Rams’ video department is focused on quality results

Throughout the season, the Los Angeles Times examines some of the behind-the-scene jobs associated with the Rams:

A voice echoes through handheld radios and almost instantly buckets begin to drop from camera stations atop four scissor lifts at the Rams’ practice fields in Thousand Oaks.

Jeremy Wiczek sprints from bucket to bucket to retrieve memory cards that have been placed inside. Then he disappears into the Rams’ temporary modular facility on the campus of Cal Lutheran, where he loads the video footage into a computer and begins editing clips like a madman.

The Rams’ video department is always working from behind but never stops trying to get ahead.

“Usually when I pick up cards I have to run as fast as I can to get that in and get started working on editing because the coaches and players will sometimes meet right after practice and they want to watch that right away,” said Wiczek, who worked in the video department at UCLA before joining the Rams this season. “Video is huge in the NFL.”

Said Kimo Shearin, an end-zone camera operator in a scissor lift, about the No. 1 film critics, the coaches: “The first rule they tell you — do not miss a play.”

Morris Ramos is the lone camera operator at field level. He stands just far enough away to ensure that he doesn’t become part of the action, but stays close enough to capture the finest movements on camera.

“I’m in the middle of everything that happens,” said Ramos, who learned how to shoot on the job during organized team activities and training camp. “It’s very important for the coaches to have their film.”

Shooting and editing practice footage is just a fraction of the video department’s job.

Seven days a week, endless hours are spent cutting clips of each NFL game so that scouting reports can be prepared. College games also must be “clipped” so that the Rams’ scouting department can evaluate prospects.

“It’s all about the win at the end of the day and video is definitely one of the most important things, if not the most important thing,” Wiczek said.