EMG has long established itself as a specialist in the (international) production of non-scripted reality shows. This role was further highlighted during an exclusive client event.

At the EMG building in Hilversum’s Media Park, various (editing) rooms were transformed into a cozy, Big Brother-style setting, complete with a bedroom, living room, and a ‘confession room,’ all equipped with multiple robotic cameras. Daan Thieme from Lichtmacht provided both decorative and functional lighting, using lamps that delivered daylight, artificial light, and infrared. Over the course of a week, clients were guided through the so-called Fixed Rig Productions process in two daily sessions.

Fixed Rig revolves around strategically placed, discreet cameras. They are everywhere, yet invisible. There are no camera crews on set and no bulky equipment disrupting the atmosphere. As a result, participants quickly forget they are being filmed, leading to intimate footage and natural behavior—ideal for reality shows, documentaries, and social experiments.

From A to Z

Peter Van der Slycken is the manager of the ENG department at EMG Belgium and also serves as project manager sales for Fixed Rig Productions, alongside colleagues Jonas Baguet and Eva Spit. “What we usually do is prep & set,” says the Belgian, who temporarily relocated to Hilversum but normally operates from Vilvoorde. “Once the setup is in place on location, we let the hiring producer—whether Portuguese, Spanish, or Polish—bring in their own team. We provide them with one or two days of training, after which they handle the technology themselves, with one of our team members remaining on-site for support or troubleshooting if anything breaks.”

“Fixed Rig is essentially a complete A-to-Z solution,” Van der Slycken continues. “The setup incorporates elements from traditional broadcasting, complemented by ENG, strategically placed remote cameras and microphones, and is further integrated with recording and post-production workflows.” It is ideal for dating shows like Ex on the Beach, Are You The One, or Love Island, where EMG has an extensive track record, but also for long-running non-factual series such as Spoed 24, Het Leven Zoals Het Is, or De Luchthaven, where maximum flexibility is required. “You can leave a setup in place for three months and simply pick the best footage.”

Remotely

“A typical production includes between 30 and 80 cameras, 12 to 24 microports (transmitters), and around 30 microphones placed throughout all areas. We then create a nerve center: the central control room where everything is managed. Here, all video and audio feeds are monitored, and we communicate with both the crew and participants, allowing for fully remote directing. For example, when we did Paradise Hotel in Thailand, we installed 35 remote cameras. The biggest challenge there was logistics—transporting heavy equipment to an island, dealing with limited infrastructure, and covering long distances for cabling.”

“Since 2020, ITV has had a hub in Gran Canaria for international versions of Love Island and Ex on the Beach, among others. We are fully responsible for the technical facilities there, in collaboration with ITV Studios Netherlands. With a permanent setup of 50 remote cameras and a dedicated on-site team, we offer a complete package. Clients even receive a tablet—essentially a personal monitor—that allows them to view all camera feeds. For Love Island, we also handle post-production, ensuring that footage is ready for broadcast and online release within 24 to 72 hours after filming.”

Growing demand

“Since 2019, EMG has been regularly producing Fixed Rig productions, focusing on professionalization, improved workflows, and greater efficiency. We have also expanded our services to include installation, post-production, and audio. Not every provider in the market can offer such a complete package. Additionally, we have true specialists on our team, as we employ dedicated Fixed Rig producers and technicians. Thanks to this specialization, we can handle three to four Fixed Rig programs simultaneously. We are also seeing a growing demand for hub productions, where a single fixed location is used for multiple country versions, such as the villa in Gran Canaria.”

“Our focus remains on providing a complete package—from installation and filming to post-production. With dedicated hardware and technical expertise, we can work efficiently and manage multiple projects at once. We continue to invest in new technology and refine our workflows to meet the growing demand and evolving needs of the industry. I always enjoy engaging with clients and finding the best ways to bring their ideas to life.”

Source: BM