Acting like puppies, working like dogs
So its been three months, kinda, since our last post. What have we done since then? HEAPS! We have set up an office, bought equipment and been chasing clients like no tomorrow. Every day has had its challenges but each has come with a bacon and egg roll with coffee or hot chocolate.
This office station is fully operational
Our adventure has led us to the racetrack on several occasions and one of our potential clients. Like many times before we have been there, this time was for real. After nearly six months of following DHR, I have been tutored in how to shoot at a racetrack without a media vest. This time though was very different. Two days of shooting and filming our client’s class of vehicles.
Getting gear ready at 3am...
Our brief was “Make the client want us by proving what we can do.” This was a challenge for both of us on the team as it was considered my day. You see I am the technical one while Dan is the master of ceremonies and mischief. So after lugging my gear around to where we have called home many times over the last few months we found our base of operations. There was only one problem, it was wet which is bad for camera equipment if water gets into the mechanisms.
Knowing that the café has an undercover section, Dan and I raced there to get the job underway as our brief was about to get underway. Shooting cars in the wet is a gift as most cameras can’t pick up the speed in the background. The shots from this were amazing (but can’t be shown as they haven’t been viewed by the client yet so we’re keeping them under wraps). There is speed and determination of each driver was amazing as they seemed to be going harder than the other class racing out there in their assortment of cars.
After shooting we raced off to interview and film the drivers about what their first racing memories, why they choose their class of cars, why they chose their car, what was their favourite track and who is their biggest rival. The two we interviewed gave us amazing answers as they, like Dan were naturals in front of the camera. With the weather clearing up was went to film the second round of the day. When they finished we hunted down the drivers to interview more but they had all packed up and headed home. With that we did the same but with plans about what we were going to shoot the next day.
Knowing that the café has an undercover section, Dan and I raced there to get the job underway as our brief was about to get underway. Shooting cars in the wet is a gift as most cameras can’t pick up the speed in the background. The shots from this were amazing (but can’t be shown as they haven’t been viewed by the client yet so we’re keeping them under wraps). There is speed and determination of each driver was amazing as they seemed to be going harder than the other class racing out there in their assortment of cars.
After shooting we raced off to interview and film the drivers about what their first racing memories, why they choose their class of cars, why they chose their car, what was their favourite track and who is their biggest rival. The two we interviewed gave us amazing answers as they, like Dan were naturals in front of the camera. With the weather clearing up was went to film the second round of the day. When they finished we hunted down the drivers to interview more but they had all packed up and headed home. With that we did the same but with plans about what we were going to shoot the next day.
Last minute phone checks...
Day two rolled around and we were out there ready to go. With a tripod and back up camera at the ready, I left Dan with the setup and tested tripod while I went to get driver shots. Knowing that the first lap is a dry run I shot all the cars I could before racing back through the crowds to the tripod to get the grid start. Praying to the weather gods, I shot the grid start.
All set up and ready to go but keeping an eye on the weather gods
Packing up the gear after getting bits and pieces of the race we went back to the pits to get some more interviews. As we started interviewing the gods damned us all and dropped the rain heavily onto all. We interviewed several more drivers before the next race began and ran off to another vantage point. As it was lunch break, Dan went shopping for his new race suit that will have HOUND across his front and back. While Dan shopped I looked at the Go Pros before the rain started again and brought in Dan’s race team chief.
While it rained and the only cover we found was the shop. We talked to the team boss about my experience day in the same type of car that Dan races. We also talked about what we were doing out there and other things about the racing world that I’m starting to know. Then the rain lifted and we set up again.
While it rained and the only cover we found was the shop. We talked to the team boss about my experience day in the same type of car that Dan races. We also talked about what we were doing out there and other things about the racing world that I’m starting to know. Then the rain lifted and we set up again.
Filming the last few parts of our visual portfolio piece, we bid adieu to the track and headed for home. After the two track days and data collection imminent we said our goodbyes at the office and went to rest our weary limbs from running around the limited section of the track. A day later I fired up the office computers, trawled for racing tunes and went through the nightmare that is editing.
The video produced was something to be proud of and with the rest of the collection that is steadily growing into a better calibre. This also helped with the tester we did a UKS several days later.
El Hefe Gigante Signing off
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