BACKSTAGE AT THE PRO TOUR

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Broadcasting Magic: The Gathering

By Joey Pasco

Magic: The Gathering is a fantasy-themed collectible card game that debuted in 1993 and quickly gained a cult following in gaming circles. Since then, its popularity has soared, currently boasting thousands of players and fans worldwide. Several times a year, the best players in the world gather to compete for the elusive Pro Tour win to cement a place in the game’s history. Thousands more are glued to their monitors as they watch the tournament broadcast live on the web.

On February 6-8, 2015, Pro Tour: Fate Reforged was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the suburbs of Washington, DC.

I was fortunate enough to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the event broadcast during the final rounds of the tournament.

National Harbor, site of Pro Tour: Fate Reforged

While players have to qualify to play in the main event, the site is open to the public. Spectators can hang out, play in smaller side events, and watch the main event on one of several large screens spaced throughout the venue.

After obtaining my press pass (allowing me beyond the “STAFF ONLY” signs), I met up with Helene Bergeot, Director of Global Organized Play for Wizards of the Coast, and she offered me a tour.

The coverage area includes two distinct studios, each with its own separate production crew. One studio is for the “feature match” area, where selected players are featured on-camera during their match while commentators provide play-by-play and game analysis from the booth. The other studio is set up for player interviews, discussion from event analysts, and a news desk.

Marshall Sutcliffe, Randy Buehler, and Ian Duke at the news desk.

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Brian David-Marshall, Luis Scott-Vargas, and Rich Hagon in the booth.

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Justin Cohen faces off against Jesse Hampton in the semifinals as judges and members of the coverage team look on.

The enormous amount of work that goes into producing the Pro Tour event broadcast is extraordinary. From producers, directors, and camera operators to judges, coverage reporters and on-air talent, it’s clear that Wizards of the Coast goes to extreme measures to really make the Pro Tour a premiere event for those watching at home.

Members of the Japanese coverage team have their own separate studio and production crew.

Rashad Miller and Adam Styborski cover the match between Jelger Wiegersma and eventual champion Antonio Del Moral León.

Footnotes

Special thanks to Helene Bergeot and all the folks at Wizards of the Coast for allowing me a peek into the inner-workings of the broadcast of the Pro Tour. All photos taken with a Fuji X100.

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FootNotes

Special thanks to Helene Bergeot and all the folks at Wizards of the Coast for allowing me a peek into the inner-workings of the broadcast of the Pro Tour. All photos taken with a Fuji X100.