DEAN TV LEVELS UP: Behind the scenes Two-Camera Debut for GNAC Field Hockey Championship

Director Matthew Harkey operating a camera for Dean TV. Photo Courtesy: Pete Leger

The excitement of a championship game isn't limited to the field; it extends behind the cameras, where student crews execute complex technical feats to bring the action to fans.

This was certainly the case for the recent GNAC Field Hockey Championship, where Dean TV, the student broadcasting arm of Dean College, successfully pulled off its most ambitious field hockey coverage yet: a full two-camera production.

The decision to double the camera count marked a significant step up from standard single-camera sports coverage, designed to capture the high speed and intense drama of a title match. The challenge was immense: Field hockey is notoriously fast paced, making it difficult for a single camera operator to follow the ball while also capturing player reactions and crucial sideline moments.

When speaking with the head coordinator Gregg Seibert, he stated that “This championship required us to think bigger. We knew this was the biggest game of the season, and to do justice to the quality of the competition, we needed a setup that could handle simultaneous action. The two-camera system gives us options—we can hold a wide shot on the play area while getting clean cut-in shots for close calls or immediate reactions.”

Dean Field Hockey celebrating the GNAC Championship. Photo Courtesy: Harrison Soep

The success of a multi-camera shoot rests on not only Gregg Seibert's shoulders, but also on the directors who call the shots in real-time. For the GNAC Final, directors Matthew Harkey and Derrik Maguire were instrumental in maximizing the value of the new setup.

When speaking with Director Matthew Harkey, he stated that “Having the ability to use a second camera allows us to show different perspectives of the game. We used the secondary camera that had zoom in lens and was used when there were large amounts of players in front of goal while still being able to give the audience a good shot of the action.”

He then went on to explain how they used the zoom camera to show the emotions of the players after goals or big plays as it offered them different angles to work with.

The experience served as a practical masterclass for the entire Dean TV crew. From setting up the expanded equipment load to communicating complex transitions via headsets, the students demonstrated exceptional technical competence under high-pressure conditions.

The two-camera debut for the GNAC Field Hockey Championship proved that

Dean TV is ready to tackle increasingly complex productions, elevating both the fan experience and the educational value for its student participants.