March 17, 2011, 4:54 AM |
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Did we get the job done? Chuck says “Yes!”
Reactions are pouring in fast and we’re getting a great response. Thanks to everyone for watching and keep it up, next week gets pretty crazy.
Kind of a challenge pulling off a blind hoist, and that was not the only time you will see one this season. Don’t expect it to go quite as smoothly next time however.
I’m hearing a lot about the argument at the end. The guys have a stressful job, so tempers can flare on occasion but Greg makes sure nothing ever goes too far. However, if you thought the argument ended when we stopped filming, you would be VERY wrong. Keith and Joe were still going at it at the premiere party last night, although it’s all smiles now. Basically, the show proved that Keith did indeed give Joe a push and almost knocked his hat off. By Keith’s own words he now owes Joe his dog and all of his Motorhead records. Joe is passing on the dog but he would like to collect on the Motorhead vinyl. As I’m writing this, Keith’s last comment was, “over my dead body.”
I’ll be checking in often as the season rolls out week after week so feel free to drop any questions in the comments section and I’ll make sure you get an answer. Don’t forget to click over to Facebook and Twitter too for even more photos, comments, stories and behind-the-scenes video of the Deathwish Movers.
Now next week, we move a great dane that’s in need of immediate help, plus we meet a young lady that values her couch enough to threaten the guy’s lives. Hey, moving IS stressful!
-Stout, Executive Producer
Posted By: admin
March 11, 2011, 4:55 PM |
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Just a few more days before Deathwish Movers premieres so I wanted to take a few moments to talk about the crew behind the crew. Capturing Greg and the guys in all their death-defying glory takes a production crew that is just as fearless.
However, I don’t just mean the giant heavy objects and the dizzying heights. For instance, in our very first episode, a “disagreement” between two of our favorite movers rolls out into the street. Our crew, including director Jason Beauregard, never miss a second running right out into the streets of Malden with nothing but t-shirts on. That may not sound too fearless, but it was about 18 degrees out that night, and I was very glad to get the shot. Check out the episode and you will see why.
One of my favorite aspects of shooting with the Deathwish Movers is that there is a communal appreciation of each others ‘toys.’ By that I mean, we are looking at all their equipment, and of course the cranes, and we are saying ‘Wow, that looks like fun!’ At the same time, Greg and the guys are looking at our cameras and our little cameras that we attach to the crane, etc. and they are just as wide-eyed as we are. There’s this appreciation of ‘boys with toys’ all around! (However, don’t let my terminology fool you, field producer Gigi Nicolas, show-runner Stacy Falcone, and Line Producer Abby Hoyt are hardly boys, but they’re having as much fun as anyone)
So what’s the ultimate perk for us? Working the crane of course! Master crane operator and all-around superman Chuck recently gave me a lesson in how to tame Ichabod. (Ichabod is the name of one of the more frequently used Deathwish cranes) Here’s a shot our E.I.C. Seth Eisman got of me while Chuck was giving me some lessons. One of the most important steps is putting down the stabilizers. These giant steel legs drop down to keep the crane from flipping over as it lifts. There are a couple on each side as well as a front and back stabilizer. Once those are set you’re ready to extend the arm and do some craning. YES! It is indeed as fun as it looks, like working the biggest Tonka truck you ever saw!!! The most interesting part is the controls. Every control does something different and masters like Chuck and Robbie do it all without even looking. Not only that, they have to move several of them at the same time, with an intense level of subtlety. After all, Robbie and Chuck generally have to work within inches, all while threading the crane itself and often the objects between and around trees, electrical wires, phone lines, etc.
You really have to see it to appreciate it! Don’t miss the premiere on March 16th at 10pm, and watch for my ‘part two’ post about the crew soon with some behind-the-scenes photos and videos of some of their bravest moments. Also, don’t forget to check out the Deathwish movers Facebook page, we’re adding new photos and comments daily. Thanks all!
p.s. Always remember, lift with your legs!
Posted By: admin
February 25, 2011, 5:25 PM |
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Wow, I wish everyone could hear the excitement in all the guys’ voices as we close in on the premiere of Death Wish Movers. It was almost two years ago I first went out on a few jobs with these guys, and realized what amazing lives they lead, and what a crazy old city to try and drive cranes around in! On any given day these guys run to the rescue of clients left hanging by lesser movers, or to the aid of people with a move that simply seems impossible. Whether it’s a 1200lb. ice sculpture, an ancient piano, or even a Great Dane, Greg and his team always “Get the jawb done,” one way or another, and they are already having customers call and say, “Oh, and can I be on your TV show too?”
I was just in Boston last week, got to spend some quality time with Chuck as we did some voice-overs in a local audio studio. There’s nothing more fun for me than doing this type of work with the guys, because they just look at me like I’m insane. “First time in 47 years anyone ever asked to record MY voice,” was the first thing Chuck told me as he entered the recording booth. He also noticed a beautifully restored Wurlitzer juke box in the corner of the studio. “I’ve moved a few of those in my day.” I don’t doubt it.
As we began the session Chuck was a pro as always, but I had to remind him not to try too hard.
“No Chuck, don’t read the copy… say it the way you would say it in normal conversation.”
“I did,” Chuck tells me.
“No you said mover, you always say mo-vah… no R’s”
“You got it brotha!” said Chuck, and he then banged out 5 perfect takes in a row.
After that I made Chuck say “get the jawb done” until his tongue bled, but we celebrated by watching the rough cut of the open. Chuck was so excited, “Oh, I can’t wait for the other guys to see this,” and as I am writing this they still have not seen it. You have to remember, none of these guys have ever appeared on TV, and they still don’t quite believe this is all happening.
As I’m typing this up the production team is gearing up for more shooting. We all ‘ship up to Boston’ together; leaving our offices in NYC and meeting up with the local production folks we work with in Boston. I wish I could tell you what the guys are going to be moving next, but all I can say is that these objects are huge… stone… and probably really embarrassing. Make sense? Probably not, but I am quite sure that is going to be a ‘must-see’ episode.
Don’t forget to catch the “premeeah” on Wednesday, March 16th at 10pm, and be sure to make yourself a nice roast beef sub beforehand, so you won’t have to get up and miss anything. As a native of Hartford that went to school in NY, I spent years weaning myself off the term ‘wicked,’ but I now say with all seriousness, you don’t want to miss this first episode because it truly is ‘wicked awesome.’
By: Stout, Executive Producer
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