What does an OB rigger do?
OB riggers lay out the cables for the cameras on an outside broadcast (OB). They are often the first on the site and usually the last to leave, sometimes rigging overnight to avoid crowds.
During pre-production, the head of the rigging crew, the rigger supervisor, usually attends the location recce with the engineering manager and the camera supervisor. Together they work out the cable runs for the cameras and plan the best way to connect all the different vehicles. This recce is particularly important if it’s a new location.
On a major outside broadcast, like Formula 1 or the anniversary of D-Day, there can be many miles of cabling serving 20 to 30 cameras, perhaps more. Every cable has to be carefully planned, particularly if it’s crossing a pavement or busy road, and made safe so it doesn’t cause accidents.
Once the plans have been set, the rigging crew sets up. As well as laying the cables, they may also help the camera crew to position the cameras, and during the show they can support the camera team by ‘cable-bashing’ - this means making sure the cables on a moving camera don’t get tangled or become a hazard.
The rigging team needs to respect the environment in which they’re working. They could be rigging in areas of high security – like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament or a military airfield. In all cases they are aware of the rules and regulations required to work on site and will need to pass the accreditation checks.
OB riggers are often known as rigger-drivers, because they have HGV licences and drive the outside broadcast vehicles to and from the location. These are some of the largest and most expensive vehicles on the road, so it requires a great deal of experience. It’s important that all the vehicles arrive in exactly the right order: on a big OB there may be 20 or more large vehicles packed into a small parking area.
OB riggers should not be confused with riggers in the film industry. Film industry riggers are specialist scaffolders who set up the structures for the lighting and scenery of a TV or film production, which is a very different job from driving and laying cables.
Most OB riggers are freelancers. The work involves a lot of travelling, which can be exciting, but can also take a toll on family life.
What’s an OB rigger good at?
• Rigging techniques: interpret designs, plan carefully every cable’s position, select the appropriate equipment needed for the rig, be able to use the necessary lifting kit and accessories
• Health and safety: know the health and safety legislation, follow the correct manual handling procedures, wear the right protective equipment, be responsible for your own safety and the safety of the public
• Head for heights: have steady feet and a steady hand whilst working above the crowds, be able to work high up in stadiums and outdoor buildings but never lose your head
• Driving: have an HGV driver’s licence and extensive driving experience
• Communication: deal with occasional problems with tact and by talking through issues, liaising with local groups like police to find solutions that allow the show to go on, work as part of a team
