Lights...Camera...Automobiles?

In the course of preparing for the season, we have to prepare not only for the action on the field, but for all of the graphics and other elements that we make a part of the show. Thanks to Greg Golya, who you may have seen earlier in the blog here, we can show a little more of the production-side of the business.

The goal was to complete shooting a final scene for the new open for our pregame show of 2008. It will be a part of the Northern Ohio Chrysler Jeep Indians On Deck Open. You will have the opportunity to see this prior to the start of every pregame show that airs on the network. The shot that was being worked on would be composited into a virtual environment which would include Indians highlights and 3D models of Chrysler and Jeep vehicles.

This shoot occurred at the beginning of March. There was a setup day to light and prepare the vehicles. To do this, you would need a rather large facility to house these vehicles. Off to Akron the production team went to Bruce Gates' Art Factory located on Grant Street. And the cars were not the only stars of the day - we added our own Matt Underwood and Rick Manning (who flew up from Florida whilst in the middle of their pre-season duties) and Al Pawloski, who serves as the host for the pre-game show.

The crew for the day consisted of the following folks:
Production Director, Steve Pullen
Director of Photography, David Litz
Greg Golya, Art Director
Gaffer, Danny Wollenberg
Key Grip, Keith Nickoson
Studio Owner and Still Photographer, Bruce Gates
Stylist, Julia McComb (soon to have her own gardening blog on cleveland.com)
Car Detailer, Doug Shaheen (owner of D.E.S. Auto Detailing Services 216-999-9090)

The grip truck arrived with a full load of gear. This includes lighting, electrical, and material used to shield the lighting during the shoot. Here is Danny in the process of unloading a lot of the gear which is taken to the staging area.

The cars have to look perfect on camera. Doug Shaheen is here to make sure that they have that luster for the camera.

Checking out the shot on the set are Steve Pullen and Dave Litz. It will be their job to make sure that the lighting is set for the exact spot the talent interacts with the vehicles. This turned out to be a 2 day shoot for just a small amount of footage which will eventually be used. It is time consuming, but the reward is to be found in the end product - and everyone will take a great deal of pride in their contribution for the shots!

Steve and Dave check a monitor below to make sure that the cars are lining up the way that they want before they are shot.

It's not all work on the set - the guys share a light moment as they prepare themselves for proper placement next to the appropriate vehicle.

Studio owner Bob Gates positions a car for yet another shot in the production.

Keith Nickoson adjusts one of the many flags on the set. These flags keep light from appearing in places on the cars that would cause a glare during the shooting process. Lighting these vehicles takes a long time and can be very difficult. Each small part of a light reflecting off one of the cars can cause a flare or a "hot spot", which means the team has to adjust even more to make sure the lighting is absolutely finished to perfection.

So there it is - just another part of the production that contributes to the look of the show. We are happy to add our new title sponsor for the pregame.....and like you, I cannot wait to see the final product airing during the season. Stay tuned!

More Photos from Winterhaven

And here is more...Mac working overtime to keep us up to date from the big promotion shoot in Florida...Hard to believe that a few days of shooting occurred - the crew was really busy....

But so were the players...let's check out some of these photos....

Keep in mind, many of the 40 man roster players go through this process....and it happens in training camps all across the country.

This is truly the best time of the year for the media to perform its "leg" work making sure there is video and still pictures for all of the team.

Here is Mac pasing along a little direction.... The players take direction well as previously mentioned and can enjoy the whole photographic/video process...

They are just as intereted to see how they look as the crew is - you could say it is really a collaborative effort....

Here is Steve directing his player exactly where he would like to see him...with the proper lighting and the correct placement.

And so it goes....more pics to come on the final day!

STO in HD....

This will be the season for us to transition into high definition television for the entire regular season. (Don't try to adjust your set during spring training - those games will still be in standard definition.) I have seen over time our good friend here at WKYC Frank Macek addressing the subject of this very exciting change in broadcasting.

There is still time for you to acquire that 52" screen for the Tribe's run for the pennant this year. If you feel so inclined, I have added a couple of links here for you to check out just what HDTV is and how it works. These are just a couple of reports listed with many other articles on digital vs. HD, as well as what to look for in a set.

You will notice a lot more detail. in the HD picture. We certainly can tell that in showing off ballparks, the wide shot takes on another dimension. We have offered many different looks of Progressive Field --- even Fenway Park looks like a place you would like to visit! (OK, maybe not) The panoramic shots give you that film appearance of cinemascope leaving you with an interesting view inside the park and sometimes out to the city, making you feel like you are actually there.

Surround sound adds another dimension to the visual. When the show is mixed, crowd noise fills the air and again, you can be transported to the game itself feeling that you are a part of it. Once again there are a variety of ways to do this, depending on room size and the seating arrangement.

Dont be shy... pull up your easy chair, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the excitement of the games in HD! I know we will!

Snowbound Progressive Field.....

Today was a great day to head over to the baseball field and check out some camera positions for the upcoming season. We might be making a couple of changes and thought we would swing over and take another peek at them. It always looks so desolate in the winter - but even having said that, it is indeed one of the better looking parks around the leagues. Great sight lines and an open look to the city make give it some real flair. Hey I worked out of old Cleveland Stadium... growing up with it, then working out of it, and then saying goodbye are all fond memories but this park has soemthing special (so much for unbiased reporting!).

Now I sit here typing this and watching a game on STO featuring the Indians and the Red Sox in a regular season broadcast from Progressive Park, and I can't wait to begin the season (Beckett vs. Carmona). After seeing the snow all over the field and standing on home plate today (or approximately where it is), and now watching the Indians take the lead in this game, I have to admit, I am ready to go!

We looked at sightlines, foul lines, and baselines - having to guess for all of them. There is a good sense about what we would like to do and how we will proceed, so that should not be an issue. I will have more on that as the season draws near - and explain in greater detail the objectives we would like to accomplish.

I started to think that maybe this is what opening day may look like in 2008...we know what it looked like in 2007! Somebody said "break out the zamboni". HMMMM....I will have to check the longe range forecast, the groundhog outlooks, the Farmer's Almanac, and also check to see if my left knee is throbbing (a sure-fire weather predictor).

Naw............ it couldnt happen again................. could it?