Week 2 (Amanda)

Hey Everyone,

So for this week's post I thought I would write about the game Tuesday.  I shadowed Game Operations which is pretty much the production side of the game.  They are in charge of what appears during the time outs, quarters, and the half-time show on screen, audio, and the advertisements.

Before the game started a lot went on.  I helped out some interns set up the face-painting, hair-spraying, and sign making tables.  We also set up signs and those big life-size cut outs of the players and Moondog. After that I was introduced to the production staff and we had a meeting with everyone that was helping out so we knew what was going on.  Every event was mapped out onto a timed chart sheet that described the video, audio, and advertisements for that time period and explained who was doing what--the sheet was nicknamed the bible. Everybody at the meeting got a sheet including the production staff, interns, video recording men, Ahmaad & Nicole, members of the Scream Team, the Cavs Crew, and the head, Amanda (not me, ha, but she has an awesome name).  We went over the timed sheet and any changes that might happen during the game.  We're supposed to incorporate advertisements in the breaks so there will be events where fans are chosen to run an obstacle course with lawnmowers or throw basketballs in huge McDonalds cups of coffee to win prizes but sometimes, especially during playoffs, the fans are really excited and we don't want to ruin that excitement so we can "go hot" aka ditch the script and send the Cavs Girls (I can't believe they can dance in those boots!!) out or Scream Team.

Anyways, after the meeting we ate dinner and started to work on the game.  We were on the court for a bit while the players were warming up and so I got to be literally on the court while they were playing! I got to meet Taylor Hicks (he was on American Idol and is singing in Grease in Cleveland, I didn't know that either, ha) who sang the national anthem and I went in his dressing room with another member of Production and we gave him a signed LeBron jersey.  He was really happy and was really into Twittering. Also in the dressing room was a bike crew--I'm not sure exactly what to call them but they did jumps off a ramp and tricks on little children's bikes during half-time. Meanwhile Ahmaad and Nicole were passing out gift cards to fans who were "banning together" a promotion that was sponsored by KeyBank where everybody who went to the game received free wrist and head sweat bands.

Once the game started everybody in the Production crew was wearing head sets that we could speak through (I got a headset but I didn't talk though because I was more shadowing during the game). Amanda made all the calls and would say things like "dissolve this add into Ahmaad and Nicole in 10, 9, 8..." however once it was into the 4th quarter the comments changed a bit.  During the game I was on the floor in the hallway to the VIP Club across from the Celtics bench so I got a great view of the game and I got to hang out with the Scream Team who I learned are really funny.  I got a chance to look into the room where a group of tech guys control the big overhead video screen.  They have about 20 mini TVs that show what each camera is taping and they pick what they want to play, or if they want an add to play, music, or if they want text to appear on the screen.

Once the game was over I was waiting in the tunnel near where the video crew is and I saw some cops walking a fan down the hallway holding him by the back belt-loops of his pants--his feet were barely touching the ground. There's a mini-jail for fans who get really drunk or inappropriate, so don't try anything and think you will get away with it or you will end up like him. Anyways, I was waiting to walk over to the media conference with another Cavs member.  There I sat among the interviewers from ESPN ect. who asked the coaches and LeBron questions.  It was really cool to be that close to them and hear directly their responses to the questions.

So I didn't really do a lot but observe during the game and help out a little but I learned a lot! I thought it would be really stressful for the production crew but everything was so well organized and put together that it ran really nicely.  It was a great experience even though we lost and it was really cool to be behind the scenes during the game and be so close to the players.

Wow, so I wrote A LOT but there was just so much I saw and wanted to share.  I still left some stuff out too but if there's anything you want me to elaborate more on let me know! I also didn't mention any of the stuff I did that morning or in the office this week so if you want more on that let me know too but I've been basically supplementing other Group Event projects and helping out with those.  Any random questions are welcome too. Let's go Cavs--game 6 here we come!