New Discovery Show shot with Sony Z7U "Wreckreation Nation"

T

tvacom

Well-known member
Hello all,
Just wanted to give you a heads up on a new discovery show called 'Wreckreation with Dave Mordal' that has been out for 2 weeks now. We shoot it on the new Sony Z7U camera. We shoot to tape and CF card simultaneously(works awesome). At night we dump cards and the tapes go to post in New York and the CF card data comes back to LA where story producers will use is to write the pieces. We also use CX7 sony small cameras for POV. Sometimes we throw in a POV1 camera. We have been on the road coming up on 7 months now. Just wanted to give the community a chance to see what some of the shows are being shot on out there. I have been a die hard panasonic guy for years now. I dp'd MTV Jamie Kennedy's Blowin Up, VH1 The Rock Life, MTVs Buzzin all on DVX100's (and many more) I have owned 10 DVX's over the years, I still own 1 dvx, 2 hvx200 and 4 Sony Z7U,
I have to tell you I really like the sony in the hand. It has the interchangeable lens that has a big camera feel. The timecode among cameras stays within frames. We jam them twice a day in a 12 hour day. The real lens feel with focus and iris etc really makes a big difference. Trust me when I tell you that I still love the panasonic look but when it comes to shooting if you get a chance test out a Z7U.
Tom. nights show is a good one with a mix of fun POV and events if you get a chance check out the show and let me know what you think.
thanks for everything over the years.
Jarred, Barry and Evin over the years have always come quickly with knowledge and answers in a fast and timely manner and have become great friends and have provided a great service to filmmakers all over.
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/wreckreation-nation/wreckreation-nation.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmnNiVpkPK0
My rant is done. . .
thanks
dave thies
director/DP
 
I used the Sony Z7U, along with the HVX200 & EX1, on a shoot covering the closing of a huge GM plant in Moraine, Ohio in December. I found it the best among that group for run and gun shooting. Just the feel of it reminded me of shooting with an Arri SR with a Zeiss lens on it. Lovely.

Look forward to seeing your show!

-Russ
 
Hey Dave,

Discovery Channels Storm Chasers crew used the Z7's for this last season of Storm Chasers and they all really liked it for a run 'n gun camera. I shot my tornado show with hvx200's, it was a workflow nightmare. My footage looks better (all shot in 1080, dialed out the mojo) and holds up better for color correction but it's hard to beat that camera for run n' gun stuff. Disco loves the Z7's. And it's a HDV camera.

Z7 is an awesome camera for run n' gun stuff...

Last time I talked to you on the phone you said you filmed a guy wrestling an alligator and it bit him. Did he live??? he he he

Come join us this year tornado chasing!

Chip
 
Dave,

Congratulations on your show! I've seen ads on Discovery, but now I'll definitely watch it tomorrow.

And thanks for showing once again that content is more important than what camera you shoot with. Not that there's anything wrong with the Z7U, but many people just get too bogged down with Discovery's technical specs.
 
The cameras been great. I was shooting in -10 degrees last week and it performed flawless. Depends on what level of show for discovery (gold, silver, bronze) you are shooting but I am really happy with everything so far. . .I could always use more time for beauty shots. But hey cant we all. . .
Chip how are things going. It has been a long shoot and more stuff happened. a lady gets flipped twice during the bull fighting(rodeo clown) segment. Cars get banged up. . .it has been a great ride. . .
I think I am going to go to Hawaii after this show is done and do some underwater stuff for a few weeks. . .
Did you get your edit done?
Arent you coming out here soon?
Let me know
peace
dave
 
Hey Dave,

Can't wait to see this show :) Sounds like it was a lot of fun to shoot!

An editor will start on my show in about 30 days when she gets done with a project she is working on now. She has produced / edited a 5 part series called Natural Disasters and produced / edited a lot of stuff for A&E network and many other projects.

I'm here for tornado season then after july I'll start looking for a condo (maintenance free place pref by the beach) so my time will be split 50-50% between KC & LA.

I'll call you in the next couple weeks. Enjoy Hawaii man!

Peace
Chip
 
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Hi Dave:

I saw an episode of your show last night, looked pretty good. It was the one with the rock climbing cars in Tennessee. Fun stuff.

Have you shot all of those DSC shows for the same prodco? Just curious. Also, what are the differences between the Gold, Silver and Bronze shows? Is it air slots or budget or ??? I have had shows on A&E and TCM, but never DSC.

Thanks,

Dan
 
This series is produced by true entertainment. This s the first show I have shot for DSC. Although I sold an hour special to Animal Planet 2 years ago. The difference between the gold silver and bronze really comes down to budget and what type of cameras you have to use and how much footage has to be HD. Ie if you acquire footage from someone that you are filming and it is SD only say 20% can be SD etc. each show is different depending on the type of show for them you are doing. The episode you saw with Rock crawling was the first segment we ever shot for the show so not the finest but it is a great show and has been a blast to shoot. We shot some fun POV on the episode. The New York times was just with us this past weekend and they are doing a story on the show that should come out in the next few weeks. I will post a link when it comes out.
 
Very cool Dave. I know that a lot of us are working on trying to develop shows for outlets like Discovery so your "in the heat of it" feedback in invaluable. I have produced and shot shows for A&E (Biography) and TCM (couple of feature length docs) but have never done anything for Discovery so this is good info.

Is it true that you can only have your show air on Discovery if it has the words, "extreme, wreck, destroyed or buster"? ;-) Discovery has some cool stuff but I personally would like to see a bit more diversity in their programming slant. You can only watch so many things get destroyed, blown up or crashed.

Good luck,

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
Is it true that you can only have your show air on Discovery if it has the words, "extreme, wreck, destroyed or buster"? ;-) Discovery has some cool stuff but I personally would like to see a bit more diversity in their programming slant. You can only watch so many things get destroyed, blown up or crashed.
Click to expand...

I think Discovery, like every other broadcaster, is just trying to get the biggest bang for their production dollar (excuse the pun): the most ad revenue for the least production costs. I'm sure they're open to more cerebral programming if you can show them a healthy bottom line.
 
all channels content needs changes all the time. New management, changing times etc. I dont know of any words that are required lol. . .
Chip I am waiting to see some of your tornado footage. Tonight episode has Dave the host racing minimotorcyles. It is pretty funny. Not bad coverage for 2 camera guys either. . .
dave
 
Having used the z7 on a few days there were a few things I didn't care for. But, I haven't had a ton of experience with that camera, so maybe it's about getting used to it. #1 problem I had was you can't use the focus assist (don't recall the sony name for it) while the camera is rolling. When shooting run and gun I don't have the luxury to stop rolling to punch in to double check focus. Is there something (maybe in the menu settings) I was missing? Also, ergonomically I found it difficult to reach across the lens if I wanted to use the servo-zoom with my left hand. I'm not trying to slam the Z7, just a few things I didn't much care for.
 
tvacom said:
all channels content needs changes all the time. New management, changing times etc. I dont know of any words that are required lol. . .
Chip I am waiting to see some of your tornado footage. Tonight episode has Dave the host racing minimotorcyles. It is pretty funny. Not bad coverage for 2 camera guys either. . .
dave
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Dave that was my favorite promo for the show that I have seen so far.

When I sold one of my harleys I bought a pocket bike and would show up for bike night on it. Instead of parking it I would pick it up and carry it in the bar and hang it on the coat hanger.

One night I had 2 beers and it was disassembled by a Latino with a pocket knife. No joke, had to buy another one on eBay.

Everyone all of a sudden is wanting to see my tornado footage. I have kept it off of youtube and stock footage houses. Never seen before by anyone, the people in it haven't even seen it. I'm now on hold until April before I can show it to others.

I have a couple shots of your lady friend from the disco storm chasers crew if you want those :) It's funny because I recognized her (hair cut) from a small pic on facebook through other friends a week or two ago.

Gotta run, the Doritos guys are on Leno right now. They should have had Michael Phelps throw the crystal ball at the Doritos machine.

Are you in LA this weekend?
 
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When shooting on the Z7 and not able to use the focus assist. I just use the feet and do my best to guess the distance or wait for a second to pop in and check focus. I rarely use the zoom function I have the servo turned off and do a lot of snaps.
 
that show looks awesome!
i saw a bit on the discovery site about lawn mower racing... mower racing is big in my little home town. my neighbors started racing in their backyards with friends and now it's turned into this huge annual event. here's a video that i put together for fun a couple years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqJCgMllLfI

this sorta stuff is right up my alley. i love watching people do crazy things for fun. haha
 
I don't use the servo much either. But, it is nice to be able to reach it if you'd like. ;-) This would be mostly when panning on sticks (using my right hand to pan) I like to be able to focus AND zoom with me left. I think that's just about getting used to the ergonomics of that camera. As for the focus. I've done exactly what you suggest. Seems to be the best solution. I just was curious if I was missing something. I think it's a flaw in the design. But, I'm not trying to knock the camera. Just on first use, it wasn't a favorite of mine.
 
I'm on a Discovery Studios show right now that's all Z7Us. Nice camera for the most part. The output options are lamentable and the dockable DR over the battery compartment is simply one of the worst design ideas I've ever encountered in the real world. Uh... well, okay. Not the absolute worst.

I reserve that distinction for any American car manufactured between 1974 and 1995. Craptastic!

e
 
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