Camera Corps Adds New Dimension To Gladiators

Camera Corps Point-of-View video helmets added a new dimension to the latest revival of the 1990s ITV hit 'Gladiators', when it appeared on Sky One in May.
Two miniature cameras with integral cameras were provided, each mounted in a boxer’s helmet and linked to a Mini-DV recorder in a protective backpack. A and B stages at Shepperton Studios were used for the latest Gladiators production, within 100 metres of the Camera Corps headquarters.
Camera Corps' Operations Director Matt Frost said: "Our client in this project was Shine who produced this new series. The requirement was to capture the actual images seen by contestants as they battled their way through one of the toughest gymnastic environments ever assembled for a television show. We used a camera configuration, which we had originally developed for firemen. Being solid-state, the cameras are extremely robust. We opted for Sony Mini-DV recorders on the basis that their very low-inertia scanners would tolerate robust movement; they exceeded all expectations and even provided the battery power to drive the cameras."
Shine Producer Nick Badham added: "The original plan was to use the helmet cameras to capture supplementary video for podcasting on the Gladiators website at: www.gladiatorzone.co.uk. The quality and dynamism of the images proved so good that we included many clips into the broadcast programmes."
Shine was founded by Elisabeth Murdoch in early 2001 and, after rapid organic growth, is now in the top ranks of UK production companies supplying television content to BBC, ITV, C4, five and Sky. Its key brands include 'Sugar Rush', 'Masterchef', 'Sex... With Mum & Dad', 'The Clothes Show', 'Project Catwalk' and 'The Story of Light Entertainment'.
Camera Corps has long experience in providing high-volume support services to major sports events including the Commonwealth Games, Summer and Winter Olympics and World Cup Football. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics alone, Camera Corps will be fielding and managing over 250 high definition camera systems, 18 motorised tracking systems, plus remote heads and large camera cranes, on behalf of the host broadcaster. Camera Corps has achieved a pre-eminent reputation for its ability to acquire exciting and unusual television content from exceptionally challenging environments. Its ever-growing arsenal includes high-level cranes, motorised tracking cameras, underwater cameras, bullseye-mounted archery target cameras and fireproofed high temperature cameras. The Camera Corps team expands during large-scale events from eight full-time staff based at Shepperton Studios to as many as 200 specialists, including highly-skilled rock climbers able to establish camera positions in almost any location.
(KMcA/NS)