Polecam Operator Tales by John Gillan

Polecam at the X-Games 16 for ESPN 3D

2010-08-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

29th July to 1st Aug

Los Angeles hosted the X Games 16 and ESPN as usual were covering the event. The X-Games is one the largest TV operations that ESPN produce and this year was the first time it was transmitted live in 3D on their new channel ESPN 3D. I was asked to supply 2 Polecam systems for the Games and one was required to shoot in 3D positioned at the top of the Big Air ramp and the other in 2D at the Motocross events.

I chose to use the Toshiba HD1 cameras for both rigs because of their excellent quality and compatability with Polecam's remote control unit. The cameras only output a 1080i signal and ESPN required a 720p output, so a couple of cross converters onboard the ESPN truck resolved this issue. On the 3D rig the 2 Toshibas were controlled by 2 Polecam developed RCPs and data was sent via a single length of telephone data cable. Video output from the cameras was HD-SDI and was converted to optic fiber to the production trucks by 2 'Rattlers' supplied by Fletchers of Chicago. The 3D optical allignment was made simple by Polecam's new 3D camera mount and setting up was done by the guys from Pace Technologies. We found the best inter-ocular distance between cameras for my position was 4cm. "The over the shoulder shots of the rider looking down the huge Big Air ramp and then dropping in looked impressive enough in 2D but were stomach tingling in 3D". The preparation for setting up all the 3D and 2D cameras, cables and integrating the production trucks took 3 days.

The second Polecam rig was positioned at another stadium covering Motocross events and was a much simpler 2D setup. Again a toshiba HD1 camera was used and the rig was operated by Boyd Anderson from Oregon. The ability to reposition the rig quickly and easily gave ESPN some uniquely positioned jib shots getting the camera close to the action but because of it's lightweight camera head did not add a safety risk to the motocross bikes and riders.

This was the 3rd time Polecam has been used at the X-Games by myself. The previous 2 years it was used to record 3D footage for the 'X-Games Movie 3D'. "ESPN must have liked the footage Polecam got in the last two X-Games as this year they wanted twice as many!"

Time Team Special - The Secrets of Westminster Abbey - Channel 4

2010-07-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to shoot for the fabulous 'Time Team' programme. I was fortunate to work with them for the first time on this special.

They required some jib shots working in confined and difficult to get to areas of the abbey which only a polecam could achieve. Areas that were out of normal public access. Some of the shrines had only a 2 ft gap above them and a ceiling above but a drifting top shot was required. This was perfect for the polecam's small head to get in between the space and shoot. We also carried the Polecam's 2 bags and tripod up a 100 step spiral staircase into the delicate over hanging rafters of the abbey to extend outwards to achieve some magnificent wide angled vertical rotating shots. Finally, some delicate footage of the unique medieval mosaic floor that was being restored after being covered up for nearly 1000 years was required. The Toshiba HD1 camera and its prime lenses made easy work to create beautiful sweeping shots over the shoulders of the restorers and down to within inches of the tiles still holding great depth of field.

NFL Scouting Combine

2010-04-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've been very fortunate to have now worked on the NFL Combine using Polecam for 5 years now and it keeps getting better. Its part live and part recorded coverage of the NFL draft of new players into professional football and is held every year in Indianapolis, USA.

My HD polecam uses the Toshiba HD1 camera with the fuji 4mm lens for this event and the jib is set to the 4 metre length. This gives me good high shots and doesn't impeed my movements around the field. I am hooked up to the truck via fiber optic and use a Rattler to convert the HD-sdi to Fiber. Plus 1 composite for my return and 1 XLR audio cable for camera data and tally from the Polecam RCP in the truck. All works great and on battery power. With the aid of an assistant to cable bash I can move rapidly around the field to cover the different events and be unobtrusive.

Polecam at the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver

2010-03-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

9 Polecams in total were used at the 2010 Winter Olympics and I and one other were the only 2 to be hired on an individual basis. I was designated to cover the Curling event. Polecam had never been used on curling before and the producers and directors were delighted at the new angles and unique shots I was able to get with it.

It was all HD of course and I used the forever faithfull Toshiba HD1 camera and RCP down fibre optic cable to the OB trucks.

Vancouver was great city too! Thanks to all I worked with.

X Games 3D movie

2009-08-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

A great opportunity was given to me to work on the X-Games and shoot in 3D with Polecam. I was new to this 3D stuff but was given excellent guidance from Pierre from Creat3 in LA who was the Stereographer.

I had several positions throughout the event but the most interesting was at the top of the Big Air event where riders plummeted down a near vertical ramp to an enormous jump at the bottom, some 80ft drop at least. The vertigo shots over the shoulders of the riders looking down the ramp was amazing in 3D. I had to remember though to always keep at least 8ft away from the subject for convergence reasons which was a little alien to my normal style with Polecam. I normally like to get in close and pull away for really dynamic shots with lots of head manipulation with Polecam to make the shots unique and stunning, so I really had to restrain my natural tendancies.

I'm glad to say that the Polecam was well received at the X-Games and I have now been booked for 2010 x games with 2 Polecams for ESPN's live and recorded coverage. Look out for it!