Mike Sheehe: Creative Director & Art Director for Broadcast » Memories

Army Football Press Pass

Mike Sheehe — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:33:12 +0000

Here’s a media pass from one of the games I worked on at Michie Stadium. Not many things can compare to the adrenaline rush from working on live sports. These productions were some of the best I’ve been on. I got to work with some of the best people in the industry doing these games.

This posting originates from sheehe.com.

WCW Script

Mike Sheehe — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:01:51 +0000

Here’s a page from a script from the now defunct WCW. This is from sometime ago when I worked on WCW tapings. It was very interesting seeing how these shows were put together. Some names on this script went on to become well known. Maybe they were well known then too, I didn’t know:)

This posting originates from sheehe.com.

Animal Kingdom Opening Media Event

Mike Sheehe — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:02:33 +0000

Being part of the media sometimes has its perks. Here’s a pass for a media event at Walt Disney World. This was an enormous event over an entire weekend. The media preview showcased the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Quest. In addition, the event had sneak peaks of Mulan, which was created in Orlando, Florida on the backlot of Walt Disney World. There haven’t been many media events that I’ve been to that have been to this scale, we were treated very well.

This posting originates from sheehe.com.

PSFL Brochure

Mike Sheehe — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:57:53 +0000

Here’s a brochure for a start-up football league that never played a game, the PSFL. However, they did hire staff, draft players and have training camp for all the teams in the league. I was hired to oversee video operations for the Carolina Cougars and was in Cocoa Beach with my staff for training camp. It was exciting and fun the first few weeks until we found the entire team was getting kicked out of the hotel because the bills were not paid, I can laugh about that now. The entire team was relocated to our offices in South Carolina to finish out training camp and await word from the league as to what was going on. During the next few weeks I worked along side the GM, Roman Gabriel, who was a really good guy and honest about the situation. After a week or two the league and teams were finally disbanded after funding fell through. We all got a letter that mentioned it would start again next year, that didn’t happen either.

All though the experience was nerve racking at the time, it was also a lot of fun, and a risk that I’m glad I took. In my opinion, within the media and sports industries you often have the greatest success when you take big risks. Yes, we have to play it safe a great deal of times, but, we must take calculated risks to achieve the greatest amount of success.

Please note that this is a brochure that was handed out and created by the league. I’m posting it so those who are not aware of the PSFL can get an idea of how close the league was to starting up. I did not oversee the creation of the brochure, I was in charge of video operations for the Carolina Cougars.

Court TV Working Contract

Mike Sheehe — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:00:36 +0000

Here’s one page from a contract that I had to sign while doing work for Court TV. Anyone involved with the production and broadcasting of Court TV materials had to sign this contract. This was a very unique experience working where I got to work on high profile national cases at court houses in New York City. You do meet and see a great deal of characters working in these buildings.

Walt Disney Christmas Parade Script

Mike Sheehe — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:49:59 +0000

Here’s a program breakdown sheet from a WDW christmas parade program for ABC that I worked on a few years back. I worked on the backup master that was made in case the weather didn’t cooperate with production on christmas day. If you look at the time on this breakdown, it was the latest as of 4pm on 12/24, and there were a few more revisions after this one. It was a lot of hard work, but, everyone had a great deal of fun working on it.

NASA Media Launch Pass

Mike Sheehe — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:50:07 +0000

Here is my media pass from a video I was producing that we needed a Space Shuttle launch for. It was amazing being that close to the launch site, however, the countdown got to T-minus :15 seconds and was scrubbed.

WCW Working Media Pass

Mike Sheehe — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:12:34 +0000

I’ve worked in numerous locations to create broadcast programming and this was one that was both fun and unique. WCW decided to use the Disney MGM Studios (when they actually did production there) in Orlando, Florida to create about a month worth of programming. We utilized New York Street on the backlot to set up the main stage and audience seats. The actors/athletes were shot all over the backlot for their story-lines. It was a grueling week or so of shooting, but, we somehow managed to stay away from getting the infamous Florida rain to delay production.

The crew and talent were some of the greatest people to work with. No matter what type of image wrestling/sports entertainment has, most of the talent is amazingly professional and will do anything to get the product right. The actors/athletes took direction well and were very cordial.

It was cool to meet some of the people that were starting out in the sports entertainment business and to see them become mega-superstars years later.

Army Black Knights Football Games

Mike Sheehe — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:49:52 +0000

I have very fond memories of most of the work that I’ve done through the years. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some amazing people and lead some great teams. One such memory of great people and fun work was working on the broadcasts of Army Black Knights football games and coaches shows.

Not only were these exciting, adrenaline filled experiences, they were genuinely fun. When you work with people that just click together on all cylinders, it makes the work so much more interesting and not feel like work at all.

It’s amazing to have such found memories of getting to the stadium at 5am for setup in the freezing northern weather of fall, but it was great. We didn’t stay cold for long as we set-up, checked and rechecked every piece of equipment, cables, the truck, communications systems, announcers equipment, etc.. Then, by the time that was all done, it was game time, not only for the players on the field, but, our broadcast team as well.

I worked different cameras at the games. End-zone, sideline and 20 yard line cameras. The adrenaline rush you get once that whistle blows is amazing [I’ll write about that in a separate post]. It’s amazing sense of responsibility to always be “live” and know that the slightest mistake would be seen by a great deal of viewers. You’re the eyes for all the viewers at home and you have to always stay focused and on point.

Upon reflection of doing these games for SportsChannel New York, I have to smile at the amount vulgar language that is communicated back and forth. If you’ve ever worked at a broadcast network control room or a live remote, you most likely know what I’m talking about.

I remember doing end zone camera one time and the scissor lift was shaking uncontrollably because of the wind blowing off the Hudson River in the middle of fall. I wasn’t scared or nervous about being up so high and the structure shaking, I was too focused on the game. However, the director, not realizing the amount of wind, was going ballistic! Blasting through the headphones I heard, What the F! Cut the S! Can you get a good shot! You learn quickly to let that stuff roll off your back, because, in the end, he and I were great friends. it’s in the heat of the broadcast and we’re both doing what we need to to get our jobs done. Not all directors are like that, but, a great many are. It’s not a mean spirited thing, they are just doing their job.

All went well with that particular game and I believe that was when Army broke a record with their longest return, which I had the best angle on and that shot was picked up by every major sports network.

I worked with that team on many different games and shows for a few years beyond that, it never got old or tiring and always was a great deal of fun.

*****THE PHOTO USED FOR THIS POST IS NOT A CAPTURE FROM WORK THAT I DID.********