Posts made in February 2025

Varsity 4: REMI Kickoff Return

The high-energy environment of a high school football game makes for an exhilarating and rewarding broadcast experience for us and the audience—no matter where the crew is positioned, or where the audience is watching!

This past high school football season, WJXT called on Gemstone Media to produce a weekly feature game.  “We wanted to showcase the talented teams in our area and were able to do that each Friday night through the high school football season,” explained Justin Barney, WJXT sports editor.  “The quality of production was top notch. Gemstone allowed us to bring a professional feel to the high school game each week.”

The resulting 11-week Varsity 4 series on the station’s streaming platform, News4Jax+, was a REMI (Remote Integration) production.

First, Gemstone sent camera operators with intercoms and bonded cellular encoders to the host stadium.

Back at the Gemstone Media office, we decoded the signals, switched cameras, inserted graphics, added slow-motion replays, and mixed audio.

Then, Justin Barney and Cole Pepper at the TV station watched and added commentary, with their audio coming back to Gemstone and the final product being streamed to viewers on News4Jax+.

While this configuration isn’t unique in sports broadcasting, it is technically challenging.  One goal was to allow Justin Barney to be able to walk out of the station’s podcasting room following the post-game wrap, and take his position for The 10 O’Clock News.

“I can’t even tell you how many compliments we received from local fans and even those who were out of state who thanked us for streaming a game of the week in 2024,” Barney concluded.

Watch this fall 2025 for another slate of top high school football matchups, as Gemstone Media produces Varsity 4 again!

Local Program Support: Property Tours of Northeast Florida

“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on vacation? With all the amazing homes and activities here in Northeast Florida, it can seem like you’re doing just that!… We invite you to join us as we dive in to the premier communities, properties, and attractions that make Northeast Florida such a desired destination.”

The Hammond Family Group recently called on Gemstone Media to support their production of Property Tours of Northeast Florida in its new season.

While we often encourage potential program production clients to “get your story out of your head and onto the screen,” we also receive requests to provide support and guidance to established productions in a specific area.

The Hammond Family Group approached Gemstone with one season of Property Tours of Northeast Florida already completed, and a clear vision for its future improvement, namely with the interview portions.

“Working with Gemstone has been a great experience as part of our team at Property Tours of Northeast Florida.  Their professionalism, expertise, and willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ has been a great blessing that’s allowed us to take this season to the next level!” declares Brady Hammond, lead residential agent for the Hammond Family Group, and the show’s co-host.  Season 2 premieres Sunday, February 16 at 11:00am on ABC25 (WJXX).

Gemstone Media can assist with your existing production, too, in whatever areas you need. Let’s chat!

Streaming the Children’s Fashion Show

The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital recently enlisted Gemstone Media to live stream its Garden Party Children’s Fashion Show from the Prime Osborn Convention Center, featuring Wolfson Children’s patients as the models.

This marks the inaugural live streaming of the Children’s Fashion Show. Streaming technology enabled the event to be accessible to children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital via their in-house television network, as well as to families and friends for convenient viewing.

“Sharing this joyous event with the children in the hospital as well as the family members that could not be at the event was a real gift. Our models are an inspiration to the other patients and the care teams at Wolfson Children’s Hospital,” reflects Kendra McCrary, President, The Women’s Board.

The Women’s Board hosts the Children’s Fashion Show as part of its annual First Coast Design Show.  The Women’s Board raises over $1 million each year for Wolfson Children’s Hospital from producing the First Coast Design Show and the Florida Forum Speaker Series.

“Gemstone Media and George Birnbaum have helped The Women’s Board for many years. They share our passion for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the children we serve,” McCrary continues.  “Gemstone Media is a wonderful partner assisting The Women’s Board in raising awareness of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Sharing the stories of patients and families is central to our mission. Gemstone’s talented team understands our work and beautifully captures these stories.”