Feld Entertainment Brings Back Monster Energy AMA Supercross With Focus on Crew Safety NBC Sports' production partner stringently followed CDC guidelines By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - 10:40 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
As U.S. sports make a gradual comeback from the depths of the coronavirus, motorsports is leading the return to live event production. Along with MotoAmerica Superbike, NBC Sports' presentation of Monster Energy AMA Supercross returned this past Sunday in Salt Lake City's Rice-Eccles Stadium. For Feld Entertainment, the network's production partner, putting on a great broadcast was an objective, but the well-being of all onsite crew members was of utmost importance.
All credentialed personnel were required to socially distance and adhere to CDC-issued guidelines.
It's a new environment and a new challenge for all of us, says Dave Prater, senior director, operations, two wheel, Feld Entertainment, but our Supercross group within Feld Entertainment was really cooperative. The organization of everyone from the [Utah] governor's office and the state and local health departments to the race teams and athletes went really well.
The Necessary Steps: Testing, Temperature Checks 48 Hours Before Race Day
To establish a safe environment, Prater and his team deemed it necessary to establish a health infrastructure with thorough testing prior to the day of the race.
Our plan was entailed within two documents that were sent to everyone involved, he says. All of the race teams, athletes, and staff signed a health and safety commitment that you were committing to follow; the other [document] was a health questionnaire. Once they arrived in Utah, everyone was tested for COVID-19, waited 48 hours for the results, and then we got to work.
Like Feld Entertainment, NBC Sports practiced social distancing with post-race interviews conducted from 6 ft. away.
With nearly 700 credentialed personnel for last weekend's effort, which is about 50% of the crew for a normal event, these procedures ensured that the health of all involved wouldn't be compromised. After the initial testing phase, medical examinations and temperature checks continued to be administered.
We set up a secure perimeter around the pits as well as the stadium, and, when you entered the perimeter every day, your temperature was taken, says Prater. A face mask was required at all times. We let everybody know and said, Look, there's obviously going to be less people, so you're going to be asked to, in some cases, play multiple roles,' and everybody pulled together.
Proceed With Caution: Onsite Protocols Include Distancing, Sanitization Equipment
Inside the home of football at the University of Utah, athletes zoomed across a dirt surface with reckless abandon, but, in the compound, the production crew were mindful of each other and followed and enforced CDC guidelines. Within NEP's onsite mobile units, the crew made sure to adhere to social-distancing regulations by leaving ample space between designated areas.
With no fans at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium for initial races, Feld Entertainment may install an aerial camera system for upcoming races.
In addition, cross-contamination between crews was prevented by a race-day policy.
We broke down into functional groups because we tried to limit exposure to [our crew], Prater explains. We had three different groups in three separate mobile units, and they [weren't able to] associate with the other units or the groups. They stayed as far apart as they could from each other. [That] helped in the social-distancing portion but made things more challenging to do multiple roles.
In addition to increased space for each employee, all crew members were required to wear personal protective equipment in the form of a mask, and hand-sanitization stations were scattered around the compound.
We were just following the federal and state guidelines to a T, Prater adds. I think [our onsite team] gets it since everyone has lived through this for the past couple of months. They all want to finish the Supercross season.
A Template for Future Efforts: The Series' Final Six Races Ahead
On Sunday, Prater deployed a 12-camera show, fewer than the typical 19, for the first live competition since March 7 in Daytona Beach, FL. Despite having to cut a few camera positions, he is thinking of implementing additional technology to enhance subsequent broadcasts even without fans in the stands.
Face masks were a common sight during last weekend's Monster Energy AMA Supercross broadcast.
We tried to shoot within the stadium walls as best we could, but it was almost impossible to eliminate the sight of empty seats, he says. We aren't allowed to do anything different on Sunday, but we're looking to install an [aerial] camera system, which wouldn't be easy to do with people in the stands. That will give us another look.
Although Feld Entertainment's camera complement may change, Prater is committed to maintaining an atmosphere that prioritizes safety.
We have six more events, or about 2 weeks, left, and we'll do exactly the same thing that we did for the first one, he notes. We don't plan on changing anything. But everyone came in Monday morning with a smile, so, even though [our crew] knows this is a different situation, they're embracing it and going forward with a positive attitude.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross rolls on with Round 12 action on Wednesday, June 3 from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Coverage begins with qualifying at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Gold and continues with gate drop from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on NBC Sports Network.
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
Feld Entertainment Brings Back Monster Energy AMA Supercross With Focus on Crew Safety NBC Sports' production partner stringently followed CDC guidelines By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor 
