Back in Miami Once Again - Live Broadcast to Trinidad
I love Miami Carnival! Broadcasting last year’s event was such a learning experience (flip back to my earlier blog for more on that). So I was very excited to return and be involved with the live production of this year’s festival. TTT - the television broadcaster in Trinidad carried the parade live and we also taped celebrity interviews from the J’ouvert mass and the concert stage for WIN Radio online. One of the reasons that I like Miami Carnival is that the way it is set up is a broadcaster’s dream. Many of the other carnivals around the world are difficult to televise because they are spread out or revellers navigate through the city streets. The J’ouvert and Panarama (Pan competition) are held at the Central Broward Regional Park and the parade/concert is held at the Miami Fairgrounds. Masqueraders parade along a route into the fairgrounds and on the opposite side there is a wicked Soca concert happening. We were able to combine backstage interviews with masqueraders parading across the judging stages for an amazing live broadcast. Those watching at home were able to get the full carnival experience with great sight lines (we were positioned by the judge’s tables) and exclusive interviews with big names like: Nailah Blackman, Kevin Lytle, Skinny Banton and Teddyson John. This year I partnered with Lisa Wickham, phenomenal producer with TTT to execute the broadcast, she is a master of calm under pressure! The best part of the whole experience was working with host DLife once again. He’s not just talent, but also knowledgeable on the technical side. It helps that he also speaks “Trini” so he knows how to get things done within the Caribbean community. We’re already planning for next year - Miami 20-20! Lights, Camera, Whine!