Red Bulls II Provides a Home-Field Advantage to Broadcasting Careers

When the New York Red Bulls II take the field on their home turf at MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field, fans at home can watch their live broadcasts on ESPN+. These visuals and sounds are captured by a production team comprised of a director, camera operators and engineers – a majority of whom are either alumni or current students from Montclair State University.

The production crew are employees of Fascom Productions of Nutley, New Jersey, which drives its high-tech mobile video studio truck right up to the turf of MSU Soccer Park. Fascom is one of hundreds of companies in the New York and New Jersey region jump-starting careers and engaged in meaningful partnerships with the University.

Last year, more than 3,000 Montclair State students completed hands-on learning experiences, including co-ops, internships, fieldwork, practicums, externships, student teaching and faculty-led research. Students who have benefited include Casey Owens ’18, who works audio sound during Red Bulls II broadcasts. She earned her degree in TV Production and had several “dream internships” while a student, including The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Myers and Say Yes to the Dress. “I’ve had an amazing amount of opportunities,” she says.

Fascom’s owner Patricia Fastook, who also teaches at Montclair State as an adjunct professor in the School of Communication and Media, says the company routinely hires the “great, young talent” she finds in class for the intense, live Red Bulls II productions. “It’s a professional shoot and the crew has been instrumental in helping us pull off this big endeavor,” she says.

“I was a little nervous going into this,” says Christo Apostolou ’17, who directs the sports show. “But the excitement that comes from the crowd, the players and plays are second to none. I love it.”

Andrew Amiano, a Montclair State senior majoring in TV Production, was filming the action on a recent summer evening. “I’m a little unique because I really don’t follow sports at all. I honestly couldn’t tell you how a [soccer] game works. But from this gig, I appreciate the sport.”

Still, he watches the game much differently from the fans in the stands.

“I’m not watching it for the players or for the game itself,” Amiano says. “I’m watching it for the production. So, while people will say, ‘That was such a good goal.’ I’ll say, ‘that was such a good shot.’ It gives me a different perspective.”

Amiano, ever focused on the angle of the camera, will cheer, “Follow, Follow, Follow,” instead of “Go, Go, Go, Go.”