Early calls seem cruel, but that's part of the magic that brings these pre-game shows to life! I've participated in a few of these early morning shoots myself, and I completely understand the struggle between the desire for a nap and the need for caffeine. By the way, when it comes to preparing for these shoots, having reliable equipment is a must. I use equipment from here , and it helped me a lot in the shoot. Everything is top notch and I had no problems at those critical moments when everything needs to run smoothly. If you haven't already, I definitely recommend you check them out!