Work in Progress 2: Semi-Automatic Camera and Switcher Control for Live Broadcast

Live video broadcasting requires a multitude of professional expertise to enable multi-camera productions. Robotic systems allow the automation of common and repeated tracking shots. However, predefined camera shots do not allow quick adjustments when required due to unpredictable events. We introduce a modular automated robotic camera control and video switch system, based on fundamental cinematographic rules. The actors' positions are provided by a markerless tracking system. In addition, sound levels of actors' lavalier microphones are used to analyse the current scene. An expert system determines appropriate camera angles and decides when to switch from one camera to another. A test production was conducted to observe the developed prototype in a live broadcast scenario and served as a video-demonstration for an evaluation.