Live production has a rhythm all its own. There aren’t second takes, long edit timelines, or chances to fix something in post. Once something happens, it happens, and that pressure is part of what makes our work with One Knoxville SC so exciting.
At Big Slate, we’re usually building stories through carefully planned shoots, thoughtful edits, and polished final cuts. On game day, the work moves differently. We’re capturing the experience while helping shape it in real time.
Every camera move, sponsor segment, crowd shot, and jumbotron moment has to land while the energy of the match is still unfolding. The pace is fast, the window is small, and the margin for error is even smaller. For our team, that’s part of the fun.
The show starts long before kickoff.
A strong live production begins long before the whistle blows or fans are in their seats.
During preseason, our team works with the One Knox team to build the structure of the live show, thinking through sponsor segments, fan moments, camera coverage, timing, transitions, and the overall flow of the game day experience. Once the season begins, all of that planning turns into real-time coordination.
The director works closely with the club to keep the live show moving on schedule, managing timing, coordinating sponsor integrations, and making sure fan segments are ready before they hit the jumbotron. If a crowd feature is coming up, plenty of work has already happened behind the scenes. The fan has been identified, their location has been confirmed, and the team knows where to point the camera.
When it all comes together, the experience feels effortless to the audience, which is usually a pretty good sign that the planning was done right.
Capturing the energy as it happens.
Throughout the stadium, our camera operators capture the moments that define the match day experience.
Using a Sony FX6 cinema camera feeding directly to our crew in the press box, the cam team delivers high-quality live video while quickly shifting from tight player reactions to wide shots of the stadium energy. The setup gives the production a cinematic feel while staying flexible enough to keep up with the pace of live sports.
A great moment might happen on the field, in the stands, near the Scruffs section, or somewhere no one expected. With the right gear and communication, the team can respond quickly and bring those moments into the live feed as they happen.
The result is a live show that feels dynamic, immersive, and connected to what’s actually happening throughout the stadium.
Keep it simple, so it can stay strong.
Behind the scenes, live event production depends on a careful balance of preparation and simplicity. We want a system that works, holds up under pressure, and gives the team room to move when something unpredictable happens.
Before every match, the team runs through extensive testing. Transmission systems, comms, camera feeds, and every piece of gear involved in the show are checked before the production goes live.
Tools like the DJI Transmission system, Benro Hi-Hat tripod, Sigma 60-600 zoom lens, and a reliable comms setup help the team stay flexible while maintaining consistent, broadcast-quality results.
Our Director of Production also plays an important catch-all role in the process, jumping in wherever needed to support the team, troubleshoot issues, and keep things moving when game day inevitably throws something unexpected into the mix. And it always does.
Live sports don’t wait for anyone.
Even with all the preparation in the world, live sports production requires adaptability. The game controls the pace, and we adjust to match it.
Segments move, timing changes, and priorities shift. A sponsor read may need to happen sooner than expected. A crowd moment may disappear before the camera gets there. A play on the field may completely change what needs to be shown next.
That constant adjustment makes live production both challenging and rewarding. Everyone has to stay locked in, communicate clearly, and trust the people around them. When everything clicks, the result feels seamless to the fans watching in the stadium.
That’s the kind of work we love.
Growing alongside One Knox.
One of the best parts of this partnership has been watching the energy around One Knoxville SC grow season after season, with more fans in the stands, more energy on the sidelines, and more people showing up in scarves, cheering from the Scruffs section, and making soccer part of Knoxville’s culture.
We’ve been able to grow alongside that momentum. As the club grows, the production grows with it. The show gets sharper, the moments get bigger, and the fan experience keeps evolving.
For our team, the work feels bigger than delivering a live feed to the jumbotron. We get to be part of a growing sports community right here in our own city. From early matches to packed game days, it has been exciting to watch One Knox continue building something special in Knoxville.
Built for the moment.
Live production is a different kind of storytelling. It’s fast, technical, collaborative, and completely tied to the energy of the moment. Once the show is moving, there isn’t time to overthink it. You prepare, communicate, adapt, and trust the team.
Our work with One Knox gives us the opportunity to bring the match day experience to life for fans in the stadium while supporting a club that continues to grow its presence in Knoxville.
No second takes. No “fix it in post.” Just the moment, the team, and the story unfolding live.