally managed digital archive management system that allows customers or their partners, to search, view and commercialise their footage in any format from any location. Designed with sport production in mind, it was the perfect solution.
THE OUTCOME
Our digital archive service allows Pitch International to control the centralised store of its digital archive, and to distribute content to other partners’ portals from a single managed point.
THE CUSTOMER
The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) is the governing body for rugby league in New South Wales, Australia, and is a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
State of Origin is the pinnacle of Australian rugby league; it’s the annual best-of-three match series between two state representative sides: the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.
THE PROJECT
NSWRL engaged Input Media to produce a one-hour documentary special that followed Brad Fittler in his first year as NSW Origin coach, as well as exclusive coverage of the team’s preparations for the 2018 series.
NSW were determined to break the Queensland dominance and reclaim the trophy they last won in 2014.
THE APPROACH
As the official ‘behind the scenes’ film crew, our crew enjoyed unprecedented access to the team, and witnessed some amazing moments and unique scenes normally reserved for players and support staff.
From selection process to team announcement, onto the training field and back in the locker room, our crew was immersed with the team, capturing the action as it happened and gaining on-the-spot thoughts and insights from players and coaching staff alike.
Filming started before the 2018 series began, and we were there as the team prepared for Game 1 at the iconic MCG in Melbourne on 6 June, then to Sydney for Game 2, where NSW sealed the series victory, and finally to Brisbane on 11 July.
THE OUTCOME
With the series now complete, we’re currently in stage two of the production. This will include filming of post-series interviews with players, coaches and other support staff as we move into the post-production phase and delivery.
