11/29/2012
Tribute and communication
On Sunday 11th November, the French President paid his traditional tribute to soldiers who have died in action. AMP VISUAL TV was responsible for the international signal as well as the private France 3 signal. Two days later, our teams were tasked with a new mission at the Elysée Palace for the first press conference to be held by the French government under François Hollande.
11th November 2012, Place de l'Etoile, Paris. The Millénium 2 OB truck (formerly known as OB truck D, upgraded to HD) operated the international signal and the private France 3 signal. 9 cameras were positioned around the Arc de Triomphe and use of a crane was required. With Gilles Amado producing, the commemoration ceremony was ready to begin. The French President arrived and started to make his way up the Champs Elysées with an RF steadycam delivering live coverage. A little earlier, an RF camera had captured great views, shot from an amazing angle aboard an army vehicle as it advanced along the famous avenue. An hour later, the channel was again free, with tributes paid and acts of remembrance marking this symbolic ceremony for France.
13th November 2012, Reception Hall of the Elysée Palace, Paris. The Presidency of the French Republic was to give a press conference. Confirmed on the previous Friday morning, on-site preparations were completed in the afternoon. Quick responsiveness was required to ensure the live broadcast, since other events were also filming (Vendée Globe, 11th November, etc.) meaning most of the weekend teams were already in action. After a day of setting up on Monday, filming was carried out on Tuesday ready for broadcast at 16:45. OB truck 8 was in charge under the leadership of producer Tristan Carné. 13 cameras, 5 of them HF, occupied the site. The first press conference of François Hollande’s 5-year term was watched by some 2.5 million viewers, representing a 17.7% audience rating on France 2, thereby doubling its prime time ratings (source: Médiamétrie).