Posts by Frank Scacciaferro
Humans Need Not Apply
Here is just what the world doesn’t need: another person pontificating on the future of AI and its place in our world. But I’m going to do it anyway, keeping in mind that my world is the entertainment production industry. As you know, over the years, I have always been one of the voices who…
Read MoreAI Need Not Apply: Rebuttal to blog: Humans Need Not Apply
Before you read this rebuttal blog, you need to (or I suggest you should) read the original: Humans Need Not Apply. The funny thing is, I wrote both the original — “Humans Need Not Apply” — and this one, “AI Need Not Apply,” and I agree with both! To recap: the original blog outlined and…
Read MoreFrank Scacciaferro: 3 Months of a Freelance Specialty Camera Operator
Frank, a 35‑year‑old broadcast robotics camera operator, shows how mastering robo heads, 4K high‑frame‑rate capture and wireless systems—paired with tight crew collaboration—wins top sports and live‑event gigs. He shares intense travel and stadium‑specific rigging for Thursday Night Football, NHL hockey, MLB Playoff Baseball (including a wireless 4K dirt‑cam with 250 fps for the World Series)…
Read MoreBrian Laitalle: Cinematographer for Film & TV
Chance introductions and persistent networking took Brian Lataille from childhood photography to Steadicam, tower, railcam and aerial rig operating and occasional DP work across TV, film, live events and awards shows. Practical advice centers on saying yes to learning gigs, mastering rig mechanics, balance and safety, cultivating soft skills and fitness, and accepting the freelance…
Read MoreMike Musselman: Assistant Director of Engineering
Mike Musselman, a former jazz trumpet player turned theater production expert, now works as an assistant engineer at NEP Specialty Capture (Fletcher Sports), specializing in advanced camera technology for sports broadcasting. His notable project and responsibility, “TRACE,” is an automated camera system for tennis that leverages LIDAR and AI for enhanced player tracking. Mike emphasizes…
Read MoreFrank Scacciaferro: World Athletic Championships
The WAC (World Athletic Championships) was hosted at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon isn’t your typical collegiate track and field event. Then again neither was the broadcast tech and crew used to capture and present these events. In 2022 Frank Scacciaferro was part of an elite team covering the four-week road trip that…
Read MoreGrateful Dead’s “60 Years Later” Show
🎸 Grateful Dead: 60 Years Later — Behind the Golden Gate Park Gig | Interview with Mike Fortunato Say “Grateful Dead” to anyone from 18 to 80, and odds are they know the band. For six decades, the Dead have inspired one of the most loyal fan bases in music history — a community that…
Read MoreBobby Owsinski: Creating Music with A.I.
Curious about how AI is shaking up music production? Yeah, us too. That’s why we sat down with Bobby Owsinski, the author of The Musician’s AI Handbook, to talk about how technology is transforming the creative process in the studio. If you’re in the world of music or audio, you probably already know Bobby’s name.…
Read MoreMark Conklin: Performer, Songwriter, Music Executive
From performer to songwriter to music executive. From New York to Nashville, Mark Conklin’s story is one you can’t miss. As an artist, songwriter, and producer, his list of accomplishments is staggering. He is a Grammy-nominated artist. As a songwriter/producer, he has been listed on Billboard’s Blues top ten and Billboard’s Breakout top forty. His…
Read More“J3” (John Allen III): Front of House Engineer Pt. 2
What do the Foo Fighters, Rolling Stones, Tommy Lee, MTV World Stage, Motley Crue, Lollapalozza, Kid Rock, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show have in common? It’s all part of the J3 story. “J3” (John Allen III) landed a major part either on tour as a Front Of House engineer, or song writer, or singer,…
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