Wireless Communications:
A Director's Insight
into Serv 4K and
Link AX Integration
We sat down with Alex Acosta, a film director with over 15 years of experience in the industry, to discuss how he uses Teradek on his sets. Recently, Alex has incorporated Serv 4K and Link AX into his workflow to improve efficiency and streamline the production process.
Teradek:
Teradek:
Can you provide a summary of your career background?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I’ve been a film director now for 15+ years. For the first 10 years, I was mainly shooting music videos for Flo Rida, Ashanti, Jason Durelo, Juicy J, Rick Ross, and a lot more to mention. As of the last 3 years, I’ve been filming various shows (game shows, talk shows, news, and interviews) for Revolt TV.
Teradek:
Teradek:
What challenges do you face as a Director?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
As a Director/DP and Production Company, I manage multiple camera operators during shoots. Typically, I shoot with 4-5 cameras in most interviews and shows. When I am solely directing, I sit in the control room and call all the shots, so there are no issues. However, when I am also operating the camera, I need to be able to see the shots and angles of the other camera operators. This is where Serv 4K and Link AX come in handy. They have helped me solve the issue of running from camera to camera and sharing text messages and screenshots. With the Vuer app and an iPad, I can now easily see the shots and angles of all cameras, making my work much more efficient.
“This is where Serv 4K
and Link AX
come in
handy. They have
helped me
solve the
issue of running from
camera to camera and
sharing text
messages
and screenshots.”
“This is where Serv 4K
and Link AX
come in
handy. They have
helped me
solve the
issue of running from
camera to camera and
sharing text
messages
and screenshots.”
Teradek:
Teradek:
Did you have previous experience with Link and Serv Pro?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I’ve worked on sets where the production teams I hired owned Serv Pros, but I never had experience with the Link AX, this was my first time.
Workflow with Serv 4K
and Link AX
Workflow with Serv 4K
and Link AX
Teradek:
Teradek:
What is the overview of your typical workflow?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
As a director, I oversee each department on prep days and the day of the shoot, but mainly, I oversee the cameras. I make sure that all the cameras, lenses, wireless communications, Video Villages, and tech comms are working and up to date. Then, everything else follows, such as lighting and audio. However, my main and biggest concern is camera setup and wireless communication.
Teradek:
Teradek:
How difficult was it to set up your devices and establish a local network?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Honestly, setting up my Serv 4k was pretty straightforward. I usually rely on YouTube tutorials to guide me through the process, but this time I decided to test things out for myself first and see how far I could go without needing help. I was able to set up the basics on my own, but I had to learn how to go into the menus and set all my custom routing from there. For Link AX, I referred to tutorials.
Teradek:
Teradek:
What are your thoughts on the VUER app?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I love the VUER app. I've owned a decimator for years now and have used it on all my sets, but only for viewing. With the Vuer app, however, not only can you view multi-cams, but you can also check your focus, listen in on the audio, and access tons of other custom options. This was a game-changing experience for me on set.
Teradek:
Teradek:
How many iOS devices were connected to on set?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
The number of devices I had connected at once was 9 (7 being iPads), although I understand the maximum possible connected devices is even higher.
Teradek:
Teradek:
For what roles?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Director for myself, Grip, Hair and Makeup, and Producer.
Teradek:
Teradek:
How did this enhance collaboration on set?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Communication between different departments has become much smoother now. We no longer have to consistently meet at Video Village to make adjustments which has greatly improved our workflow.
Teradek:
Teradek:
What distinctive challenges do you encounter as a director within your industry?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
The challenges I encounter the most on set as a director would have to be communication between different departments. As your productions and budgets grow, so does your crew. So having everyone on the same page, regardless of whether one of your gaffers or DPs has 20+ years of experience versus a grip or sound person who only has 1+ year of experience, is crucial. We all have our own ways of doing things, but when on set, I strive to push for 'one team, one dream,' and we all have to play for the same team that day, project, and time on set. I do a very good job of communicating with all my departments but also making sure that they communicate with each other as well.
Teradek:
Teradek:
Can you tell us about instances where the technology led to better creative decision-making?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Having the Serv 4K on set for music videos has been life-saving. Normally, if I want to try a new shot/angle from a crane or raise the tripod legs really high, or somewhere low like under a bed, it's not just the one AC or Video Village being able to see. All my grip, camera ops, and I can see the shot using the Vuer app right where we stand and can make the proper corrections/adjustments. We used a zero-delay Teradek Bolt system at Video Village with a SmallHD Cine 24 as well, where we could also view a quad-split image.
Impact of Using
Production Streaming
Impact of Using
Production Streaming
Teradek:
Teradek:
How has production streaming improved your workflow?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Having the Serv 4K on set for music videos has been life-saving. Normally, if I want to try a new shot/angle from a crane or raise the tripod legs really high, or somewhere low like under a bed, it's not just the one AC or Video Village being able to see. All my grip, camera ops, and I can see the shot using the Vuer app right where we stand and can make the proper corrections/adjustments. We used a zero-delay Teradek Bolt system at Video Village with a SmallHD Cine 24 as well, where we could also view a quad-split image.
Teradek:
Teradek:
What was a prime example of where Serv 4K & Link AX were indispensable?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
A good example of when both Serv 4K and Link AX were indispensable occurred at the Revolt TV studios in Atlanta. The soundboard and control room lost power, causing everything to go out. For about 10-15 minutes, the producers were trying to figure out how to keep the interview going. Fortunately, I happened to have two iPads with me and one of the camera operators did as well. I suggested hooking up my setup so we could all view in. The biggest obstacle at the time was the teleprompter being able to listen in, so we set her up with her own iPad. The rest of us watched from the other two iPads, and with that setup, I saved the day.
Teradek:
Teradek:
What is implementation like when working with crew who haven’t used these products?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I am a very firm, direct, and communicative director. So, whether you have used any of the products or not, I will still hold a small power meeting to explain what I am looking for and assign tasks to the appropriate heads of departments. I will also distribute iPads to them.
Teradek:
Teradek:
Any notable feedback from crew?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
Honestly, all departments really loved it. The biggest feedback and response came from the grip and lighting department. Their main feedback was that they were able to see in real-time what they were lighting or removing without having to be told to move a little left or a little more right. They could see it right there.
The Importance of Choosing the
Right Gear for Directors
The Importance of Choosing the
Right Gear for Directors
Teradek:
Teradek:
What are the broader implications of choosing the right gear as a director?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I'm a very detailed and to-the-point director, and I need the best of the best in whatever gear I'm using to get the job done. I don't like to cut corners to save a few dollars. I have to make sure not just myself, but the client, has a smooth, hassle-free experience on set with me. I remember years ago being hesitant to buy my first Teradek Bolt versus other brands and had to convince myself to do it. But once I got it on set and experienced that zero delay, I never looked back on being hesitant to buy any products I need from Teradek.
“...once I got it on set
and experienced
that
zero delay, I never looked
back on
being hesitant to
buy any products I need
from Teradek.”
“...once I got it on set
and experienced
that
zero delay, I never looked
back on
being hesitant to
buy any products I need
from Teradek.”
Teradek:
Teradek:
What are your hopes for your future career and the entertainment industry?
Alex Acosta:
Alex Acosta:
I want to continue growing as a director. That growth could come from working on films, television shows, music videos, and more. In today's world, content is king, so I need to be prepared for any project that comes my way and be able to provide clients with the results they are looking for.