Mark Gleason - Network Sports Camera Operator & Radio DJ

Sports In The Making

Mark Gleason spends time with Don to talk about everything related to sports as a camera operator. He has worked on ESPN’s Armed Forces Classic and the Carrier Classic, countless Major League Baseball games and National Football League games. Prior to Game 2 of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia, Mark was at his camera position in centerfield to explain how a camera works and what the controls are. He also shows his passion for his career and says that when he watches a game after he’s worked on it is an out-of-body experience.

LOG:

00:00 - Introduction to Episode #41

00:40 - Episode Introduction to Mark Gleason.

01:30 - Images from Mark.

01:45 - Intro via Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

03:30 - How Mark got into media by way of radio at KCBQ in San Diego.

05:10 - Mark made his way to an audio video company and how he worked with the San Diego Padres.

09:00 - How radio was Mark’s first love and how he wanted to entertain people.

12:00 - How “Mark’s Groovy Trip,” Mark’s radio program started.

16:00 - What it takes to be a broadcast camera operator.

17:12 - Mark shows his “headshot sheets,” a print out of all the players in the NLCS and the voices Mark hears in his headset.

19:50 - Mark explains which cameras are on a baseball field — Low Third base.

20:43 - Camera 2 — High Home

21:05 - Camera 3 - High First

21:40 - Camera 4 - Centerfield

22:20 - Camera 5 - Low First

23:15 - Camera 6 - Centerfield Tight

23:55 - Camera 7 - High Third

25:08 - How many cameras on bigger shows.

25:50 - What fans say to Mark when he’s at his camera.

27:00 - Mark shows all of the parts of a camera with program monitor, focus, zoom and how much the cameras cost.

29:05 - The talkback button and zoom extender and lens length.

29:55 - How the skill level of an operator can determine how hands-on a director is.

31:28 - Cameras shoot for replay operators when they are not live and what they look for.

33:00 - What goals Mark has when shooting an event (emotion).

34:55 - How camera coverage is different with sports other than baseball.

36:10 - High profile events Mark has worked on (Armed Forces Classic) and how he traveled around the world shooting camera.

37:55 - Working on the “Carrier Classic” for ESPN.

39:03 - How watching his camera work after a game is an out-of-body experience.

41:00 - The events that Mark has worked on that have a special significance and how this business validated his career to his dad.

43:50 - How Mark stays warm in cold weather when shooting camera.

45:50 - Mark’s advice to aspiring camera operators and how the younger generation wants to do other types of camera work such as drones.

47:25 - The two types of shooters on a tv production.

48:00 - The special people he’s worked with in tv.

49:04 - What Mark loves about what he does (he helps the viewer at home experience the game).

51:05 - Where people can find “Mark’s Groovy Trip.”

52:23 - Mark’s most cherished credential.

53:05 - Mark’s favorite sports movie.

53:58 - Thanks to Mark

54:23 - Episode Wrap

54:52 - Thank you to Heirloom Travel & Adventure

55:01 - Where to watch and listen to Sports In The Making

marksgroovytrip.com

heirloomtravelandadventure.com

YouTube.com/@sportsmaking

cardonacreative.com/sportsmaking

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