TELEVISION
Providing assists for Women’s World Cup
Fox Sports’ performance in covering the Women’s World Cup has been mostly praised so far, especially its live match coverage that largely relies on an international feed. The monthlong tournament is a big priority for Fox Sports. I reached Fox’s executive producer, David Neal, to identify a few of the people behind the scenes who are making sure the telecasts work. Here’s who he came up with:
■ Mark Teitelman, coordinating producer, preset
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Rod Conti is “the indispensable man for us,” executive producer David Neal says.
Photo by: FOX SPORTS
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Based in Los Angeles, “T-Man” is the one responsible for giving the Women’s World Cup a big-event feel. Neal described him as the “heart and soul” of the telecasts’ teases, bumpers, music and creative elements
■ Rod Conti, vice president, technical operations and production management
“The indispensable man for us,” Neal said of Conti, who is the conduit between Fox’s production and technical operations units. He does everything from making sure Fox pays its electrical bills on time to taking care of VIPs around the set.
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CALLAHAN
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■ Kevin Callahan,
technical director, World Cup
Fox Sports has a production presence in six stadiums across Canada for this tournament — all set up by Callahan. “He’s the technical genius behind everything that we’re doing,” Neal said.
■ Scott Riddell, field producer
The producer embedded with the U.S. team, Riddell is the executive in charge of managing Fox Sports’ relationship with U.S. Soccer. Together with Jenny Taft, Riddell delivers coverage on the team most Americans care about.
■ Courtney Stockmal, associate director
Stockmal makes sure all the graphic and sponsor elements — from billboards to animated teases — run at the right times during Fox’s productions. “Without her, our producers, directors and talent would be lost,” Neal said.
