Press Passes

Not every event we work on requires a 'Press Pass'. But many do, simply because we are either working 'back stage' and need 'access to all areas' - or we are going to be up close and personal with some very important people - like the President of the United States.

Plus many times we are working either for some of the top broadcast networks in the country or on some of the biggest events in the region.

Like badges of honor here are some of the 'Press Passes' that we're most proud of.

Any time you get to be in a room with the President of the United States, be he Republican or Democrat, well - that's a special day. So October 9, 2003 will always be a memorable day for PixMix. We were in Manchester, New Hampshire -. along with a large press contingent - as Mr. Bush made a pre-2004 campaign swing through the Granite Sate. Shot for C-SPAN and fed back to Washington DC immediately afterwards for inclusion in that evenings newscast.

Not every White House Press Pool pass involves the President. When the First Lady travels she always draws a crowd ... sometimes more than the Commander in Chief. Such was the case in May of 2006 as Laura Bush gave the commencement address at Roger Williams University in Bristol Rhode Island. Our First Lady spoke to an audience of more than 3500 proud parents and graduating students. Shot for C-SPAN with a single camera and 45 x 1 long lens.

While not always drawing the press attention of the nation's Commander-in-Chief, when the Vice President travels the security is always just as intense. Such was the case when VP Dick Cheney made a fund-raising stop in New Hampshire on September 23, 2001. This was one of our first events for C-SPAN, shot with a single camera and fed back to Washington for the evening news.

It's Sunday, November 2nd .... only 48 hours before Election Day, 2008. And Republican John McCain is still at it ... desperately trying to raise hopes and votes in the Granite State of New Hampshire. PixMix is there as well, providing its signature fly-pack system for the network pool feed. This event was switched live with 2 cameras and fed back via satellite to C-SPAN, NBC News and CNN.

For some people Friday the 13th can be an unlucky day. But not for PixMix. The national debate about Health Care Reform was in full swing. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives was at the John F. Kennedy School of Government to give her views on the topic and to answer questions. PixMix was there with its signature multi-camera flypack system for our good customer C-Span. Shot live to tape and immediately fed back to Washington DC for inclusion in the late evening news.

It isn't every day that a MAJOR political event happens in our city. So when the 2004 Democratic National Convention came to Boston, PixMix was there - in force. We provided the complete multi-camera hardware package for New York News 1 - a leading local cable news organization that serves most of the Empire State. Including multiple setup days, this event lasted a total of one week. Produced in association with Sullivan Video Services, July 2004

Every four years New Hampshire becomes a prime focal point for presidential candidates. And oftentimes that interest spills into Boston. When Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed a student rally at her old Alma Mater, Wellesley College, C-SPAN was there - and PixMix was manning the camera. Shot with a single camera and transmitted back to Washington immediately after the event for inclusion in that evening's newscast.

Working with visiting foreign dignitaires is always an adventure. Security is tight, the press corps is huge and hungry, and you have to fight for a spot on the press riser. Such was the case when British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a MAJOR foreign policy address at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. PixMix was there, manning the event for C-SPAN. Shot with a single camera and a 35 x 1 long lens .... Then fed back to Washington for inclusion in the early evening news.

Major foreign dignitaries are a common sight at Harvard University. But it's not every day that the former President of Iran, Mohammed Khatami gives a major policy speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. This September 2006 event was packed, with a Standing Room Only audience of interested and respectful people. Security was as tight as we've ever seen. Yet the event came off without a hitch as we used 3 cameras to feed this event LIVE back to C-SPAN in Washington, DC.

Graduation events are always enjoyable. Everyone from the parents to the students and even the video crew is in a good mood. Producer Darren Lussier of Image Productions has selected PixMix Video to supply video hardware and engineering support for several Harvard Medical School graduation ceremonies. In June of 2006 we provided a single 3-camera flypack. For 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 we supplied TWO complete systems. One flypack covers the Medical School graduation while at the same time the second system is engaged at the School of Public Health. For 2010 we broadcast (and webcast) the School of Public Health ceremonies in HIGH DEFINITION.

Outdoor events are always a challenge. Such was the case as we covered the 2005 Boston Gay Pride Parade. Sweltering heat and crowded sidewalks were just some of the obstacles we had to overcome. Yet PixMix pulled it off by provided a 6-man crew plus hardware to the Q Network for this live to tape June 2005 event.

General Abizaid was the leading US Military commander of Allied Forces in the Middle East when he gave a major policy speech and strategic overview at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. This event played to a packed house of about 350 at the Kennedy Forum and was shot live to tape with multiple cameras for C-Span.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a major speech celebrating the role that women play in today's society at Meehan Auditorium on the campus of Brown University. Addressing an audience of about 1000 Senator Clinton brought the audience to its feet multiple times during her 50-minute address. Shot for C-SPAN, April 2006

Stage shows can present a unique set of circumstances. When talk show host and former local celebrity Bill O'Reilly came to Boston the issue was space. Where do we place our cameras so as no to obstruct anyone's view? The answer was at the back of the hall with a long 45 x 1 lens. This November 2006 live-to-tape event featured 3 cameras, an audience of almost 1000 and was streamed live to the web.