Camera Setups for Pilot Episode : high def: Confessions of a reality show newbie.

Camera Setups for Pilot Episode

To save money we only utilized a single camera during each shot on the MotorSport Ranch set. The primary camera was a huge Sony HD camera. We also used two small JVC first generation HD single chip cameras for the in-car camera shoots. The primary footage of the show was filmed in 1080i HDTV with the big camera; however, the small in car cameras could only produce 720p HDTV. We decided the deal with the quality differences in post.

Director’s notes on camera mounts:

Sony HD Camera “Big Camera” and Trunk Mounts - rig just one car with hood and trunk mount. This will be a car that is not part of the race. Perhaps have Jack drive this car since he is not in the race. We will rig it so that you can’t tell what car it is; none of the car will be visible in the frame. This car will serve as the POV shot for each of the real cars in the race. We’ll repeat the race multiple times with this car “standing in” for the three racecars. This car will also be our camera car to lead and tail the race.
JVC HD Camera Single Chip #1 - Mounted on the dashboard inside the race cars for a CU of each driver - we’ll shoot one full lap per driver.
JVC HD Camera Single Chip #2 - Over the shoulder POV looking out the windshield - inlike the hood and tail mount this will reveal which car are in, showing some of the steering wheel, dashboard and hood.
JVC HD Camera Single Chip #1 - hand held interior Viper and Ferrari - the camera operator is in the front passenger seat, his job is to get coverage of the driver and of the other cars passing or being passed - all in one shot. This will be the shaky-cam g-force camera. We will not be able to do this with the open wheel racer.