DGA Productions Chooses Teradek and SmallHD for Safe Distancing on Location

Will McAuliffe is happy to be back at work. After a two and a half-month hiatus DGA Productionsis relying on new stricter COVID 19 protocols keeping him busy as Equipment Manager. Located in Watertown, Massachusetts, the company is known for its full-service production capabilities ranging from ad campaigns, to commercial content, human interest and sports. A one-stop shop, they are ready to supply it all, from creative to top-of-the-line gear to final edit.

“Things are picking up”, McAuliffe says, “We’ve done commercials and marketing videos for businesses trying to pivot and move forward. Tomorrow we have a shoot that’s capturing the pandemic and how restaurants are coming back. It’s an interesting mix. Everyday is something new.”

One of the first production jobs he returned to was a sponsored web video about the local running community, Heartbreak Hill Running Co. His colleague Josh Mercado is a member. The goal was to get a community feel despite the hardship of quarantine running.

 “We kept the crew very lean. Josh doubled up as producer/director and talent. I was the DP, camera crew and MoVI operator. We made sure we were wearing masks and drove separately to all the different locations.” The key to making the shoot happen was having the Teradek Bolt 1000 XT transmitter with the SmallHD 703 Bolt 7” wireless HD monitor and receiver. “This allowed me, as the MoVI operator, to successfully get all the shots needed while Josh, who was directing, was able to watch what was happening from a safe distance. The 703 Bolt has been a huge lifesaver because of its mobility.”

The following week DGA Productions accepted another shoot that required heavy gimbal-work with a Freefly MoVI fully equipped with Teradek wireless equipment, including Teradek RT wireless lens control and once again, zero-delay video with Teradek Bolt and the SmallHD 703 Bolt.

What’s McAuliffe’s take home for shooting in the age of COVID? “Keep it small— 3-4 person crews are becoming the new norm. Wear face masks and go wireless with a Teradek Bolt transmitter and SmallHD 703 Bolt monitor/receiver. Plus, we learned the new key to all productions now isn’t gaff tape—it’s been replaced by hand sanitizer, and lots of it!” Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGs63UL2NTU

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