The Hustlers: Production questions

iusedtoberich

iusedtoberich

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been enjoying watching the Hustlers. I wanted to ask for those that were part of the show, how did they record the balls and the shots so well? What was the lighting setup? Can you share any behind the scenes shots of the camera and lighting equipment?

I was so impressed with the quality.

Thanks.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I've been enjoying watching the Hustlers. I wanted to ask for those that were part of the show, how did they record the balls and the shots so well? What was the lighting setup? Can you share any behind the scenes shots of the camera and lighting equipment?

I was so impressed with the quality.

Thanks.
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I'm not there but it looks like unless they have half a dozen cameras there filming at the same time they re-shoot the shots and film them from different angles then edit. I have yet to see a cameraman get caught in the frame.
 
macguy said:
I'm not there but it looks like unless they have half a dozen cameras there filming at the same time they re-shoot the shots and film them from different angles then edit. I have yet to see a cameraman get caught in the frame.
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That is correct and of corse thier not using a camera phone ,, personaly I'd rather they do less of it

1
 
They have multiple cameras during the match, then have certain shots redone if they need another camera angle later.

They swap camera angles a lot because Americans get bored easily - and swapping camera angles makes it more visually appealing at a visceral level. Standard American TV editing.
 
I was at Steinway when they recorded part of Episode 7, where Greg and Gary went face to face.

They had maybe a dozen people. I counted at least 3 cameras, and one mounted on a jib crane. As for the lighting, almost every ceiling tile on the main floor had a light clamped through it. Soft boxes on c-stands.

The shooting was continuous, meaning the director just kept the cameras rolling and let the players do their thing. Afterwards, on a different table they would set up and re-shoot some shots. That could be where some of the gaffs come in. Have Finnegan shoot a shot, say with Centennials, catalog it as stock footage, and months the editing digs it up (not properly tagged) staff inserts it in to represent Emily or Jennifer shooting with Aramith TV Pros.

iusedtoberich said:
I've been enjoying watching the Hustlers. I wanted to ask for those that were part of the show, how did they record the balls and the shots so well? What was the lighting setup? Can you share any behind the scenes shots of the camera and lighting equipment?

I was so impressed with the quality.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
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I believe they were using the Sony FS7 with amazing film lenses. Steinway has very small lights on the ceiling throughout the building. Being in the room, it didn't feel a ton brighter but it helped the area around the table a lot.

Because the cameras handle light so well, you can tell the ISO is very high, which is why you can see under the table in the shadows so well, but with a lot of noise.
 
Steinway repainted the room. On the screen, the red really pops out. It's not normally that bright, as seen from this.

cleary said:
I believe they were using the Sony FS7 with amazing film lenses. Steinway has very small lights on the ceiling throughout the building. Being in the room, it didn't feel a ton brighter but it helped the area around the table a lot.

Because the cameras handle light so well, you can tell the ISO is very high, which is why you can see under the table in the shadows so well, but with a lot of noise.
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ctyhntr said:
Steinway repainted the room. On the screen, the red really pops out. It's not normally that bright, as seen from this.
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I believe his question is more of a technical one, if I'm not mistaken. Filming pool isn't that easy. The lights over the table generate a ton of light while the light between the tables is rather dim. Without lighting the room, it's tough to find a balance. If you notice in your picture, the cloth and balls are over exposed. It's not an easy task.
 
skateboardkid said:
They have multiple cameras during the match, then have certain shots redone if they need another camera angle later.

They swap camera angles a lot because Americans get bored easily - and swapping camera angles makes it more visually appealing at a visceral level. Standard American TV editing.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Azb. Thanks for coming on here to answer some questions about the show. I really like the show so hearing some behind the scenes info is really cool!
Pease don't let the small posse of pen heads here discourage you. The vast majority of the folks here are cool:grin:
 
Dead Money said:
Welcome to the Azb. Thanks for coming on here to answer some questions about the show. I really like the show so hearing some behind the scenes info is really cool!
Pease don't let the small posse of pen heads here discourage you. The vast majority of the folks here are cool:grin:
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I read the forums from time to time - Just rarely post. I'm not easily rattled - they'll have a tough time getting any outbursts from me :)
 
The brackets lists him as Jonathan Russell. He was playing my friend Bobby, aka BMW. BMW gave him 2 games on 7 and lost. There was another kid, Lucas who was waay better than Jonathan.

nine o nine said:
Who is the youngster at table 2? I saw him all over the place during the last Ginky memorial stream. Mitch
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I was never good at taking pictures.

cleary said:
I believe his question is more of a technical one, if I'm not mistaken. Filming pool isn't that easy. The lights over the table generate a ton of light while the light between the tables is rather dim. Without lighting the room, it's tough to find a balance. If you notice in your picture, the cloth and balls are over exposed. It's not an easy task.
Click to expand...
 
Yes my questions were technical. I'm a complete rank camera beginner, but I do know from personal experience filming pool is freaking HARD. And that is on my home table. I can only imagine in a real pool hall.
 
ctyhntr said:
I was at Steinway when they recorded part of Episode 7, where Greg and Gary went face to face.

They had maybe a dozen people. I counted at least 3 cameras, and one mounted on a jib crane. As for the lighting, almost every ceiling tile on the main floor had a light clamped through it. Soft boxes on c-stands.

The shooting was continuous, meaning the director just kept the cameras rolling and let the players do their thing. Afterwards, on a different table they would set up and re-shoot some shots. That could be where some of the gaffs come in. Have Finnegan shoot a shot, say with Centennials, catalog it as stock footage, and months the editing digs it up (not properly tagged) staff inserts it in to represent Emily or Jennifer shooting with Aramith TV Pros.
Click to expand...

Thats what I figured. One of the giveaways is on the break. You see the break and then close ups of balls going in. Since no one knows what is going in it is impossible to follow the correct ball and have the perfect visual angle to see it go in so nicely.

One rack the cue ball scratches on the break you can see it going in. Then there is a close up of the scratching cueball. They repeated the shots later maybe just throwing the ball in by hand who knows. They show them at all different speeds. Regardless they are great effects and add to the visual.
 
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