KMH Integration is working with Only Make Believe (OMB), a philanthropic organization in the Washington D.C. area to brighten the lives of children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities. The Brooklyn, N.Y. based system integrator is upgrading OMB’s production studio to professional-grade broadcast technology, supporting their mission of creating interactive theater content for children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities.
OMB produces in-person shows where they bring actors and a full set to perform live in front of children. However, a significant portion of their work also involves creating in-studio programming that’s delivered as a virtual production by closed circuit television (CCTV) or live streamed directly to children’s besides. These efforts were severely limited by the physical and technical constraints of the existing OMB studio, including the lack of a dedicated control room, “consumer-grade” production gear and insufficient Internet connectivity.
“Their programming goals had far outgrown their studio capabilities,” said Kevin Henneman, president of KMH Integration. “They now have an entirely new look with new capabilities to match their vision.”
KMH’s relationship with Only Make Believe originally resulted from an initiative conceived by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2021, the “Digital Accelerator Program.” The arts and live event industries were among the hardest hit by the COVID pandemic. The Digital Accelerator program was developed to support the economic recovery of cultural non-profit and arts organizations in the U.S. and U.K., many of them philanthropic organizations or designated as cultural and historical landmarks. Bloomberg Philanthropies, working with the Lapine Group, initially allocated a total fund of $30 million to restore and preserve venues, help organizations invest in tools and training, keep their digital technology infrastructures up to date, expand their audiences and build toward future growth.
A selection process for systems integrators knowledgeable in live production and performing arts spaces led to KMH working with the Bloomberg and Lapine teams. KMH has also completed a range of Bloomberg-Lapine-related projects including upgrading the A/V technology and digital distribution platform for the Apollo and Pregones Theaters in New York City; designing studios in New York and LA for the Entertainment Community Find, an online support and career portal for the entertainment community in New York and Los Angles, and supporting Project Rowhouse, a community development and engagement platform, based in Houston, among several others.
A Unified Production Platform
The upgraded OMB studio is centered around a new 4K-capabe PTZ wall-mounted camera and the Panasonic Connect KAIROS unified live production platform. The KAIROS system gives OMB nearly unlimited flexibility to do secure, reliable video streaming, taking advantage of advancements in software-defined networks and software-controllable systems, plus IP protocols like 2110 and NDI.
Other key technology installations managed by the KMH team include retractable motorized green and blue screens, new production lighting fixtures, a wireless lapel mic infrastructure for multiple users, and dual articulating return screens. In addition to equipment installation, KMH offered consultation on workflows and future expansion, as well as guidance on Internet service upgrades.
Future-ready production
Panasonic has already begun incorporating AI engines and features into the KAIROS switcher platform through recent software updates. These new capabilities can enable on-the-fly virtual set generation to help customers get the most use out of their studio real estate. From the same physical space, it’s possible to produce programming with an international background in the morning and then a regional spot or sports-themed show in the afternoon.
“Of course, this is a business, but projects like these are a higher priority than profitability,” Henneman said. “We wanted to support OMB with whatever they needed to produce the right content for their audience. Maybe it’s purely entertainment content, or something more inspirational like gathering older kids who may have overcome a specific condition to show to a child currently dealing with that situation. It cheers kids up, but it can also give them hope.”
“Convalescing is an arduous and stressful experience at any age,” added Max Baldelli. KMH project coordinator. “OMB uplifts the patient’s state of mind and improves their sense of well-being during the process, which is a thoughtful and honorable objective indeed, and it’s rewarding to play a part in helping to enhance their content quality.”
