FerroTV Shows
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 the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and networking in the tech industry, while also discussing the future of sports broadcasting, which may increasingly rely on automation and remote production. He encourages newcomers to focus on understanding technology, particularly IP and computer systems, to thrive in the field.
Key Takeaways:
- Mike Musselman’s career path shows how adaptable skills (music → theater → broadcast engineering) can translate into success in sports technology.
- Fletcher Sports focuses on delivering “sports from a different perspective” using remotely operated and high-speed camera systems to create unique angles.
- The Trace project is an automated tennis camera system that uses LIDAR + AI to track players and cover matches with fewer operators, reducing production costs.
- Muslin argues automation isn’t meant to replace humans, but to expand coverage—especially for courts and matches that were previously too expensive to broadcast.
- “Robo” cameras in this context are typically remote-controlled camera heads (joystick-operated), not fully autonomous robots.
- AI improved player tracking beyond simple color detection, enabling the system to identify and follow players more intelligently in busy environments.
- Training the AI still involves manual data collection/annotation today, but there’s a vision for more autonomous, self-improving learning in the future.
- Storytelling remains central: technology supports the broadcast, but the goal is still to craft compelling narratives around athletes and events.
- Muslin emphasizes networking, strong work ethic, and continuous learning—especially around technology/IP workflows—as the industry becomes more digital.
- The future trend is toward more automation, more streaming-driven content volume, and more remote production where operators can run systems off-site.
