Nowadays, there's a phrase you commonly see associated with various news stories as they appear on the internet: "caught on camera." While this could mean anything, these days it usually suggests an on-the-scene observer with a shaky, grainy cell phone camera recording an important event.

Sometimes this is a necessity: in the recent much-discussed plane collision in the sky over Wisconsin, several skydivers were able to present the world with footage thanks to the helmet cameras they were already wearing. Most of us understand there are going to be moments when a news crew isn't already there.

Also, because these videos can made cheaply, there's the sense that anyone present in front of something extraordinary might be able to "go viral" just because of where they were, as in the case of  a Canadian resident who recorded a recent electrical explosion near his house.

However, many of these portable means of capturing video in the heat of the moment come with limitations that the right video broadcasting equipment will not bring with it. What's more, even with the rise of all of this homemade footage, there's something about "official" camera documentation that still takes top place in the viewer's mind.

Moreso, professional movie cameras can serve as the distinction between where the "in the moment" footage ends and the more contemplative user takes hold.

To give every major story the gravity that it deserves, you'll have to devote real time and research to finding the equipment that offers speed and efficiency. But a broker that knows the ins and outs of the typical production process, as well as what makes a strong setup, can help your professional outfit keep its rightful place at the top of the video food chain.