Sunday, January 22, 2006
Day off, sort of.
Today is LOCK DOWN at the IBC! Sounds like a cheesy movie title (like this, this, or THIS). Actually it is a security procedure that is performed by the host (TOROC) for every Olympic venue. On lockdown day, the facility or area is emptied of virtually everyone and systematically swept for ... I don't know what exactly. I'm sure they are searching for explosives, weapons, bio-chemical threats. What else? I'm not exactly sure. This involves opening every single drawer and having dogs sniff the entire place. They also open sewer lids and then weld them shut.
(Is it "lockdown"? Lock down? Lock-down? LOCK DOWN!!! is best I think.)
Following lockdown, the venue will have full security measures in place including armed guards, very limited access, as well as "mag and bag". Mag and bag refers to the metal detector and bag/luggage/equipment security check that we must go through everytime we enter ANY olympic facility. It's like going through airport security several times a day.
In Athens is was actually pretty good. The lines were never too long, and the security guards generally seemed like that gave a damn. We shall see how it goes in Torino. It is going to be pretty cold taking off our jackets each time we enter a venue/facility. I'll take a photo of the tents that are set up outside of the IBC, but I'm not sure I'll be able to take a picture inside the tent without having a gun pointed at me. gulp.
As for the day off...the IBC needs to be practically empty. The only people inside are those that are accompanying the security teams. Today is likely the last day off (for 99% of us) until the end of the games.
I have to work for about an hour today. The Director of Venue Ops and our Director Production (Bucky Gunts, he won a primetime emmy for his work on the Athens ceremonies) want to go on the roof of the Olympic stadium to check-out camera positions. The access to the roof is more than a bit dodgy, so they need to wear fall protection. I am going to meet them and teach them how to wear the stuff and what do. It's just an hour, no big deal.
(Do a quick search for Bucky Gunts on Google. There is a good clip where he is mentioned by Ricky Gervais on The Daily Show. His real name is Brent. Everyone loves the guy at work, I just met him yesterday.)
(Is it "lockdown"? Lock down? Lock-down? LOCK DOWN!!! is best I think.)
Following lockdown, the venue will have full security measures in place including armed guards, very limited access, as well as "mag and bag". Mag and bag refers to the metal detector and bag/luggage/equipment security check that we must go through everytime we enter ANY olympic facility. It's like going through airport security several times a day.
In Athens is was actually pretty good. The lines were never too long, and the security guards generally seemed like that gave a damn. We shall see how it goes in Torino. It is going to be pretty cold taking off our jackets each time we enter a venue/facility. I'll take a photo of the tents that are set up outside of the IBC, but I'm not sure I'll be able to take a picture inside the tent without having a gun pointed at me. gulp.
As for the day off...the IBC needs to be practically empty. The only people inside are those that are accompanying the security teams. Today is likely the last day off (for 99% of us) until the end of the games.
I have to work for about an hour today. The Director of Venue Ops and our Director Production (Bucky Gunts, he won a primetime emmy for his work on the Athens ceremonies) want to go on the roof of the Olympic stadium to check-out camera positions. The access to the roof is more than a bit dodgy, so they need to wear fall protection. I am going to meet them and teach them how to wear the stuff and what do. It's just an hour, no big deal.
(Do a quick search for Bucky Gunts on Google. There is a good clip where he is mentioned by Ricky Gervais on The Daily Show. His real name is Brent. Everyone loves the guy at work, I just met him yesterday.)
