New Series for the Travel Channel "Triple Rush" Sets Out to Revolutionize the Look of Reality TV
Creators Teach Crash Course in Camera Work to Bike Messengers
in New Series Exploring the Misunderstood Subculture of New York City Couriers
(LOS ANGELES, CA) - Directing and producing partners Scott Papera and Karl Kimbrough are reinventing the look of reality television in the Travel Channel's new bike messenger series Triple Rush. With cast members being instructed on the workings of the various HD cameras and up to 20 cameras required on certain days to document the action, the fast-paced docu-series showcases the chaotic, dangerous and misunderstood world of bike messengers. Triple Rush premieres Thursday, April 14 at 10 p.m. e/p on the Travel Channel.
Triple Rush will introduce viewers to an action-packed view of New York City never seen before - offering passionate, first-person accounts from the men and women of three very different courier companies - a corporate giant, a family-run business, and a four person co-op. The new series follows the couriers who fight bad weather, ingest toxic exhaust fumes, face mindless pedestrians darting into the street, and battle careless drivers on a daily basis - all in a quest to get the package delivered while earning a few dollars to feed their fast and carefree lifestyles.
In order to accurately portray the real life struggles of these adrenaline junkies, Triple Rush creators and co-executive producers, Papera and Kimbrough, had a number of production obstacles to overcome during the six weeks of shooting.
"It was quite a logistical challenge to chase the messengers through the streets of Manhattan," said Papera. "We wanted to bring a unique visual style to the show and capture the true experience of the messengers, but we didn't want to shoot their backs all day. One thing that worked was to have the riders themselves do some of the filming."
Bike messengers were then trained to become camera operators while professional cameramen were trained to ride bikes one-handed with a camera in gridlocked New York City traffic. The outcome is a look and feel to Triple Rush unlike anything currently seen on television.
"Reality television has become more and more about manufactured stakes, big payouts, and even soft scripts...so we did the opposite," commented Kimbrough. "Our show has great stories, genuine characters, and real life struggles. The result is a series that feels authentic and natural."
With an eight episode order for the first season, each week focuses on several storylines and follows an ensemble cast of colorful and iconic couriers.
Triple Rush is produced by 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA for the Travel Channel and is executive produced by JD Roth and Todd Nelson.
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Karl Kimbrough and Scott Papera are partners in Alter Ego Films - a commercial production company located in Los Angeles, Ca. With over 35 years of combined television and commercial experience, the creative duo has produced and directed campaigns for Wal-Mart, Home Depot, McDonalds, Blockbuster, Comedy Central, PeoplePC, Memorex, Honeywell, Nutrilite, BenQ and the United Way among many others. http://www.alteregofilms.com
ABOUT TRAVEL CHANNEL
Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and the network is available in nearly 96 million US cable homes. Its Travel Channel HD� simulcast is distributed to almost 37 million viewers and is carried on every major provider. Travel Channel is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD, and maintains offices in New York and Atlanta. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country, is the manager and general partner.
|