High-Definition Telepresence systems from Polycom, Inc. are becoming the preferred solution for producers of U.S. popular TV shows such as Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and Ask Oprah’s All Stars
7 March 2011. Polycom Telepresence is the platform of choice for interacting with remote guests on popular daytime TV shows such as Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and Ask Oprah’s All Stars -the new four-part series on The Oprah Winfrey Network(OWN).
And Hollywood producers are increasingly turning to Polycom Telepresence and Polycom video infrastructure to enable their east and west coast production teams to collaborate face-to-face on primetime series like The Good Wife and Fringe.
With packed production schedules often calling for several episodes to be taped per day, daytime producers rely on Polycom HDX telepresence systems in the studio and the Polycom Converged Management Application™ (CMA™) Server, part of Polycom’s UC Intelligent Core, to simultaneously manage, schedule and provision multiple calls with remote guests
They all rely on Polycom’s renowned high-definition (HD) telepresence experience, which reliably delivers smooth, natural motion and crisp, clear images, and sterling audio quality via Polycom® HD Voice.
In Ask Oprah’s All Stars, Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, and Dr. Mehmet Oz – appear on one stage to answer viewers’ pressing questions about health, wealth, and mental well-being both in-person and through the use of telepresence. In this his four-part special the natural, face-to-face connection through Polycom enables the experts to consult with guests in a relaxed and interactive setting.
The producers of Dr. Phil and The Doctors now facilitate production with a standards-based Telepresence infrastructure from Polycom that has cut production costs for the shows by up to $250,000 a season. Rich de Michele, executive in charge of production for Dr. Phil and The Doctors said: “We always prefer to interview guests using video. Itt elevates the viewing experience. But that’s only if it works well. And with Polycom, it does”
Fringe, the popular FOX TV sci-fi series, is another TV show that relies on Polycom. Fringe is shot and edited in New York, but studio executives, writers and effects artists all reside in Los Angeles. Bad Robot Productions bridges the gap with Polycom Telepresence, which lets writers, actors and production personnel meet face-to-face to deliver a startling TV experience against tight production deadlines. Program executives increase productivity and keep production costs down.
Another is The Good Wife on the CBS Television Network. This Emmy Award-winning drama films a new episode every eight days. The show is set in Chicago but shot in Brooklyn, N.Y. Episodes are written in Los Angeles, then directed and filmed in Brooklyn. Footage then heads back to L.A. for editing and post-production.
Brooke Kennedy, executive producer for The Good Wife, said: “Polycom gives us the flexibility to encompass all areas of our production. We talk about the script, then we talk about the shoot, and then we look at cuts together. We become whole when using the Polycom systems”
“Telepresence is rapidly revolutionizing the way TV is created and presented, and Polycom is the Telepresence platform of choice for TV’s hottest producers” said Susan Hayden, Polycom executive vice president of worldwide marketing.
“Whether they rely on Polycom for filmed series, for pre- and post-production, or for on-camera communication with talk show guests, today’s producers demand a reliable, crystal-clear HD connection so participants feel and appear as if they’re in the same room. They know they’ll get that experience with Polycom”
Primetime producers use Polycom HDX® room Telepresence systems to collaborate remotely for both pre-production and production applications. Polycom HDX systems feature Polycom UltimateHD™ technology, which enables producers to transmit and receive voice, video, and content in HD for exceptional performance – an essential capability when reviewing dailies, wardrobes, casting calls, script rewrites, set designs, or when searching for potential new locations.
For more about Polycom solutions for the entertainment industry, visit:
www.polycom.com/entertainment.