Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs at DVinfo.net

Jim Martin · April 4th, 2011, 10:27 AM

FYI, the new reality show COAL on SpikeTV (Weds 9pm) was shot with the XF 300s & 305s. I know the production was very happy with the cameras and how well they held up in a rough environment.

Jim Martin
FilmTools.com

Jeff Anselmo · April 4th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Hi Jim,

Do you happen to know if they shoot exclusively with the XF cams?

And maybe why they chose the XFs over other cams? (Coal mining is certainly a "rough environment" :)

Thanks,

Jim Martin · April 4th, 2011, 06:39 PM

These producers have about 30+ shows on the air and the production side has wanted to get off of tape and go to cards for a while but post has had a certain way they handle things and wanted to stay with tape. Once we and production showed them what time and money could be saved, the post supervisor gave the OK.....
As for the cameras, production liked the 300/305s as soon as they came out and liked it even more when the 100/105s came to light (B camera, low light, IR, night vision) for the codec and lower cost CF cards. For this show, they used the 300/305s for there main cameras but I'm sure the used some 5D/7Ds and GoPros for some c camera stuff.

Jim Martin
FilmTools.com

Jeff Anselmo · April 7th, 2011, 12:28 PM

Thanks Jim!

Caught a bit of the show last night, and it looked like they shot at 60i; probably to give the show a more "gritty and real" look. From what I saw, it looked pretty good (though I did notice a some out of focus shots here and there :)

Best,

Daniel Gustafsson · April 8th, 2011, 03:41 AM

Here you can watch some of it online: Coal Episode 3 Preview - Act 1 Of Down 'N Out | Free Video Clips | SPIKE

Seems like a very harsh environment to be shooting in!

Tim Polster · April 8th, 2011, 08:18 AM

Thanks for the heads up. This is one of the best ways to evaluate a camera's true performance. If it still looks great after all of the processing it is a winner.

I watched the first episode but did not focus too much on the image quality. The content is pretty engaging. I will take notice on the next episode.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · April 8th, 2011, 11:38 AM

Wow! - what a series.
Being Welsh, I've been brought up with coal mining - and it's not easy, wherever it takes place.
I really could engage with the guys
It's so well made, the team are to be congratulated.
The fact that the series was shot on the Canon XF305 is an added bonus...

Glen Vandermolen · April 10th, 2011, 09:35 PM

Cool news!

It's nice to see the XF cams in broadcast use.

April 4th, 2011, 10:27 AM	#1
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs FYI, the new reality show COAL on SpikeTV (Weds 9pm) was shot with the XF 300s & 305s. I know the production was very happy with the cameras and how well they held up in a rough environment. Jim Martin FilmTools.com

April 4th, 2011, 12:40 PM	#2
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Hi Jim, Do you happen to know if they shoot exclusively with the XF cams? And maybe why they chose the XFs over other cams? (Coal mining is certainly a "rough environment" :) Thanks, __________________ --JA

April 4th, 2011, 06:39 PM	#3
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs These producers have about 30+ shows on the air and the production side has wanted to get off of tape and go to cards for a while but post has had a certain way they handle things and wanted to stay with tape. Once we and production showed them what time and money could be saved, the post supervisor gave the OK..... As for the cameras, production liked the 300/305s as soon as they came out and liked it even more when the 100/105s came to light (B camera, low light, IR, night vision) for the codec and lower cost CF cards. For this show, they used the 300/305s for there main cameras but I'm sure the used some 5D/7Ds and GoPros for some c camera stuff. Jim Martin FilmTools.com

April 7th, 2011, 12:28 PM	#4
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Thanks Jim! Caught a bit of the show last night, and it looked like they shot at 60i; probably to give the show a more "gritty and real" look. From what I saw, it looked pretty good (though I did notice a some out of focus shots here and there :) Best, __________________ --JA

April 8th, 2011, 03:41 AM	#5
Daniel Gustafsson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 5	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Here you can watch some of it online: Coal Episode 3 Preview - Act 1 Of Down 'N Out \| Free Video Clips \| SPIKE Seems like a very harsh environment to be shooting in!

April 8th, 2011, 08:18 AM	#6
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Thanks for the heads up. This is one of the best ways to evaluate a camera's true performance. If it still looks great after all of the processing it is a winner. I watched the first episode but did not focus too much on the image quality. The content is pretty engaging. I will take notice on the next episode.

April 8th, 2011, 11:38 AM	#7
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Wow! - what a series. Being Welsh, I've been brought up with coal mining - and it's not easy, wherever it takes place. I really could engage with the guys It's so well made, the team are to be congratulated. The fact that the series was shot on the Canon XF305 is an added bonus... __________________ TV Director / Cameraman

April 10th, 2011, 09:35 PM	#8
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: Spike's new show COAL shot on the XFs Cool news! It's nice to see the XF cams in broadcast use.