Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine debuted on Disney+ on November 12, 2024, earning 19.4 million views in only six days and setting the record for the most-watched live-action movie on the service. Netflix, the world's largest streaming platform, reported Bridgerton was their most viewed show of the same year, with 91.9 million unique views for a staggering total watch time of 733.8 million hours. Discovering who shot Deadpool & Wolverine and Bridgerton is simple: the director of photography is among the first names in the credits, and the entire camera crew is listed and documented on IMDb for reference.
However, not only are these numbers dwarfed by live sports—Nielsen reported 127.7 million people watched Super Bowl LIX in the U.S. alone; UEFA estimates five billion people worldwide watched Euro 2024—their production process is entirely invisible.
Recently, Steve Cole, better known online as The Sailing Cameraman, has been demystifying the world of sports broadcasting by using Insta360 X3 and GO 3 cameras to capture his perspective and showcase how a cameraman gets the type of footage fans demand from top-tier events.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello! I'm Steve, The Sailing Cameraman.
I am a freelance broadcast camera operator for live sports and various other events. I mostly cover football (soccer), horse racing, netball, motorsports and tennis. I cover all sorts of positions, from pitchside cameras and big box lenses on the gantry, to remote cameras such as the drone on English Premier League games and remote cameras at Wimbledon, the Olympics and the World Cup.
I run a behind the scenes Instagram, TikTok and YouTube called The Sailing Cameraman where I document my life behind the camera and show people what we do to cover a live event. I also live on a boat, hence the name!
What made you want to become a camera operator?
I started my working life as a professional photographer, something I still do in my spare time, but doing it for a job spoiled my hobby, so after watching camera operators at live events I attended in awe, I decided that was the move I needed to make. They had the best view, got paid to be there and got to work in a fast-paced energetic atmosphere. I love the fact we only have one chance to capture what is going on. Mistake or not the show must go on, it really keeps you on your toes!
What's the biggest event you've covered?
I would say the London 2012 Olympics or Paris 2024 Olympics are probably the biggest but the Qatar World Cup comes a very close second!
Why is BTS footage at sports events so rare?
In the camera world, we've always been the workers who aren't supposed to be seen, we're supposed to blend in and I think that attitude has affected it in some ways. Other issues are we are so busy that we don't have time to frame shots and fiddle with cameras. That's why, to me, Insta360 is perfect as I can reframe later to make sure I actually capture what's going on. Another thing is the size of the cameras, I couldn't imagine getting some of the shots I got without the GO 3 just being attached to my hat so it can see the viewfinder.
I do have to be careful too, as many events are very strict about what we put on social media. I have to be really careful what I show and how soon after the event I post things. I think attitudes are slowly changing and organisers are seeing that this sort of social media coverage is actually a benefit to them.
Why did you choose Insta360 cameras for your channel? What insta360 cameras do you prefer using?
It's the ease of use. A 360° camera means I can set the camera in roughly the right position and, no matter what's going on and how busy I am, I know that everything is being captured, I just have to reframe things later. The same goes for the GO 3 that I have, its size is just so convenient as I can stick it onto my hat or part of a camera and just let it do its thing.
I know other brands have 360° options these days but none of them seem to be at the same level as the Insta360 options. The Insta360 Studio app is also excellent, giving me a really easy workflow or the ability to go live in 360°, straight to Instagram and TikTok.
How has your Insta360 camera helped you grow your personal brand and generate business?
My Insta360 is the reason I have a brand now. Without these cameras, I would never be able to catch the behind-the-scenes things I do in such an interesting way. It's absolutely instrumental in what I do. I can't see any other camera giving me such flexibility in shooting what I want. I said before that I don't have the time to move cameras around or reset them according to what's going on around me, Insta360 means I don't have to worry.
The hype around Sphere in Las Vegas and sports bars like Cosm in Texas have really raised the interest level of 360° filming. Do you see it having a wider application in the industry going forward?
I can see as the cameras improve each generation their use will only grow, especially as they are matching the quality of non-360° action cams these days there is little reason not to use one! There aren't really any other cameras that can do what these can do, so for certain applications, these are the only way to go. I'd love to see them used on motorsports as third-person live cameras during overtakes so you can really see everything.
Likewise, with the Professional Fighters League and Major League Soccer both utilizing POV-style Ref Cams, do you see there being a growth for this kind of in-play content, or is it likely to remain a gimmick?
I think the use will only grow, one of the companies I work with supplies POV cams to players on pitch during celebrations etc., which can be taken live. I mentioned before how I'd love to see them used in motorsport and various other racing series more often, like the horse racing I cover. The horses are way too skittish to have a camera in the pack, but if the jockeys had 360° cameras mounted somewhere, the live shot would be amazing!
To keep up with The Sailing Cameraman's adventures and find out more about what it's like to get the best seat in the house, check out his website and socials, and if you're feeling inspired to give your slice-of-life vlogs a cutting-edge makeover, pick up Insta360 X4 and Insta360 GO 3S today.
Keen to keep up to date on Insta360 stories? Keep an eye on our blog and sign up for our mailing list. Got a story to share? Email yours to communitystories@insta360.com and win up to US$50.
%20(1).svg)
%20(1).svg)
.svg)
