The Armory chooses RED Digital Cinema Cameras for ’11 TORC Series TV
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011
The Armory selects Jim Jannard’s (Oakley) RED Cameras coupled with TORC series sponsor GoPro HD cameras, to film industry leading programming on Discovery HD
INDIANAPOLIS (May 23, 2011) – The digital documentation of the Traxxas TORC Series, presented by AMSOIL, is second-to-none in the industry. The innovative film team out of Dana Point, Calif., dubbed “The Armory” has taken the action of off-road short course racing to an entirely new level on Discovery HD Theater channel’s critically acclaimed “TORC - The Off-Road Championship” TV Show.”
And they’re back for 2011.
Using revolutionary RED Digital Cinema Cameras (developed by Oakley founder Jim Jannard), along with TORC Series sponsor GoPro’s HD Motorsports’ HERO cameras, The Armory’s avant garde filming methods have captured the spirit of TORC and professional short course racing like no one else. Delivering an insider’s look at the speed and danger associated with TORC racing, Discovery HD Theater’s program has won legions of fans for the TORC Series – along with impressing even the most diehard industry types.
The Armory chose to roll the RED Digital Cinema Cameras at 120 frames per second (vs. 30 frames per second with regular cameras) and as a result create images that have never been seen before in off-road racing – and motorsports in general for that matter.
“When TORC PRO trucks are jumping 200 feet, side by side at more than 100 miles per hour, you have to be shooting on filming equipment that captures the emotion of that moment. And for us RED was the answer,” said executive producer, BJ Birtwell of The Armory.
That said, TORC - The Off-Road Championship TV Show was the largest (in volume) motorsports program ever filmed on RED equipment.
In addition to the fleet of RED cameras The Armory fields a litany of cool vessels to assist the army of cameramen that descend upon each TORC event. Remote control helicopters, drones and – crazy enough – Traxxas remote control trucks running on the TORC track during the race are all equipped with the latest in HD GoPro HERO cameras to capture the most outlandish race footage one could imagine.
“We felt like we were on the leading edge of remote control aerial and ground filming before it became as popular as it is today,” added Birtwell. “We will continue to use these assets as they provide incredible perspective, however we also have a few other tricks up our sleeve for Season Two of TORC – The Off-Road Championship.”
Views from the ground, running underneath the 8,000 pound, 900 horsepower TORC PRO 4 trucks are coupled with aerial shots filmed from 100 feet to just several feet -above the trucks as they pin it off massive jumps… makes for some truly breathtaking visuals.
And as the drama builds to a crescendo in each Discovery HD Theater show with the smash mouth racing, The Armory’s team showcases the drivers and what goes on behind-the-scenes in the pro pits in an effort to create a more ‘complete’ program, rather than just documenting an hour of flag-to-flag racing coverage.
“The Off Road Championship is purposed to be more of a show rather than simply a race broadcast.“ explained Birtwell. “There’s a great deal of conflict between the drivers – that carries over from what you see on the track, into the pit area and other places where cameras normally aren’t allowed. TORC officials have given us the green light to pursue everything that goes on at the races, so we intend to dive deep into the emotion that speed, ego, and adrenaline brings in an effort to humanize these athletes in a way that makes them more relatable to the general audience.
“Feuds, rivalries, celebrations – off-track antics … Season Two of TORC - The Off-Road Championship will truly be a season that separates TORC from other traditional forms of race coverage. The Armory’s pumped to be on board for Season Two.”
About TORC
The Traxxas TORC Series, presented by AMSOIL, is the fastest, most punishing short course racing series on the planet! TORC events are packed with flag-to-flag fender banging as drivers push the limits over whoops and jump-filled natural terrain race tracks. Off-road racing fans come from far and wide to experience the most challenging form of high-octane competition. And once they taste TORC for the first time they’re hooked for life!
About The Armory
The Armory is a new brand of advertising agency with in-house production capabilities, specializing in the execution of digital, social, experiential and production initiatives. For more information or business inquiries, please email info@armorymarketing.com