My video work at the 2011 US Open for Table Tennis

 

 This past weekend, I had the opportunity to run a video camera at the 2011 US Open for Table Tennis. We had three cameras and the video images were switched live for a live streaming video program on the Internet.

Can you remember the last time you stood in one place, in a ridged position, for over 6 hours? That’s what it took to shoot this program.

The US Open is the premier event for Table Tennis in the United States. Over 800 athletes from 15 countries were expected at this year’s event hosted by the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Here is a list of Countries that Athletes represented at the US Open


Barbados, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, China (Hong Kong), Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Ukraine & Venezuela

Ping Pong Diplomacy


Milwaukee was the first stop of the national celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy.


In 1971, a series of table tennis matches between the People’s Republic of China and the USA helped lay the groundwork for the eventual establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.


To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this widely acknowledged diplomatic breakthrough known as Ping Pong Diplomacy (PPD), USA Table Tennis participated with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the metro Milwaukee business community to welcome a 14- member Chinese delegation to stage a PPD Exhibition on Friday, July 1.


The Chinese delegation was led by distinguished members of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, the Chinese Olympic Committee and members of the original 1971 PPD delegation. Exhibition matches showcased original ’71 players from both nations along with matches featuring current elite players and junior elite players from both nations.


Guests were invited to gather at 6 pm for a viewing of “The Emperor’s Private Paradise,” a unique collection of more than 90 art treasures on loan from Beijing’s Forbidden City. There was a lead- in table tennis exhibition featuring Milwaukee’s own and Las Vegas headliner and prominent television personality, Frank Caliendo, at 6:30 pm. Multi-medalist Olympian Bonnie Blair and former NFL quarterback and Olympian Randy Dean addressed the audience. A formal dinner followed and the evening concluding with the feature table tennis matches including US Open participant and comedian Frank Caliendo.


Here’s a link if you’re interested in more information about the event http://usopenmilwaukee.com