5 questions for SRG producer Ueli Barmettler
SRG has been the host broadcaster of Weltklasse Zürich for many years, making a valuable contribution to the global media presence of the renowned Wanda Diamond League Meeting. Ueli Barmettler has accompanied Weltklasse Zürich as producer since 2011. In this interview, he talks about his work during the event and the biggest challenges.
What are the main tasks as the producer of the world signal during Weltklasse Zürich?
In short: making sure that the spectators on the screens get to see all the important decisions. For the realisation of this live event, I work with several producers who take care of the different disciplines, some of which take place simultaneously. I also work closely with highlight operators. We want to tell the many different stories of the evening - in sound and vision.
How does working as a producer at Weltklasse Zürich differ from other sports?
The main difference is the number of directors on site. At a football match, for example, there is always one producer on site. In athletics, because of the different disciplines, there are several producers working on the international signal.
What are the biggest challenges during Weltklasse Zürich?
The unpredictable. You never know what will happen or how the competitions will turn out. Will there be a world record? What do we do in difficult situations such as a serious injury or a political action during the event? I want to prepare my team for as many cases as possible and pass on my production philosophy to the producers who realise the various feeds.
Who works with you in the OB van during production?
To be able to ensure such a complex production, you need a functioning team. In the main control room, I am joined by the assistant producer, a graphic designer, three highlight operators and another producer who coordinates the various feeds. This control room finalises the so-called world signal, which is the basis for all transmissions worldwide. Of course, we also rely on other important colleagues on site, such as the production manager, image and sound technicians and cameramen.
What are you looking forward to most on the competition days?
Exciting and hopefully accident-free competitions. Of course, the great atmosphere in the stadium is always a highlight. But I'm also looking forward to the team and working together to deliver a high-quality production.
