Coloured Visions from Rycote

Rycote Produces Coordinated Windjammer For NEP Visions' Outside Broadcasts

Client: UK Outside Broadcast Specialist NEP Visions

Project: High-definition Sports Broadcasting for Sky Sports

UK Outside Broadcast specialists NEP Visions had a problem: at many of the large sporting events they were covering for Sky and other broadcasters, their beautiful wide shots of pitches, stadia and track events were being marred by an abundance of shaggy grey shapes. Rycote windshields, to be precise.

"We couldn't do without our Rycote windshields, but at some events, there seemed to be an awful lot of them on camera, especially in our wide-angle shots" explains NEP Visions' Deputy Head of Sound Neville Hooper. "So we wondered if Rycote might be able to custom-produce them in colours that would blend in a bit better."

Not only were Rycote happy to custom-manufacture some Windjammer in a different colour, they suggested supplying NEP Visions with a variety of tones. "We then realised we could potentially match colours to suit the sponsors at our events," continues Neville Hooper. "We now use white windjammer near Sony adverts, green near Heineken ads, red for Vodaphone ads, and blue for Ford. The results look great, and the event sponsors love them, as there are more objects on screen harmonising with their corporate colours, not detracting from them."

Rycote have now supplied NEP Visions with two sets of coloured windjammer, each for use in one of Visions' various large-scale HD OB vehicles. "Just because our windjammer are supplied in standard-issue Rycote grey by default, doesn't mean they all have to be that way," explains Gabby Davies, Rycote's Sales and Marketing Manager. "If you could benefit from a special run in different colours, contact us."