Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos (CapeCast) with Don Lewis
Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos, the energetic team behind the success of the Cape Cod Times CapeCast feature, visited the western shore of Lieutenant Island on Wednesday, March 25th, to investigate the mystery of the “Pilot Whale Graveyard.” Their smooth and professional broadcast is presented in the Turtle Journal posting above or can be viewed in high quality YouTube by clicking on “Pilot Whale Graveyard.”
Jason and Eric Plan Shoot with Don (Center)
But smart people know that a “smooth and professional” shoot takes detailed planning, tons of technical skill and a heckuva lot of plain hard work to make the untidy complexity of scientific exploration in the messy setting of uncontrolled field conditions appear seamless, fun and easy. That’s the hallmark of true professionals like Eric and Jason.
Getting Perfect Angle and Best Sunlight and Shading
Every shot needs to be thought through to present the best, most informative image to the viewer. Brilliant sunshine and long shadows can be your friend or your foe, depending on your preparedness. Like chess, you need to be thinking five and six moves out rather than photographing a “come as you are party.”
Nature Cooperates with Near Perfect Photographic Conditions
Lighting conditions on Wednesday could not have been more beautiful. We reached the site a little after two thirty and had excavated the skull after an hour’s heavy lifting. So, by the time we reached the money shot, long afternoon shadows were pouring in from the bay, creating dramatic images to spotlight the moment.
Jason Kolnos Records Background Audio for Video Voice Over
The most challenging technical aspect of the shoot was audio. Wind whistled down the beach and deafened sounds more than a foot or two from the microphone. Jason recognized the problem from the outset and recorded audio to voice over the action shots. That’s just one example of professional planning that transformed the final product into a smooth, seamless, high quality broadcast.
Click Here to View Video in High Quality
Behind the Scenes Glimpse of CapeCast Report
Watching the raw footage filmed by Turtle Journal cameras from behind the scenes gives you an even more palpable sense of the professional magic brought to the shoot by the CapeCast team. Kudos to Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos of the Cape Cod Times.