Live MLS Soccer Production in Chattanooga: Behind the Camera
Atlanta-based Director of Photography, Nate Silverman, has covered countless events, but there's something special about capturing Major League Soccer action — especially when it's streaming live to thousands of fans on YouTube.
NEP Group had tapped our Assignment Desk crew to handle camera operations for MLS Next Pro, with Chattanooga FC taking on Huntsville City at their home stadium.
For this production, the Sony FX9 as my primary camera — a decision driven by its exceptional low-light performance and reliable video quality under stadium lighting conditions. The FX9's full-frame sensor would give me the flexibility to capture both wide establishing shots of the packed stadium and tight action sequences as players battled for possession. The real technical challenge, however, lay in the live streaming component. My LiveU 600 unit would be doing the heavy lifting, transmitting every frame directly to NEP's production facility in real-time.
As the 2:00 PM call time approached, I ran through my technical checklist one final time. The LiveU connection was solid, the FX9 was dialed in perfectly, and communication with the production team was crystal clear. When the whistle blew at kickoff, I shifted into that focused zone every camera operator knows — tracking the action, anticipating plays, and ensuring every crucial moment was captured with broadcast precision. Chattanooga FC's passionate home crowd created an incredible atmosphere, and I could feel their energy translating through my lens.
What made this shoot particularly rewarding was the seamless collaboration between our video production expertise and NEP's national broadcast standards. Every goal attempt, every defensive play, every celebration was transmitted instantly to viewers watching the YouTube stream. The technical execution had to be flawless — there are no second chances in live sports production. As the match intensified, so did the importance of every shot selection and camera movement.
By the 10:00 PM wrap, we had successfully delivered eight hours of premium live sports content. The FX9 had performed beautifully throughout the entire match, while the LiveU 600 maintained a rock-solid connection despite the challenging wireless environment of a packed stadium. Chattanooga FC had put on a spectacular show, and our video production crew had captured every moment for fans who couldn't be there in person.
This is exactly why Assignment Desk has built such strong relationships with clients like NEP Group — when you need experienced camera operators who can deliver broadcast-quality results under pressure, whether in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or anywhere across our 24+ markets nationwide, we're ready to make it happen. Some shoots are just jobs, but nights like this remind me why I fell in love with live video production in the first place.