There’s something exciting about heading out on location for a filming project, especially when the shoot takes you somewhere with a completely different working environment. Recently, I had the opportunity to head down to Portsmouth to support Big Wave Creations on a busy filming project centred around the marine industry. The Journey South The first day started with a long drive down to Portsmouth, but the journey was well worth it. Once we arrived, the first stop was Hayling Island Sailing Club, where we had the opportunity to meet with the client and go through the plans for the shoot. Rather than heading straight back to a conventional hotel, I had a unique overnight stay at the sailing club. Staying right in the heart of a sailing environment made for a memorable experience and meant we were already close to the action for the following day's filming. After meeting the client, discussing the requirements and getting everything ready, it was time to settle in and prepare for an early start. A Full Day of Filming at the Marina The following morning, we met the client at the local marina and got straight into filming. The project involved capturing the detailed work that goes into maintaining and preparing sailing boats, giving us plenty of opportunities to create a mixture of cinematic, detailed and dynamic visuals. We filmed rigging being constructed and repaired, masts being carefully taken apart, worked on and then reinstalled. There was plenty happening throughout the day, and capturing the process from different angles allowed us to showcase the skill and craftsmanship involved. For the shoot, I used my Sony FX30 paired with the DJI RS 4 Pro gimbal. This combination allowed me to move freely around the marina while capturing smooth, creative footage throughout the day. The gimbal was particularly useful for creating fluid movement around the boats, equipment and ongoing work, helping to give the final footage a polished and professional feel. Working Around the Weather As is often the case with filming outdoors in the UK, the weather certainly kept us on our toes! We had some heavy downpours throughout the day, which presented a few challenges when trying to keep filming and protect the equipment. Thankfully, we were also treated to some lovely sunshine in between the showers. Those brief windows of sunshine were ideal for capturing some of the more cinematic shots, with the changing conditions actually helping to create some variety in the footage. Outdoor filming is rarely about having perfect conditions all day. It's about adapting, working efficiently and making the most of whatever the day throws at you. Keeping the Client Connected with DJI SDR One of the key pieces of technology I used on the shoot was the DJI SDR wireless camera system. This allowed me to send a wireless feed directly to Scott at Big Wave Creations, giving him the ability to oversee the footage in real time, wherever he was on location. Having a live wireless feed is a huge advantage on a collaborative production. It meant Scott could keep an eye on what I was capturing without needing to be right beside the camera, allowing us to communicate effectively and make decisions throughout the shoot. For projects where multiple people are involved in the creative process, having that real-time connection can make a real difference to the workflow. 

Earlier this month, we were back on site supporting On The Tools & Super Trowel at Hertfordshire Showground for another high-energy bricklaying event – and our third Super Trowel event to date. This year’s production was delivered in collaboration with On The Tools, working closely together to bring the event to life both for the live audience on site and those watching online. Our focus for this event was the live broadcast and vision mixing, ensuring the action from the showground was captured and delivered seamlessly to the livestream audience. Alongside this, we supported the wider production with technical preparation, graphics management, and camera systems to help deliver a smooth and professional live output. From the first planning discussions through to a six-plus-hour live broadcast, there was a significant amount of work happening behind the scenes to ensure everything came together as intended. From planning to production In our experience, a successful live event always starts long before the cameras are switched on. In the weeks leading up to Super Trowel, we were heavily involved in the pre-production and technical planning. This included working through the livestream requirements in detail and mapping out how the production would operate on the day. We covered everything from camera positioning and equipment requirements through to the organisation of graphics that would be used throughout the broadcast. A key part of this stage was ensuring that all systems would integrate smoothly with the wider event production.  One of the main considerations was how the livestream graphics and on-screen information would work alongside the physical event environment. In addition to appearing on the broadcast, these graphics were also being displayed on a large truck-style LED screen positioned next to our production area. This required careful planning to ensure all content was correctly prepared, formatted, and ready to be deployed at the right moments throughout the event. Rig day: putting everything to the test The rig day is always a crucial stage in any live production, and this event was no different. With a multi-camera setup, wireless systems, and multiple output destinations, the build and test day gives us the opportunity to identify and resolve any issues before going live in front of an audience. At Hertfordshire Showground, we built the full production setup and carried out detailed testing across all systems. This included setting up and testing the wireless camera kits, which allowed us to move freely around the event space and capture dynamic coverage from multiple angles. We also worked through the full graphics workflow, ingesting and preparing the content that would be used both on the livestream and on the large LED screen. For us, the rig day is never just about checking that equipment powers on. It’s about validating the entire workflow – cameras, wireless transmission, vision mixing, graphics integration, and output routing – so that when show day arrives, the focus can be entirely on production rather than problem-solving. Live: six cameras, graphics and over six hours of action Once the event went live, we were on the production desk for over six hours of continuous live broadcasting, vision mixing a six-camera setup and managing the flow of the livestream throughout the day. SuperTrowel is a fast-paced and energetic event, and that energy needs to translate into the broadcast. The camera team worked hard to capture the competition, atmosphere, and wider event activity, while we focused on building a dynamic and engaging live programme for the online audience. Throughout the broadcast, we brought in graphics, lower thirds, and additional on-screen elements, helping to provide context, information, and a more polished viewing experience. At the same time, the large LED screen on site was running alongside the livestream output, meaning consistency across both platforms was essential. Having everything prepared and ready in advance ensured the visual experience remained aligned across both the physical and digital sides of the event. As always with live production, there is no pause button. Decisions need to be made quickly, communication has to be clear, and the entire team has to stay in sync to keep everything running smoothly. A Tremendous Success! After months of preparation and a full day on site, the event was a tremendous success. This marked our third SuperTrowel event, and each one continues to build on the last. With every production, we refine the workflow, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall quality of the output. Working alongside On The Tools once again was a pleasure, and the collaboration helped ensure a strong, professional delivery for both the live and online audiences. For us, this kind of work goes far beyond simply operating cameras or mixing a show. Effective event media support is about understanding the goals of the production, planning thoroughly, preparing the technical infrastructure, and delivering reliably when it matters most. Whether it’s live streaming, multi-camera production, event videography, vision mixing, or graphics integration, the preparation behind the scenes is what ultimately makes the difference. Need media support for your next event? At SJL Works, we provide professional videography and media production support for events across the UK. From sporting competitions and corporate events through to live shows, exhibitions, and large-scale outdoor productions, we can support with everything from pre-production planning and equipment setup through to multi-camera filming, live vision mixing, streaming, and on-screen graphics. If you’re planning an event and need experienced media support on site, feel free to get in touch with SJL Works to discuss how we can help bring your event to life – both for your live audience and those watching remotely. Planning a live event? Let’s talk.