Editor’s note: Michael Narracci is the coordinating director of Red Sox broadcasts on NESN and has spent 14 seasons with the network. This is the second installment of his “Director’s Cut,” a behind-the-scenes look at NESN’s Red Sox game coverage.
NESN recently commissioned a state-of-the-art production truck from Game Creek Video and named it “94” — a tribute to Ted Williams (No. 9) and Bobby Orr (No. 4) since Red Sox and Bruins telecasts are the truck’s primary productions.
“94” is a 53-foot expando, which means the side of the truck expands from the main body to create more floor space. Also, all equipment is carried in storage bays under the floor. Some production trucks travel with a B-unit for storage and additional workspace, but that’s not needed here.
This truck is light years ahead of what NESN had for the 2013 season. “94” basically is a television station on wheels, complete with cameras, microphones, graphics and replay machines. Last year, we had cameras that weren’t recorded, and that occasionally hampered our ability to show definitive replays. Now our Red Sox show uses between 15 and 20 cameras, all of which are recorded for replay purposes.
The best part of “94” is that we designed it for future expansion and technology changes. “94” also has a sister truck, “Amazin,” that handles SportsNet New York’s Mets broadcasts.
NESN will use “94” anywhere that the truck can get to and then be back in Boston in time for the next homestand. When I tell people that, they’re amazed. I usually tell them that’s why it has wheels!
