 John writes "Bennett-Watt HD Productions' 4 year HD Television series project - 1000 field cassettes and growing. Production milestones illustrate how much goes into creating a major documentary video series.
Issaquah, WA, USA, November 2, 2005 (XTVWorld.Com) -- Producers Jim and Kelly Watt of Bennett-Watt HD Productions, Issaquah, WA are now in the third year of continuous on-location production for their ambitious High Definition (HD) documentary series “Discoveries…America”. The milestones, numbers, and organizational demands tell a story of dealing with the challenges of location video production.
“Discoveries…America” is a cultural and travel documentary series about people, history and regions unique to each state in the USA. The Watts are traveling throughout the backroads of the USA for four and one half years to film the entire series. This is the first complete state-by-state documentary series on America in over 25 years. These 60-minute programs are broadcast nationally in High Definition (HD) and are also available on DVD.
Episode number 37, filmed throughout Vermont, was recently completed. At this point in the series, the Watts have shot more than 530 hours of footage on 1,060 Fuji 30-minute HD cassettes. Subjects have ranged from hot air ballooning in New Mexico, crabbing in Maryland and barn painting in Ohio to historical sites in Virginia, old time mountain music in Tennessee, Longhorn cattle ranching in Texas and museum tours in Washington DC.
To reach the multitude of locations in each state, they have driven over 95,000 miles towing a 34-foot 5th wheel trailer with a ¾ ton crew cab Chevy diesel pickup. In fuel alone, they have consumed over 8,000 gallons of diesel fuel (approximately $23,000 worth).
Shooting “Discoveries…America” requires about 11 months on the road each year. The Watts usually spend 14-17 days filming each state. At the end of each production, they screen, log and write the show, then ship it back to their editor, Sterling Noren, to edit the on-line version. At the same time that the Watts are writing and organizing the state just finished, they’re setting up locations in the next state.
With new shows released each month for broadcast and DVD distribution, communications from producers in the field to office staff is vital. Filming in extreme geographic locations creates a constant set of obstacles for communications as well as equipment. These demands have required some creative solutions. The Watts have set up an arsenal of leading edge technology to keep the information flow open. A Datastorm satellite internet dish on their trailer is one link with the internet. Treo and pda cell phones on two different services, provides another vital communication link both for voice and internet. Even with this technology in hand, sometimes depending on location, none of the systems work. On those days, communications between the Watts and their office is basically out of reach.
The Watts have also added computers plus a full online HD edit system to their 5th wheel trailer for rough editing as well as handling a multitude of administrative tasks. They are able to write script, log scenes, rough edit each show, create graphics for print and website, pursue contacts for interviews and locations, order stock, arrange for equipment or vehicle repairs, and run their company - all on the go. These are activities that, less than ten years ago, would have been impossible for a producer to accomplish while on location.
As milestones and accomplishments keep adding up on “Discoveries…America”, the Watts continue to hone their skills in High Definition production and utilize technology to keep all aspects of this project going smoothly. These skills gained during the past 5 years of filming and producing High Definition television programs (with over 60 hrs of finished HD programming released to date) as well as from over 40 years producing, directing and shooting news and documentaries for all three networks (ABC, NBC and CBS), as well as PBS, HDNET, ESPN and INHD.
Production of the “Discoveries…America” series continues through 2007 and will ultimately include fifty-one 60-minute shows. The programs are filmed in Widescreen Digital High Definition (HD) video and are broadcast nationally on Comcast Cable’s High Definition (HD) channel INHD2 (for broadcast dates and times go to www.INHD.com). Each program is also available on DVD.
“Discoveries…America” DVDs retail for $24.95 each. They are encoded to play in all regions and are playable on most DVD players internationally.
Contact:
John Wehman
Bennett-Watt Entertainment Inc
Phone: 425-392-3935 / Fax: 425-392-4104
Phone: 425-392-3935
info @ bennett-watt.com
13021 244th Ave Southeast
Issaquah, Washington 98027 USA
www.Bennett-Watt.com
http://www.DiscoveriesAmerica.com. "
|
Digg
del.icio.us
Furl
