Discovery Channel Series looking for 911 owners
Discussion
We are currently starting pre-production of the fourth series of Wheeler Dealers, the popular show about buying, restoring and selling on modern classic vehicles as shown on The Discovery Channel Real Time. We are looking for owners of a Porsche 911 Targa (2700cc) from 1976 in immaculate conditions. If you are unfamiliar with the programme, we will be restoring a similar vehicle and would like to meet one owner who can show us what the car should look like once completely restored. The owner will be required to spend 1 or 2 days with us at the Kemble Airfield, Kemble, Gloucestershire, UK sometime in March. There, you will be interviewed by the presenter of the series, Mike Brewer. We will need to film some beauty shots of the car (inside and out) as well as see Mike Brewer drive the car. If you are interested please contact me at the following email address: martini4all@hotmail.com - feel free to email me some pictures of your car, as well as info about yourself and most importantly, contact details. If you require additional information, do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Martini
've just been told by our producer that we could consider featuring an early 80's 3.2 Carrera in great condition and as original as possible (no boy racers please). So, I hope this will get us more contributors. Please spread the word and feel free to send me an email with your details (so i can call you) and most importantly, pictures of the car. Thanks! Martini
I just wanted to clear up that we are still looking for a good condition Targa as originally advertised, but we would ALSO consider the 3.2 Carrera as an alternative (we would obviously change the story a bit). This will hopefully get us more interest from Porsche owners. Any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks Martini
superlightr said:
so how does this 'helping make a commercial tv programme' work?
does the Porsche owner get paid for the 2 days? are travel expences paid? etc
I think you get to wait around for a couple of days while Mike Brewer "rags the arse" of your P&J. In return, you get to bask in the reflected glory of having your motor on the telly.
I might be wrong.
pp
hi guys, thanks for your comments. In regards to how it works, here is a brief summary: the contributor would arrive at the location with his car. we would then do an interview with the owner and Mike Brewer, with Mike asking about the car, how long the owner has had it for, any work that was done to it, etc etc. then we do some beauty shots of the car (stationary, in and out, and whilst being driven). then we film from inside the car (usually with a small camera) Mike Brewer as he drives the car and comments on it (the look/feel, power, handling, etc etc). depending on the weather, thsi usually takes one full day to do. Unfortunately the contributor does not get paid other than travel expenses (petrol and food) and breakfast and lunch will be provided for. thanks for your comments and keep the emails coming! martini
We`ll sort you one out. £300 pr day plus delivery & driver at £1 per mile, (distance from Uxbridge and £140 respectively). All plus Vat.
A positive bargain !
The last time we had Brewer, not for wheeler dealers, round we were promised a mention, etc, etc. Ended up without even a mention in the credits let alone logo in the background / on the car etc. (They even blur out the odd ones that do remain in shot). On the plus side had some fun once driving a double four poster bed round the Hampshire countryside following Ed on his sofa with pizza for a steering wheel!
I`ve always found it very odd that TV production companies (and you are not alone), expect the use of the core ingredient of their programmes for free. Would it be fair to assume that with the vest number of people trying trying to get into film & tv work your crew are unpaid and doing it for the experience and to put on their CV`s
Henry
A positive bargain !
The last time we had Brewer, not for wheeler dealers, round we were promised a mention, etc, etc. Ended up without even a mention in the credits let alone logo in the background / on the car etc. (They even blur out the odd ones that do remain in shot). On the plus side had some fun once driving a double four poster bed round the Hampshire countryside following Ed on his sofa with pizza for a steering wheel!
I`ve always found it very odd that TV production companies (and you are not alone), expect the use of the core ingredient of their programmes for free. Would it be fair to assume that with the vest number of people trying trying to get into film & tv work your crew are unpaid and doing it for the experience and to put on their CV`s
Henry
hi Henry
thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what your previous experience with Mike Brewer was but from our side of things i can say this: due to ITC regulations, programmes have to be very careful when mentioning companies or logos in their programme. Thus, anyone that promises to mention your company or logo in a programme is a liar, for no one can promise that upfront (it would be considered sponsorship and therefore illegal). What we always say to companies that contribute to us, is that we will try our best to feature them in the programme and that we CAN mention them in the credits as a SPECIAL THANKS (there is no ITC rule to prohibit that). Thus, most companies get involved knowing that there is always the chance that their contribution is limited or sometimes completely removed. unfortunately we don't live in the US where sponsorship is in every TV frame. I say unfortunately, although from the viewer's point of view, its probably better this way. As for why TV programmes expect things and people for free, it just comes down to a simple fact: not every TV programme you see has the budget of Top Gear. Whilst we don't get crew to work for free (mostly because our budget and schedules are so tight that we cannot afford to hire inexperienced crews that might delay things - its more cost effective this way), our experience has shown that most contributors are usually quite happy to appear in the programme for no fee, just for the fun of it. In the last 3 years we have received nothing but praise from all those that have appeared in the programme. they had a great day out, they got to see how things work, they met the presenters and the crew and they enjoyed themselves. In return, we pay their expenses, put them on a TV show and then send them a DVD. I can appreciate that not everyone is interested in this and that some people just won't do anything unless money was involved. We are not forcing anyone to appear in the programme, if they want to, then by all means, get in touch with us. if money is requested, then i'm afraid at this time we cannot accomodate that. perhaps in the future there will be more money available, and we can pay everyone Jeremy Clarkson rates, including myself! all the best. Martini
thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what your previous experience with Mike Brewer was but from our side of things i can say this: due to ITC regulations, programmes have to be very careful when mentioning companies or logos in their programme. Thus, anyone that promises to mention your company or logo in a programme is a liar, for no one can promise that upfront (it would be considered sponsorship and therefore illegal). What we always say to companies that contribute to us, is that we will try our best to feature them in the programme and that we CAN mention them in the credits as a SPECIAL THANKS (there is no ITC rule to prohibit that). Thus, most companies get involved knowing that there is always the chance that their contribution is limited or sometimes completely removed. unfortunately we don't live in the US where sponsorship is in every TV frame. I say unfortunately, although from the viewer's point of view, its probably better this way. As for why TV programmes expect things and people for free, it just comes down to a simple fact: not every TV programme you see has the budget of Top Gear. Whilst we don't get crew to work for free (mostly because our budget and schedules are so tight that we cannot afford to hire inexperienced crews that might delay things - its more cost effective this way), our experience has shown that most contributors are usually quite happy to appear in the programme for no fee, just for the fun of it. In the last 3 years we have received nothing but praise from all those that have appeared in the programme. they had a great day out, they got to see how things work, they met the presenters and the crew and they enjoyed themselves. In return, we pay their expenses, put them on a TV show and then send them a DVD. I can appreciate that not everyone is interested in this and that some people just won't do anything unless money was involved. We are not forcing anyone to appear in the programme, if they want to, then by all means, get in touch with us. if money is requested, then i'm afraid at this time we cannot accomodate that. perhaps in the future there will be more money available, and we can pay everyone Jeremy Clarkson rates, including myself! all the best. Martini
Well said Martini.
I am always amazed at how hostile a reception researchers and producers can sometimes recieve. Appearing on TV, in print or on the radio can be a bit of a laugh and an interesting experience, if that's your bag. Well worth doing even for no money! Hell, I even moderate this forum just for the love of it.
Now some people go too far and get onto TV too often (narcissistic tendencies methinks!) which is a bit odd. =And some people are very shy and run a mile when someone wants them to appear on the devil's fishtank. Well fine, don't go on it
But this 'what do I get out of it' thing is a bit mercenary. If you get expenses and a good day out you've already saved yourself the cost of going to Alton Towers instead
I am always amazed at how hostile a reception researchers and producers can sometimes recieve. Appearing on TV, in print or on the radio can be a bit of a laugh and an interesting experience, if that's your bag. Well worth doing even for no money! Hell, I even moderate this forum just for the love of it.
Now some people go too far and get onto TV too often (narcissistic tendencies methinks!) which is a bit odd. =And some people are very shy and run a mile when someone wants them to appear on the devil's fishtank. Well fine, don't go on it
But this 'what do I get out of it' thing is a bit mercenary. If you get expenses and a good day out you've already saved yourself the cost of going to Alton Towers instead
martini4all said:
due to ITC regulations, programmes have to be very careful when mentioning companies or logos in their programme. Thus, anyone that promises to mention your company or logo in a programme is a liar, for no one can promise that upfront (it would be considered sponsorship and therefore illegal).
Interesting... how often, even on the BBC, are product logos clearly visible?! First one that comes to mind is that fine legal programme "Judge John Deed" with the Sony Vaio logo so prominient a blind person couldn't miss it.
domster said:
Well said Martini.
But this 'what do I get out of it' thing is a bit mercenary. If you get expenses and a good day out you've already saved yourself the cost of going to Alton Towers instead
I wouldn't categorize the response as mercenary. Rather it's a means of making a point and a reaction to the presumption that we'll all come running just for the thrill of being on the box.
pp
Martini
I am sure you will get someone who wants their P&J ragged around by Mike Brewer, but it would not be me, if i had one.
I have taken cars to a few tv shows (Top Gear, Driven) and also done a number of video's (most notably Clarkson ones). I have been paid full expenses and fair wear and tear on all of them. I have also been interviewed on BBC News at 6 and the camera shot was set up to include my company logo as a Thank You for helping.
On one edition of Driven, a certain Mr Brewer destroyed the clutch on a 22B by attempting to drive it like it was a stolen Metro. The programme producers paid for a set of tyres, the new clutch and gave my company a thank you in the credits.
If I had a very rare early Porsche, I would expect similar assurances from you.
I am sure you will get someone who wants their P&J ragged around by Mike Brewer, but it would not be me, if i had one.
I have taken cars to a few tv shows (Top Gear, Driven) and also done a number of video's (most notably Clarkson ones). I have been paid full expenses and fair wear and tear on all of them. I have also been interviewed on BBC News at 6 and the camera shot was set up to include my company logo as a Thank You for helping.
On one edition of Driven, a certain Mr Brewer destroyed the clutch on a 22B by attempting to drive it like it was a stolen Metro. The programme producers paid for a set of tyres, the new clutch and gave my company a thank you in the credits.
If I had a very rare early Porsche, I would expect similar assurances from you.
Martini,
Really enjoy the series, excellent selection of cars imho. Currently seen proping up Discovery Real Time on sky.
One thing though, some of the costings are pretty ridiculous and take complete MOT failures, yet do not include the cost of MOT tests + the countless other parts that must be required, inc new tyres etc etc that magically appear.
Also, the cut / shut method of fixing the massive rust on the winscreen pillar on the MX5 was terrible. A bit of filler isn't going to help much if the thing rolls over. Bet the new owner was pleased when he saw the eposide
Really enjoy the series, excellent selection of cars imho. Currently seen proping up Discovery Real Time on sky.
One thing though, some of the costings are pretty ridiculous and take complete MOT failures, yet do not include the cost of MOT tests + the countless other parts that must be required, inc new tyres etc etc that magically appear.
Also, the cut / shut method of fixing the massive rust on the winscreen pillar on the MX5 was terrible. A bit of filler isn't going to help much if the thing rolls over. Bet the new owner was pleased when he saw the eposide
Pickled Piper said:
it's a means of making a point and a reaction to the presumption that we'll all come running just for the thrill of being on the box.
pp
I'm not sure that presumption was there in the first place?
Some owners may want a cheque to get out of bed like Naomi Campbell, others will be happy to enjoy the experience and have their bacon sarnie paid for. Horses for courses. If you don't want to help, then you don't have to have to, but let's not be too negative if people put in a friendly request.
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