High Stakes Pool

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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For those of you who want to see what a Pool Reality TV show might look like, we have a pilot of a show that was made early this year in Los Angeles. Our very own Cleary was the producer and editor and I was the executive producer on the project and did commentary. The show has a movie like quality to it, with the use of multiple cameras and different angles than you see on televised pool shows. Andrew did an excellent job editing over five hours of shooting to make this one hour and forty five minute pilot.

What is High Stakes Pool? It's a Ten Ball ring game for real money! In this episode (remember it's just a pilot), Morro Paez, Rafael Martinez and John Schmidt hook up to play a little $100 a man Ten Ball. I won't tell you who won, that would spoil it. But they did play all day, and the money was paid off after every game. If we can ever sell this show, the stakes will be raised to $500 a man and it will be four handed.

This is a unique piece on pool with a little different slant to it. Hopefully we can expand on it in the future. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, contact me at jayhelfert@yahoo.com.
 
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That is what pool needs imho. I think people want to see gambling just like with poker.

Hope you can pull it off.
 
jay helfert said:
For those of you who want to see what a Pool Reality TV show might look like, we have a pilot of a show that was made early this year in Los Angeles. Our very own Cleary was the producer and editor and I was the executive producer on the project and did commentary. The show has a movie like quality to it, with the use of multiple cameras and different angles than you see on televised pool shows. Andrew did an excellent job editing over five hours of shooting to make this one hour pilot.

What is High Stakes Pool? It's a Ten Ball ring game for real money! In this episode (remember it's just a pilot), Morro Paez, Rafael Martinez and John Schmidt hook up to play a little $100 a man Ten Ball. I won't tell you who won, that would spoil it. But they did play all day, and the money was paid off after every game. If we can ever sell this show, the stakes will be raised to $500 a man and it will be four handed.

This is a unique piece on pool with a little different slant to it. Hopefully we can expand on it in the future. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, contact me at jayhelfert@yahoo.com.
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Hey , sounds interesting . Did you ad any suspense with side bets on whether a shot could be made or a wager to make a harder bank than a clear easy shot ?

Please , no A.J. Benza .
 
Sounds great. I continually think of what we can do to reinvigerate the interest in this game and it still hasn't clicked. Unfortunatley I have to agree with Fatboy, that pool is losing out to the information age? I continue to give it thought. All the best Jay and Mahalo.
 
I just watched the whole thing for the first time. It plays like a one hour and forty five minute movie, with 90% of it being action. I didn't realize it was so long. Andrew did a nice job cutting from camera to camera. He's very talented man. We see not only the pool action, but the other players reactions as well. It all looks very candid, which it is. The players are both funny and serious at times. It's real money they are playing for after all. I think I'll rename this High Stakes Pool, the movie!

P.S. I was doing commentary with David Thomson, more well known for his PR and Advertising gigs for Accu-Stats and other industry companies. He's a Scotsman who has been living here for two decades now. We played/shot this at Hollywood Billiards, pre red cloth. They are playing $100 Ten Ball on 4" pockets!
 
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I was happy with the IPT in the beginning. It's unfortunate that Kevin couldn't make it work. With what you are describing and more $ I'm sure it would be a draw for attention. I believe the more we move into the information age and beyond I worry for the simple things that make us what we are. Mahalo Carl
 
jay helfert said:
Morro Paez, Rafael Martinez and John Schmidt hook up to play a little $100 a man Ten Ball.
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Jay, I'm surprised that Schmidt agreed to play in the middle of those two.;) Was there a stipulation that Morro and Rafael could NOT speak Spanish? I've seen Morro and some others talk strategy to each other in Spanish, with the Anglo unable to understand that he was getting ganged up on.:D

Doc
 
gulfportdoc said:
Jay, I'm surprised that Schmidt agreed to play in the middle of those two.;) Was there a stipulation that Morro and Rafael could NOT speak Spanish? I've seen Morro and some others talk strategy to each other in Spanish, with the Anglo unable to understand that he was getting ganged up on.:D

Doc
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Every five games we changed the order. John, Rafael and Morro are definitely the stars of this movie. Interesting and yet very different personalities. There was quite a bit of interaction between the players, a lot of joking around, and a few small clashes. All and all a good day of hard fought pool.

My only complaint later is that the "mic" above the table picked up the very loud sound of the ball return on every shot. Oh well, nothing's perfect. I also felt like I talked too soft because I didn't want the players to hear me. Dave and I were sitting only a few feet from the table. I am happy with the overall result though. What we will add in the final version is some off the table stuff, interviews and background material. I think a one hour show of high level pool for money would work on television. It will take the right network and a few sponsors. I paid the tab on this shoot!

It was relatively low budget, but still there was a lot of expensive equipment to rent, and a seven man crew to pay. Not a cheap date! We shot the whole thing in one day. Andrew (cleary) did all the editing back home in New York. That was a lot more time consuming. Thanks Big Tony! You're a man of many talents, and an asset to the pool community. :thumbup:

P.S. John is no dummy. He understood everything! His personality and his game shines here. Remember, these guys are playing on Ernesto-tight 4" pockets!
 
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this ounds very cool!

I always thought it would be fun to follow a road dog and a camera man sideckick into a town and have a hidden camera on them while they try to make some money. Show the vehicle they are traveling in, the motels, making a plan, barking, the whole thing.....THAT would become viral IMO.

G.
 
Jay, sounds interesting, I wouldn't mind taking a looksee.

*edit-oops...email sent

Eric
 
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It sounds like the only thing you need to adjust is the cheese. Everyone will most likely equate the show with it's Poker counterpart, so huge stacks of cash should be flashed liberally.
 
jay helfert said:
Every five games we changed the order. John, Rafael and Morro are definitely the stars of this movie. Interesting and yet very different personalities. There was quite a bit of interaction between the players, a lot of joking around, and a few small clashes. All and all a good day of hard fought pool.

My only complaint later is that the "mic" above the table picked up the very loud sound of the ball return on every shot. Oh well, nothing's perfect. I also felt like I talked too soft because I didn't want the players to hear me. Dave and I were sitting only a few feet from the table. I am happy with the overall result though. What we will add in the final version is some off the table stuff, interviews and background material. I think a one hour show of high level pool for money would work on television. It will take the right network and a few sponsors. I paid the tab on this shoot!

It was relatively low budget, but still there was a lot of expensive equipment to rent, and a seven man crew to pay. Not a cheap date! We shot the whole thing in one day. Andrew (cleary) did all the editing back home in New York. That was a lot more time consuming. Thanks Big Tony! You're a man of many talents, and an asset to the pool community. :thumbup:

P.S. John is no dummy. He understood everything! His personality and his game shines here. Remember, these guys are playing on Ernesto-tight 4" pockets!
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Well, it sounds as though you have something there, Jay. People don't seem to follow pool tournaments, so perhaps they'd like to watch some live gambling and banter a la "High Stakes Poker", or "Poker After Dark". Too bad we don't have as many characters playing today as we did 30 years ago. Guys like McCready, Ronnie Allen, and Mataya would be popular with an audience.

Another thing that would be appealing is that the players try to make a ball every time they shoot. No safeties. Novices don't care to watch safety play.

I'm not sure if 4" pockets would be he best way to go. People want to see balls run, and the tight pocket distinction would be lost on them.

Hopefully the networks who produce the above two poker shows might give pool gambling a chance...

Doc
 
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