Nat Geo - "Inside Combat Rescue", a Shameless Plug

Apologies for the shameless plug, but I just finished working on this 6-part documentary series for National Geographic Channel, and I think it's pretty darn good television. The Air Force gave our crew some remarkable access to their elite Pararescue unit, the "PJ's", and didn't shy away when we pushed the envelope of showing some of the gray areas of modern military engagement in Afghanistan.

Premiering this Monday, February 18 at 10pm on the National Geographic Channel. Would love to hear what you think if you're able to check it out.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...

Looks badass, man. I'll look forward to checking it out.

What was your involvement in the production of it? Camera guy? Editor?

I'll watch for this when it shows on our NatGeo network. Looks awesome.

dhelor wrote:

What was your involvement in the production of it? Camera guy? Editor?

I was the editor on two of the episodes (including the one premiering Monday night).

It was a challenge because our camera guys weren't allowed to travel along on the missions. On the helicopters, weight is a big issue, and they never wanted to have to turn away an injured person because a camera guy was taking up 200 pounds. So they rigged the choppers with tons of unmanned GoPro cameras inside and out, and each airman had a helmet cam. So there was a TON of footage, but weren't sure at first we would be able to tell a compelling story with no human being behind the lens.

But surprisingly, it worked. The helmet cams are especially compelling, and for me a constant reminder of playing a military FPS. Only, this is, y'know... for real. It was a strange feeling to go home at night and play Far Cry 3 after looking through somebody's real battlefield POV all day long.

Awesome. DVR set to "Record".

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Awesome. DVR set to "Record".

Ditto!

Lester_King wrote:
Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Awesome. DVR set to "Record".

Ditto!

Me as well!

chaosmos wrote:
dhelor wrote:

What was your involvement in the production of it? Camera guy? Editor?

I was the editor on two of the episodes (including the one premiering Monday night).

It was a challenge because our camera guys weren't allowed to travel along on the missions. On the helicopters, weight is a big issue, and they never wanted to have to turn away an injured person because a camera guy was taking up 200 pounds. So they rigged the choppers with tons of unmanned GoPro cameras inside and out, and each airman had a helmet cam. So there was a TON of footage, but weren't sure at first we would be able to tell a compelling story with no human being behind the lens.

But surprisingly, it worked. The helmet cams are especially compelling, and for me a constant reminder of playing a military FPS. Only, this is, y'know... for real. It was a strange feeling to go home at night and play Far Cry 3 after looking through somebody's real battlefield POV all day long.

I didn't play shooters for a long time after I got back from Iraq.

Back on topic, I am really looking forward to this. I watch NatGeo and Food Network almost exclusively and Chopped doesn't quite fill the same void as dudes in the sh*t.

I was stuck in a hotel room in Vegas last week, sick as a dog, watching whatever passed for daytime hotel television. That was mostly NatGeo. They advertised the bejeesus out of this thing. I must have seen two dozen commercials about it in the course of a day and a half.

It worked though, I set it on the DVR as soon as I finally got home

This looks great!

On my 'to watch' now!

I'm in the middle of episode 1, and it's f*cking awesome.

This looks really cool. I don't get NatGeo channel here. Is there another way to watch this (Hulu, iTunes, etc)?

bennard wrote:

This looks really cool. I don't get NatGeo channel here. Is there another way to watch this (Hulu, iTunes, etc)?

I was wondering that too. I do have Nat Geo, but turns out I have to work super early tomorrow, so no dice. Of course I'm sure they'll show it again at some point, but eh... think I'd rather watch it online anyway if possible.

Bah, looks like our Comcast plan doesn't include Nat Geo. My cousin is an Air Force flight surgeon who put in a fair amount of time with a Pararescue unit in Afghanistan, so I kind of feel like watching this is a moral obligation for me. Will this turn up on iTunes/Amazon/etc for download or streaming?

edit: yeah, what Bennard said.

athros wrote:

I'm in the middle of episode 1, and it's f*cking awesome.

Thanks! I think the last 30 minutes is the best part, so keep watching...

I haven't heard yet where the shows will be available online, but I assume they will somewhere. I'll keep fishing around for that info.

chaosmos wrote:
athros wrote:

I'm in the middle of episode 1, and it's f*cking awesome.

Thanks! I think the last 30 minutes is the best part, so keep watching...

I haven't heard yet where the shows will be available online, but I assume they will somewhere. I'll keep fishing around for that info.

Yea, the last 30 minutes really tore at me, and the PJ's as well.

Great show, I'd highly recommend it.

Podunk wrote:

Bah, looks like our Comcast plan doesn't include Nat Geo. My cousin is an Air Force flight surgeon who put in a fair amount of time with a Pararescue unit in Afghanistan, so I kind of feel like watching this is a moral obligation for me. Will this turn up on iTunes/Amazon/etc for download or streaming?

edit: yeah, what Bennard said. :)

Yeah, NatGeo used to be the sole reason we had America 250 over the America 200. There are a couple more channels in the 250 now though.

Just finished the first episode. It's really great.

Absolutely amazing. Not sure what else to say. I am a huge fan of great documentaries and this one ranks up there with the best of them!

This is really cool, man.

Second episode also fantastic! So far, this is shaping up to be a great (mini)series!

Congratulations. I'll definitely try and watch.

I've always been impressed with editing as an art form. In my mind it is what makes the medium of film.

Watching now. Awesome!

Officially I can't approve of individuals who may or may not be posting high quality full episodes on Youtube... but I can see how it may be the only choice currently for those without cable TV...

...just sayin'.

p.s. - Glad you like it Kiri and Athros!

Thanks for watching!

We're all pumped because it got pretty solid ratings. Hopefully the good numbers will continue with positive word of mouth.

If you missed it, I can tell you the episode airing next Monday was originally slated to be the first, so it's actually an excellent jumping-on point. You get to see the guys deploy to Afghanistan and it explains the world really well.

So I *ahem* went to a friends house and watched the first 2 episodes on dvr, cable upgrade will be forthcoming.

This is the most intense, draining, and gripping television I've watched in...possibly ever. I need to get to bed soon, but I'm not going to wind down from this for quite a bit.

I've been telling people at work to check it out. If they don't listen to me I will tackle them to the ground and let them know they are wrong I actually enjoyed the first episode more than the 2nd. Not that 2nd was BAD at all, I've loved both of them. I think because the 2nd episode was originally meant as a ramp up to "Here's who we are, here's what we do" that it was ok that there was a little more story and a little less action in it.

Also ... LEEEEROOOOOOOOOOY JENKIIIINNNNNNNSSSS

Druidpeak wrote:

So I *ahem* went to a friends house and watched the first 2 episodes on dvr, cable upgrade will be forthcoming.

This is the most intense, draining, and gripping television I've watched in...possibly ever. I need to get to bed soon, but I'm not going to wind down from this for quite a bit.

OMG RIGHT?! Why do I care if the guy had a guy or girl? I don't, but I did. When the alarm rang I think I actually said outloud "Oh common!"

Very solid piece of work, I enjoyed the first installment very much.

I need to check this out.

Looks cool. I'll see if its on NatGeo over here.

As somebody who feeds content to production teams regularly, I know how much work goes into a piece like this, so Congrats on a big production!

EDIT: It is! Starts next Monday. Cool. Sky+'d.