Key News Network captures news with Blackmagic URSA cameras

Key News Network (KNN) relies on the URSA Broadcast G2 model of Blackmagic Design to capture breaking news content, major incidents and daily news for numerous media outlets.

With over a hundred stories a month, the KNN team also employs DaVinci Resolve Studio, the editing, grading, visual effects and audio mixing program, in order to meet the established deadlines.

KNN is made up of a innovative team of professional photojournalists covering breaking news, live and late in the state of California and other markets across the country, for both local and national channels. By relying on cutting-edge technology for electronic news gathering, KNN enables its clients to quickly capture content, which is also available on its YouTube channel, KeyNewsNetwork, as well as its website, News Break.

KNN uses the URSA Broadcast G2 model thanks to its excellent performance in situations of low luminosity, making it easy to capture shots at night, for example in house fires, physical rescues, and police investigations.

Zak Holman, director of photography at KNN, acknowledges that "no two nights are the same. At the last minute, we find out that we have to be in downtown Los Angeles to cover a protest, or rush to the cliffs of Malibu, where a helicopter is rescuing victims of a car accident."

"Every month, we shoot, edit and air more than 100 stories for our clients. Each one is unique and more challenging than the last. When it comes to breaking news, we never know what we'll be exposed to. In almost 15 years, I don't think we've had two identical nights," he adds.

Low lights

In order to meet strict deadlines, the KNN team opted for three URSA Broadcast G2 cameras due to their portable and elegant design, the 13 steps dynamic range and, most importantly, its performance in low lighting conditions with value ISO dual. Likewise, the units had B4 ENG lenses to be able to capture all images in 4K.

"The dynamic range of the URSA Broadcast G2 model allows us to record events such as fires in completely different ways and capture details with great precision. It is even more difficult at night, given the difference in exposure that we must handle. In certain shots, the environment is very dark and the lights of the vehicles focus directly on the lens. Thanks to the URSA Broadcast G2 model, we can still achieve a decent quality shot," explains Holman. "These cameras are ideal for filming under these conditions and have demonstrated all their capabilities repeatedly during one day. Without a doubt they helped us tell the story without any restrictions."

On the other hand, Holman adds that "there are many dark alleys in Los Angeles; we have surely been in the vast majority of them. The URSA Broadcast G2 model is ideal for these situations. The performance in low light conditions is extraordinary and helps to be able to use all the material captured."

DaVinci Resolve Studio

Holman and his team also relied on DaVinci Resolve Studio's editing module to prepare material for KNN. Holman added: “The main thing to keep in mind is that the work dynamic is easy and fast. In breaking news, we don't have a second to waste on most stories. DaVinci Resolve Studio gives us the speed needed to maintain a competitive advantage when editing on the go. Knowing how happy all the videographers are with this program confirms that the platform works perfectly.”

To continue capturing all the action, KNN will incorporate more URSA Broadcast G2 units into its workflow.

“Blackmagic Design produced a camera that is light years ahead of electronic news gathering,” Holman concluded. «This model provides three cameras in one at an unprecedented price, which guarantees the investment in our equipment for years. Furthermore, it should be noted that the image quality is exceptional. "We are very happy to be able to continue delivering optimal quality content thanks to the URSA Broadcast G2 model."