Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days???

[blkjack]

The bottom line here is ...the days of sportsman coverage on cable TV are long gone. The only thing we may have a future in is expanded live streaming coverage like the ADRL uses. Then again, the Pro Mods,Top Sportsman or other sub 7 second classes may get all the bandwidth

[danny waters sr]

Originally Posted by blkjack

The bottom line here is ...the days of sportsman coverage on cable TV are long gone. The only thing we may have a future in is expanded live streaming coverage like the ADRL uses. Then again, the Pro Mods,Top Sportsman or other sub 7 second classes may get all the bandwidth

I se a lot of good stuff on You-Tube toooo.

[FED 387]

OK talked to my Son in law who has 25+ years experience as an A Camera operator for both TV and feature length films---He related to me that as far as a live TV production and determining what comes up on your TV screen this is how it works

The Chain of Command goes something like this with the people from ESPN

The Director of Photography is in direct charge of the Camera men/crews

However he can be /is sometimes over ruled by the Director/Executive Director

Who sometimes is over ruled by the Producer/Executive Producer

Who can be /is sometimes overruled by the Client(NHRA) as to what is going to be shown on TV

At NO time does a Camerman ever on his own make a decision as to what he is shooting--he is controlled by the director of photography --he can suggest something

The Dir of Photography tells the camera ops to shoot it tight or wide range or give me a low profile shot or whatever or shoot only Red/Blue/Green cars today

This is accordance to the Directors wishes(or the Producers or the clients wishes)

Then you have the Executive producer overseeing the Executive Director/Director of photography too getting his wishes involved as to what ends up on the TV

Then usually in the TV production trailer at the races in addition to the Producer/Director/Photography people a REP from the Client( NHRA ) is probably there too saying we need more John Force or less Woodrow Josey or whover on the TV

The fact that NHRA is paying ESPN they can generally dictate what ends up on TV regardless of what ever is shot by the multiple camera crews on raceday even if the Director or Producer is Woodrows Bro-in-law or whatever-(Im only using Woodrow as an example cuz many recognize his name)

Now when it comes to announcers/annoucing there is control over these people too.
The announcer may be given a general guideline/script of what is to be covered during raceday or they can be on there own. But somebody ( Director/Producer/Client ) has instilled in them that we are going to talk about the Pros or whatever---Very little leeway is generally given as to the subject matter discussed on the air

So the next time you watch an NHRA race look on the credits and get the names of the producers/directors cuz that who is deciding what will appear on the TV !!!!! Unless of course NHRA is telling ESPN exactly what they want to appear on TV!!!! Which more than likely is what is happening--If so Jerry Archambeault is the NHRA VP of Communications and Jim Trace is the Director of Broadcasting & Video Communications---these are the people to complain too as well as ESPN

FED 387

[Bret Kepner]

Originally Posted by FED 387

So the next time you watch an NHRA race look on the credits and get the names of the producers/directors cuz that who is deciding what will appear on the TV!

Hey! Didja ever notice that, in thirty-two years of existence, ESPN has NEVER posted credits for the directors or producers?

Didn't think so.

If you wanted to know the "chain of command" in the ESPN production truck during NHRA events, I would've been happy to supply you with the facts. However, I have this strange feeling you'd rather stick to your own assumptions. I still get a kick out of the fact you think NHRA is telling ESPN what to air! LMAO!

Some of you guys kill me!

[FED 387]

Brett--is Shawn Murphy(Senior Coordinating Producer-event coverage) still the guy in charge of ESPN 2 coverage of NHRA drag racing???

[Ed Wright]

To quote David Buckner in another thread:
"I kept trying to explain what the car was and how it was classed, but kept getting blank stares, lol. Just hope they say something about it being a AA stocker. I believe rusty hall went to the final 8 as well in his mustang at the phoenix race, so we should have two stockers back to back shows! Hope y'all enjoy, I know we will.

David Buckner 4772 stk"

Same reason nobody but us care to watch us. They don't understand what we do, nor care to learn about it. To the casual fan, after the fuel cars run we look slow and boring as hell. Throw in the handicap starts and break outs? Duh!

They leave the stands as soon as the fuel cars finish and before Pro Stock comes up, which is heads up and much faster than 99% of us.

Watch low ten second cars on pinks run, looks like they are just casualy driving down the track. Not fast enough to be exciting on TV.

[A100]

Here is an example of what can be done

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dragstory-audio

The person that was suppose to do the streaming didn't show up. They just threw up a static camera and have the audio. Not much cost to it. This was done with very little cost.

This set up was patched together in two days.