Behind the Stream: How We Broadcast the Black River Invitational Jiu-Jitsu Tournament Live

In May 2025, Cleveland Video Company filmed and live streamed the Black River Invitational 2025, a major jiu-jitsu tournament held at the historic Lorain Palace Theatre located just west of Cleveland, Ohio. With hundreds of viewers both in person and online, there were two primary challenges: live stream the entire tournament online while also projecting real-time scores and tournament clock onto a large screen inside the theatre.

*Quick Behind the Scenes Video of how we streamed the Tournament

To successfully accomplish this dynamic and complex setup, we employed a five-person crew:

·      Three camera operators

·      Graphics operator using ProPresenter software for score/ time graphics

·      Video director overseeing the entire production and switching in real time between five camera angles

For cameras, we used one Sony camcorder, multiple remote-controlled Sony PTZ cameras, and one DJI Ronin that had a Sony mirrorless camera attached to it. The gimbal-mounted camera allowed for smooth, stabilized footage. The footage was also being transmitted wirelessly to the video director, allowing the roaming operator to capture angles that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise since it was necessary to avoid running wires on the mats as the martial artists competed.

Two seasoned grapples acted as color commentators providing insight and analysis, and we outfitted them with professional broadcaster headsets.

This production showcased our team’s ability to blend live event coverage, in-room AV, and streaming technology to create a seamless, engaging experience for all audiences.