An email to us from the guy who's in charge of all the technical aspects of Sochi.
Every two years as I sit here on the night of Closing - watching the world biggest television show editing and wrapping up an incredible 18 Day (or 18 Month) Journey……….
I am constantly amazed by what people can do as a team.
Whether that is the US Team, or the other National Teams, or the NBC Olympics Team.
The collective efforts of all of you certainly adds up to way more than I ever could have imagined.
This has been a longggggg road to get here……
Possibly our hardest logistical Olympics ever, and even though we knew that would probably be the case, there was no reduction in scope or simplification.
It is a testament to the incredible efforts and passion of all of you that we could pull this off so flawlessly.
When you consider how many thing had to go right to get through these 18 days… it is truly amazing!
Planning for 18 months with countless camera surveys, ceremonies mtgs, construction mtgs, telco mtgs, audio and video splits
Shipping over 120 sea containers and getting them thru customs.
Getting over 50,000 parts to the right place at the right time.
Getting 2500 visas, airplane seats, hotel rooms, and crew jackets
Serving untold number of excellent meals.
Building and Installing the IBC and the Studios in the most difficult of circumstances.
Running miles and miles of cable in the mountains and stadiums.
The mad dash of the OB units arriving 10 days before Air and the incredible efforts to get them and all of the venues ready in those 10 days.
Standing up and testing a broadcast plant that rivals the production power and complexity of any other NBC facility… one that is assembled in 65 days, tested for 14 days, Used for 28 days, and then torn down in 10 days.
Countless people working way too many hours with a passion for creating the best possible television and digital products no matter how hard it is.
12 Hrs of NBCSN per day, PR feeds till 6am, overnight turnaround edits at the venues, Streams and Apps and Highlights, and Gold Zones, Reverse Off Tubes and 4 Sheets of Curling!
Pioneering new digital workflows, and super-efficient production techniques that most companies would not try across town let alone half way across the globe.
And taking 2500 people, some who are have never met before, others who have many games under their belts, and getting them all pulling in the same direction for the most complex undertaking in sports broadcasting.
Others in the industry have come to expect this from all of us, but you all know it is anything BUT everyday, and it anything BUT just another sports remote…….
It is truly Extraordinary!!!
Thank You all for your passion and dedication to this very special project.
I feel very lucky and blessed to be a part of it.
See you back home
Travel Safe
dave
