Time for credit where credit is due. I caught almost all of the Earl Strickland vs. Rodney Morris match on ESPN2 last night. I had to watch it via closed captioning because I was at the pool room, but I have to tell you that they finally got something right in televised pool. The camera work was fantastic, the commentary was professional and interesting (at least on the captioning), and, most importantly, the match was REAL POOL. Race to 11 games, winner breaks, on a tough table - with NO shot clock either. From what I could tell, the audience only clapped when someone made an actual good shot. It was like watching an Accu-Stats match! I think Pat Fleming may even have been the director.
What I especially liked is how they used graphics to explain simple rules like 'ball-in-hand' or pool specific terminology rather than have the commentators waste time doing it. I still dislike the Sardo Rack and having the nine racked on the spot, and Jim Wych uses too much Canadian and British terminology for an American audience, but you can't have everything. They also use that direct overhead camera too much, IMO, but it appears as though it's only done when the telestrator is in action, so I could tough it out. All the actual shotmaking was shown using angled cameras (you know, like in tennis and football) so we finally had three dimensions.
All in all, it was excellent. It makes the last telecast from the World Summit look like it was done by grade schoolers (which it may have been). For those in the know, it showcases especially how much better a taped telecast can be if the post-production work is handled by an actual post-production crew, rather than by the producer and director on hand at the event.
Next thing you know, they'll be televising one pocket.
What I especially liked is how they used graphics to explain simple rules like 'ball-in-hand' or pool specific terminology rather than have the commentators waste time doing it. I still dislike the Sardo Rack and having the nine racked on the spot, and Jim Wych uses too much Canadian and British terminology for an American audience, but you can't have everything. They also use that direct overhead camera too much, IMO, but it appears as though it's only done when the telestrator is in action, so I could tough it out. All the actual shotmaking was shown using angled cameras (you know, like in tennis and football) so we finally had three dimensions.
All in all, it was excellent. It makes the last telecast from the World Summit look like it was done by grade schoolers (which it may have been). For those in the know, it showcases especially how much better a taped telecast can be if the post-production work is handled by an actual post-production crew, rather than by the producer and director on hand at the event.
Next thing you know, they'll be televising one pocket.
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