Go To Team, High Definition Video Production Services

LA Crew Steps Into The Ring For Fox And The UFC

2012-02-22T06:00:00-08:00

How many cameras can one DP really use in one day? If you’re shooting promos for Fox’s coverage of the UFC, you can use three! Skip Clark, one of Go To Team’s two crews based in Los Angeles, CA, recently DP’d the promos and artwork shoot for Fox up in Santa Clarita, CA. Fox wanted several distinct looks for all the artwork, including fire, slo-motion, and an octagon similar to what they fight in for the big events. Each set needed a different camera. Skip used the Panasonic Varicam to shoot the fighters with fire; he wanted to use an ENG lens for snap zooms and then used a very low shutter angle (giving that high speed shutter look) to make the footage very sharp and edgy. There was Fox Sports signage in both the foreground and background for Skip to play off of. Then over with the Phantom camera, they set up a white drop with the UFC logo painted on it – simple. But throw in pounds of confetti and a championship belt and it’s a shot – all 750 frames per second of it! And finally, over in the octagon, they had the fighters pose and workout. Skip used his Sony F3 and Arri Ultra Primes to create depth inside and outside the octagon on his shoulder and on an 18 foot jib. With all the cameras, angles, and looks Fox walked away from one shoot with three distinct styles for all their promos.

Nashville Crew Wraps Up the Year with NASCAR Legend

2012-02-20T06:00:00-08:00

Before the ball drop in New York City and everyone started celebrating the new year I found myself in Darrel Waltrip’s Honda Dealership. Fox Sports was putting together a piece on television innovator, David Hill and they needed a few sound bites from D.W. We set up the interview in Mr. Waltrip’s office. Before we knew it the three time champ was in the hot seat and I was rolling. After the interview was over we started packing up. I grabbed the tape from my HDX 900 and handed it to the courier waiting to ship the tape to LA. Being the big NASCAR fan I am I’d have to say this was a great way to end my first year in Nashville, TN. Happy New Year!

LA Crew’s Skip Clark, Finds His Mecca in Atlanta, GA

2012-02-17T06:00:00-08:00

We’re not going sugar-coat this – Skip really loves his Chick-Fil-A. It could probably be classified as an addiction. So imagine how happy he must have been when he stumbled on the original Chick-Fil-A in Atlanta, GA!? Skip, one of Go To Team’s two Los Angeles based crews, was recently in Atlanta for a feature shoot for Fox Sports. On his way from the airport he happened to find the original Chick-Fil-A, complete with the Dwarf House… and just in time for breakfast!

If you’re ever in Atlanta and happen to love Chick-Fil-A almost as much as Skip (it’s going to be hard to top him!), be sure to check the place out. It’s very unique with its Dwarf House entrance (part of Chick-Fil-A’s original marketing schtick) along with a classic diner bar serving the full menu along with diner classics. This original location is located in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville right between Interstates 75 and 85, just north of the airport.

Nashville Crew Heads Out Dyersburg, TN For Tru TV

2012-02-15T06:29:13-08:00

Earlier in the year I made the trip out to Dyersburg, TN to shoot the stars of Tru TV’s “Full Throttle Saloon” as they leave for South Dakota. This time I went out there to shoot some reaction interviews to help tell the story of this year’s season which is set to air at the end of November. With a trusty HDX 900 by my side I ventured west.

This was one of those shoots where you spent more time on the road than actually shooting. We arrived at the Full Throttle Shop in Dyersburg and set up. The set up was fast and simple. The producer wanted the interviews to look like they were shot at the bar in South Dakota. With some questions and reaction lines in my hand I fed Angie and Michael their lines.

Before we knew it, we were done. After the shoot I stopped by the local Fedex and shipped the tapes out. With the tapes out of my hands all that was left to do was drive back to Nashville.

Raleigh Crew Helps to Tell the Story of a Missing Veteran

2012-02-13T06:00:00-08:00

The last whereabouts of Retired Army Sergeant Hattie Brown were captured by a Sheetz gas station surveillance camera at 2:33 a.m. May 16 2009. She was accompanied by her nephew. Eight weeks later her car was discovered , abandoned behind an old barn in Halifax County Va. The vehicle had been completely destroyed by fire, no human remains were found.

Her nephew was the last person to see her.

The new TV One series “Find Our Missing” and Go To Team’s Raleigh based cameraman Jimmy Hall spent a few days with family members and investigators reliving the days that led up to Hattie’s disappearance. The interviews and reenactments were shot with the Sony F900. We also mounted Go Pro’s for the night driving sequences. Look for the show to air on TV ONE in early 2012. Here’s to hoping that more will be revealed after Hattie’s story get’s out to a national audience.

LA Crew Has Just Two Hours To Shoot Fox’s Fox :45

2012-02-08T06:00:00-08:00

One of the newest segments on the Fox Sports NFL Pre-Game show is Fox :45. Every week the producers have just 45 seconds to make us laugh with everything from short skits to song covers and impersonations. Go To Team’s Skip Clark, based in Los Angeles, CA, has been shooting most of these segments in the studio using everything from the Sony F3 to the Panasonic Varicam. Go To Team’s other toys, like the Wally Dolly Micro-Dolly, MYT slider, and Arri Ultra Primes kit have been working the entire season to help make every segment. Recently Skip DP’s a segment with Bernie Kim as he covered George Michael’s song Faith with unique lyrics about the Philadelphia Eagles’ struggles this season. Skip used his Sony F3 as the primary camera while a Panasonic Varicam was used for cut-aways and a more edgy look.

LA Crew Goes On Stage With Travis Barker

2012-02-06T06:00:00-08:00

Go To Team’s Skip Clark was on stage with Travis Barker recently as he lensed a music video opening for the Fox Sports NFL pre-game show. Fox Sports has been taking viewers through the season with a series of opens called The Journey. Producers have brought in various celebrities from all parts of pop culture to introduce each week’s show and while Skip has shot many of them, the Travis Barker open was probably the most unique. The drummer, noted for his time with Blink 182, brought in his full set of drums and Skip brought the lights and camera. Big lights.

Shooting on stage on the Fox lot in Los Angeles, they set up dolly track all the way around the small stage set up for Barker and then added a series of 6 and 9 lights for the background. The dolly mostly played the front 180 degrees of the round while Skip moved through the length of his Arri Ultra Primes kit. Shooting everything on Go To Team’s Sony F3 and set of Arri Ultra Primes, Skip was able to crush the blacks while creating depth to make a very dramatic look for the shoot.

The Journey: Go To Team’s LA Apprenticeship

2012-02-03T06:00:00-08:00

The Go To Team apprenticeship has been quite a journey so far. The adventure began as I loaded up my belongings and left South Carolina and headed for sunny California. I was very excited to have the opportunity to learn from the LA crews’ Skip Clark and Dan Lowrey. My first few days with Skip and Dan were spent learning everything about the newest and best gear. Hands on training with the Arri Alexa, Sony F3 equipped with Zeiss Ultra Prime lenses, Panasonic HD Varicam and Canon DSLR kits that would make your average news photographers head explode.

I quickly learned that Los Angeles is not just where the celebrities play but also where they work. Every week has been star studded with A-listers like Nicole Sherzinger, Usher, Travis Barker, Tom Arnold, Jimmy Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Slash, Don Rickles, Frank Caliendo and his a million and one celebrity impersonations… the list goes on.

Our time has not just been spent working out of the FOX Studios in LA. Skip and I have also been traveling across country to capture art work for Fox Sports’ NFL on FOX pre-game and post-game shows. We aren’t just shooting immaculate time-lapses and amazing scenery in these headlining cities; we’re also attending the games for specialty footage. Skip stands out on the sideline when his F3 is armed with an enormous 40X telephoto lens.

As the NFL season comes to a close Skip and I can already smell the gas fumes from NASCAR season in the distance. The journey continues…

Politics takes Center Stage for Orlando Camera Crew at CPAC

2012-02-01T06:00:44-08:00

Former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich - CPAC Orlando, Fl. 2011

Go To Team’s Orlando DP/Partner Dan Beckmann helped cover CPAC in Orlando, Florida last month.

CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, helped bring together three republican candidates vying for their parties presidential nomination.

Shooting in high def on the Panasonic HDX 900, Beckmann and Audio Operator, Trey Jenkins captured the speeches of the former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, republican front runner, Mitt Romney, and Minnesota Congresswoman, Michelle Bachmann.

Held at the Orange County Convention Center, the event brought thousands of supporters from a across the state, and the country.

Founded in 1964, the ACU (American Conservative Union who sponsored the event), is America’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization.

The republican candidates debate - Orlando, Florida

Front Runner - Mitt Romney takes to the podium

Minnesota congresswoman, Michelle Bachmann states her position to an enthusiastic crowd

Nashville Crew Hits The Campaign Trail With Fox News

2012-01-30T06:00:00-08:00

Political season is in full swing, there’s no question about that. I headed to Spartanburg, SC for Fox News to cover the tenth Republican debate. With an early morning drive under my belt I set up for live shots all day at Wofford College.

I was shooting on the Panasonic HDX 900. I used two 400w HMIs to light my correspondent, Carl Cameron. A 200w HMI provided some backlight. Throughout the day/night Carl Cameron reported on the debate. Mark Sanford also provided some commentary after the debate as well.

The next morning we set up for live shots in downtown Greenville, SC. We couldn’t have picked a prettier location. The leaves were falling, the sun was shining, and Greenville has such a great “main street” look. After another day of live shots it was time to wrap up and head back to Nashville. I look forward to more political coverage.

Fox News correspondent, Carl Cameron, on main street in Greenville, SC.

Mark Sanford reporting after the debate in Spartanburg, SC.

LA Crew Takes To Late Night TV with Fox Sports- Sorta

2012-01-25T06:00:00-08:00

Skip Clark, one of Go To Team’s two Los Angeles crews, was recently in the studio with comic impersonator Frank Caliendo as he shot his ‘Frank’s Picks’ segment for the Fox Sports NFL Pre-Game show. Frank was playing his characters David Letterman and Paul Shaffer. As Fox isn’t going to get to shoot on the real Letterman set, they used a green screen for the shot. A desk, complete with Letterman’s microphone and ‘Late Show’ coffee mug, along with a small set for the “Late Show’ band was all they needed to complete the shot and Skip used the Panasonic Varicam for the shoot.

Nashville Crew Spends Thanksgiving in Baton Rouge

2012-01-23T06:00:00-08:00

Life as a cameraman can mean working during the holidays. Last year I spent Christmas with the Weather Channel. This year I spent Thanksgiving on the road for The Music Initiative. The best part was that my sister came along for the shoot down in Baton Rouge. It was nice to be with some family on Turkey Day.

The shoot it’s self was pretty cool too. Armed with an HVX 200 and a nexto, I spent the day shooting tail-gaters trying Palmetto cheese before the LSU vs. Arkansas game. Later in the day I shot Thomas Champagne rocking out. Afterwards I copied the footage over to their hard drive. Before I knew it my sister and I were on the road back to Nashville.

LA Crew is Staying Busy with New Slider!

2012-01-20T06:00:00-08:00

Using the slider for Outside The Lines at Pearl Harbor

Los Angeles based Dan Lowrey made his move back to California and hasn’t even had time to get his surfboard wet! He’s spent the last few months covering some of the coolest projects out there from traveling to Switzerland, Hawaii, Arizona, Tampa, Texas, St Louis and Milwaukee. One of Lowrey’s favorite toys is his new MYT Slider. It travels perfectly in a Storm case, which means you can get cool shots anywhere in the world! A dolly requires a smooth/flat surface to get a good shot but the slider attaches to a tripod and can be used on an array of surfaces. It can handle a tricked out 5D or even a full size Varicam sliding at a 4 foot length. Check out the video below to see what the slider can do for your next shoot.

Slider Video

The Atlantis In Dubai Opens With A Bang For Our Orlando Crew

2012-01-18T06:00:00-08:00

Go To Team has had its passport stamped many times over.

And GTT’s Orlando-based Partner/Director of Photography, Dan Beckmann, has had many pages added to his already crowded passport.

From covering wars in the Middle East, to shooting documentaries in Belfast, Beckmann has covered some of the world’s largest media events; like the grand opening of The Atlantis Resort on the Palm Jumeriah Island in Dubai, United Arab of Emirates.

World famous celebrities were numerous, as was the fireworks display; just over 100,000 fireworks to be exact – seven times the amount used for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was the worlds largest fireworks display – seen even from the International Space Station, and the event was covered by every major news organization around the world…

Beckmann on the roof of The Atlantis

The Fireworks display over The Atlantis Resort Dubai

Watching the Fireworks from The Palms

The city of Dubai in the distance from The Atlantis

Flying home - over Iran at 36,000 feet

Check out the fireworks display…

LA Crew Hits the Road for the Cotton Bowl

2012-01-16T06:00:00-08:00

Making cool TV with the Sony F3 and the Canon 5

LA based crew Dan Lowrey has been traveling all over the United States with FOX sports. Using every cool toy available. Sony F3, Arri Alexa, Canon 5D, and the Panasonic Varicam have been in his arsenal.

Recently he traveled to Kansas and Arkansas for the Cotton Bowl pre-game show. Interviewing the coaches and players at the Universities about the upcoming game. They also shot the weight and trophy rooms while they were on campus.

Be sure to watch the pre-game for the Cotton Bowl and see all the fun Dan Lowrey has been having!

Nashville Crew Turns Up the Heat with “Heat Seekers”

2012-01-11T06:00:00-08:00

The last time I shot for Heat Seekers I was in Charleston, SC. This time the show was shooting right in my back yard. It was great to work the talent and crew again. It was like we never missed a beat.

I spent three days working on this show. Each day we found ourselves in a different restaurant but our shooting schedule was the same. Our day always started with interviewing the chef. I shot the chef interviews on the Canon 5D while the other cameraman filmed beauty shots of the spicy dish. I spent the rest of the day shooting on the HDX 900. Our talent, Aaron Sanchez and Roger Mooking were given a first hand look at how the spicy dish is made. Then we interviewed the people after they try the dish. I also shot b-roll of the restaurant and people trying the dish.

Overall it was three action packed days. Not only did I get to work for a great show but I got to try some amazingly hot and unique food. I can’t wait to shoot for Heat Seekers again!

Charleston Crew Teams Up with Guerrilla Cuisine to Bring Food to the People

2012-01-09T06:00:00-08:00

The Mission: to bring an elegant dining experience to a secret location under guerrilla cooking conditions.

The Location: an undisclosed venue forgotten by time

The A-Team: Culinary Connoisseur “jimihatt”, and GTT’s Charleston based Baker Crew.

After helping “revitalize” (ie: removing old furniture, wiring, dust covers, and other various detritus) the abandoned venue, Dave Baker set to work documenting the preparation of the feast. Mood lighting, artwork, tablecloths, silverware, and even a musician were brought in and arranged to elevate the ambiance and set the mood for the evening. Armed with a Panasonic HDX900, Baker invaded the kitchen to shoot prep, and took shots from the shadows of the main event. In between courses, interviews with the chef, Jimihatt, and happy attendees under the glow of Kino Flo Divas. True to guerrilla form, after the last crumb of dessert was eaten, and the last drop of wine imbibed, Go To Team faded quietly into the night on their way to the next cool shoot.

Orlando Crew Takes To The Ice With Olympic Skater Johnny Weir and MAC Cosmetics

2012-01-06T06:00:00-08:00

Dan Beckmann with Johnny Weir and figure skaters for the MAC Cosmetics Glitter and Ice show

Orlando DP/Partner Dan Beckmann and audio operator Paul Gramaglia spent the day with Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.

Shooting on the HVX 200 and the new Panasonic 3DA-1 camera, Beckmann and Gramaglia captured all the day’s events for MAC Cosmetics.

Thousands of guests stopped by, as MAC Cosmetologist’s from across the country gathered for the MAC’s Glitter and Ice event at Orlando’s Mall at Millenia.

“We are glitzy, we’re glamorous, and we’re for everybody. And Johnny Weir and MAC Cosmetics are a perfect fit.” Said Lauren Patterson, Executive Director of Field Services for MAC Cosmetics southeast.

Paul Gramaglia shooting in 3D

Nashville Crew Heads to Auburn With the Music Initiative

2012-01-04T06:00:00-08:00

War eagle, y’all! I was in Auburn, AL for the weekend with the Music Initiative. Armed with a Panasonic HVX-200 and a Nexto, I found myself covering all the pregame action. Our day started on a practice field with Auburn University’s marching band. It was really cool to see how they get ready for the big day. When practice wrapped we got a few interviews with band members.

The next stop was at a frat house where the pregame party was in full swing. Musician, Thomas Champagne was rocking out while others enjoyed good food and drink. We went around and got interviews with tailgaters, asking them what their favorite game day traditions are. Afterwards we had them try some Palmetto cheese, which is sponsoring these Music Initiative shoots.

Before I could say, “War Eagle” it was time for the marching band to do their thing. I was on the sidelines getting some great shots of the marching band and the crowd. Our day ended at a deli where we grabbed some food and dumped all our footage from the Nexto onto the client’s laptop. I just love how easy the Nexto makes it while working with P2. War Eagle!

LA Crew Travels to FIFA’s World Center in Switzerland

2012-01-02T06:00:00-08:00

Beautiful view of Zurich

FOX Sports has one of their biggest soccer interviews of the year and who do they call? Go To Team that is! LA Based crew Dan Lowrey hopped on a plane to Zurich, Switzerland to interview the President of FIFA, Sepp Bladder. With rare opportunity to interview President Bladder, Lowrey had three Varicams on the shoot to capture every angle. The interview was conducted in multiple languages so it can be seen world wide. After the interview, Lowrey went around the building to grab some exterior shots.

Before their flight out the crew took a little time to check out the historical town of Zurich.

Shooting around the FIFA facility

Interview with Sepp Bladder