Go To Team's 5000th Shoot Party at NASCAR

In celebration of our 5000th shoot day almost everyone at Go To Team hit the road for Charlotte, NC and the Nascar offices for a day of good food and great company. We hired a catering company, Food for the Southern Soul out of Charleston to bring a little of the lowcountry to the folks at Nascar Media Group. The caterers did it right with a Lowcountry Boil and Banana Pudding! While everyone was excited about the food, I think the best part was getting the chance to visit our friends at the Nascar Studio and finally being able to put a face with the voices that I talk to on the phone, and the stories I've heard from life on the road.

And of course, meeting all of the rest of the wonderful people who work there that I wouldn't have gotten the chance to interact with otherwise. While we missed the few Go To Team Staff (Skip, Rene & Dave were shooting for ESPN) who were actually working that day (somone had to pay the bill), it was a great occasion and I can't wait for the 10,000th Shoot!

5000 Shoot Days… That’s a lot of ‘Cool TV’

It seemed like an average day at the track working for one of our best clients, NASCAR… when we were notified that it was the 5000^th shoot day in Go To Team’s history. That’s right in the last ten years Go To Team has shot over 5000 shoots. That’s a lot of interviews, b-roll, live shots and hard work!

I was in Mannsfield Ohio, continuing our HD coverage of the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series for Speed Channel, when Patrick called me to let me know I was on the 5000th shoot that Go To Team had ever shot.

It was a novel thing to hear, but I was busy trying to give Mike and Keith the best footage I could, so the real signifigance of that number didn't really sink in until after I returned to Charlotte. That is a LOT of cool TV from one company.

In an average month we shoot 60 or 70 shoot days between our crews in Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Richmond. And, I always do my best to keep up with my Go To Team brethren… it was just an honor that the 5000^th landed on my day.

Well, off to the next adventure...I think 10,000 has a nice ring to it, see you in the Field!

Dave Baker Shooting show "Ricky Carmichael: Next"

Go To Team's Charlotte, North Carolina Cameraman, Dave Baker recently got a new angle on Ricky Carmichael's career plans. Check out some of Dave's shots in these selects from the Speed Channel's "Ricky Charmichael: Next".

Editing Skip Clark's High-Definition DP Reel

When GoTo Team's Skip Clark asked that I revise his high-definition demo reel my first thought was “looks”. Whether it’s the saturated colors of the logo plastered stock cars or the sepia toned rustic pool hall interview, Skip always accentuates his subjects with a look. That said I wanted his reel to reflect this strength in his shooting and lighting.

The second thought I had was “moves”. As I scrolled through Skip’s footage I couldn’t help but notice range of shots he captures. From wide establishing shots to tracking dollies and close ups, Skip’s camera moves give his subjects focus and energy. An interview that could be shot with one camera on a tripod is transformed into a dynamic high-definition multi-camera shoot using 7-head ARRI lighting kits, a Microdolly and HD lenses. His shooting and lighting lends insight into his subject’s thoughts through close-ups and gives the viewer an on-set feel through dolly shots that capture the entire set. Skip is deliberate in every move he makes and in doing so he tells his story in a personal and engaging manner that makes the camera his voice.

Editing Skip’s reel was truly a pleasure given his range of high-definition footage and his remarkable lighting ability. As an editor, having so many strong shots to choose from is a blessing in disguise. Enough chat... watch the reel and feel free to comment. To learn more about Skip, check out his resume page on the GoTo Team's website.

Ooohhh.... Aaaaahhhhhh.....

Go To Team camera crew Skip Clark and Rene Cusson made their way to Daytona Beach, Florida this holiday weekend. Amidst the July 4th fireworks above the crowded beach were even more bangs and booms lighting up the Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR held it's Coke Zero 400, covered live by TNT, and made to look good in part by the creative duo from Go To. The weekend included features such as Walley Dallenbach performing some water skiing stunts with boat driver Kyle Petty, and an interview with crew chief Roy McCauley about his wife's battle with cancer just before his Daytona 500 victory last February. From the intense to the somber, the crew was ready. The Coke Zero 400 was won by Kyle Busch, and during the point leader's 6th Victory Lane celebration this year, a familiar voice could be heard in the sea of media chatter: Skip Clark, with a smirk on his face, said above the bangs of the fireworks and clicks of the shutters "Not a drop of champagne got on me this time!"

New High Definition Reel for Go To Team Charleston DP

In addition to being an outstanding Director of Photography, Go To Team's Tom Wells has an eye for editing. Tom had already created a timeline with a rough cut and just wanted to add a couple of shots and some titles. As an editor for Go To Team I was thrilled to work with him on his latest demo reel. Tom knew the type of shots he wanted to showcase. He wanted to focus strictly on his high-definition work and he wanted to use shots that emphasized his artistic eye and production capability.

We used a combination of Varicam and F-900 HD footage. As Tom selected the shots for his reel, he emphasized production. When on location he packs a 7 head ARRI kit, a Microdolly and an array of high-definition lenses and even an HD Pencil Cam to name just a few of his toys. We wanted to take this opportunity to show off some of Tom's high-definition capability.

Tom's lighting is just one of his strengths that we incorporated into his reel. His production capability separates him from a typical ENG shooter. "I can set up the Microdolly and Jib in less than five minutes and break it down in under three." he told me. Just to demonstrate that, we edited a time lapse of Tom setting up his jib and incorporated it into his reel.

To see more of Go To Team's Charleston Director of Photography, Tom Wells' work, see his resume page.