Expeditions?  How Hard Can They Be?

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 12/29/2014 at 12:15 • Filed to: None

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There are NO Top Gear Patagonia spoilers in this post but there is this picture

Which is a drone shot of the ferry taken to Tierra del Feugo and what you will notice is that, aside from the fact that you can't actually see the 3 hero cars in this shot is the huge proportion of not-hero car to hero car; 11 support vehicles in this shot alone.

I produce video and film for a living, I have done for years and I'm an amateur overland driver and so I know a few things about:

TV

Expeditionary travel

Despite this and as a credit to the excellent production values of the BBC and the acting credentials of the of 3 hosts, every-time they do one of these large expeditionary specials the feeling is truly one of independence, that they really doing it on their own. I will admit to, at times, being fooled into thinking...well that looks totally doable! Just look how are they going so well through the jungle, desert, arctic, etc. How are they doing it that in unsuitable vehicles when all that I read and see tells me that you need to equip even the most hairy chested expedition vehicle to bursting to even think about attempting such a trip?

In the show, and no its not really a spoiler, they reveal that the crew is 31 people in addition to 4 tons of nothing but camera gear and other supplies that need to be brought home.
31 people!

Then think of the logistics! The paperwork, the spares, the food, the accommodations, etc, etc. It boggles the mind! Which is why in the real world, no...just no. You would never make it with such ease, and in cars like that, but it makes for great TV!

Does this huge caravan party make the journies less impressive? no, if anything I am more impressed with the cordination of such a camp while still being able to maintain the illusion. I hugely respect the planning, direction and production of such a massive party like this.

(re-post because I posted it it at midnight eastern)

Viggen > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 00:39

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You can see the hero trailer!

Interesting how much more often the Disco camera cars were featured than in other episodes.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 00:42

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Hello 2CV!

Tohru > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 00:53

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Man, that's a lot of tires.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 00:56

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PJ O'Rourke referred to the peple who organise this sort of shit as "combat accountants". It's a phrase I've always loved.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 00:58

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I only noticed 1 drone shot coming out of the workshop. How much more do you think television will start to use drones over traditional helicopter shots?

HammerheadFistpunch > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 12/29/2014 at 01:00

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there we several drone shots in this film, and they started using them over helicopters in the nile special. We are getting so you dont even notice the shots they are so common. They are neat tools for professionals but i hate their consumer proliferation

HammerheadFistpunch > Tohru 12/29/2014 at 01:01

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thats what i thought, mostly hero car tires i assume

stuttgartobsessed > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 01:10

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I take it you've watched both parts... but the repairs that were done to some of the cars seemed pretty major to me, requiring much support/equipment (aka mobile welding for example). Top Gear does have beautiful shots and cinematography so I guess they would need a bunch of cameras and batteries because they can't always charge them in the remote places they go. Plus theres at least one doctor that travels with them. Then tires, spare parts for ALL of the cars, food, etc. I guess advance people to scout out locations. PLUS, it seems they split up quite often, so camera cars, etc to follow two or three different groups at once. It adds up.

Pretty crazy though when you think about it.

Tohru > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 01:39

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I hate that the word drone is used for flying vehicles that are not drones. A quadrotor you got for $99 at Radio Shack is not a drone - drones can fly autonomously, your quadrotor has a controller.

Luken10 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 02:49

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I have been looking into doing something similar, but on a MUCH smaller scale with some buddies. Find some great roads, a little bit of light offroading, and some great scenery for an epic trip.

It all sounds good until you realize what you have brought up above. We would not have the huge support crew, doctor, spares, and what is essentially a mobile machine shop. They have just about everything they need to keep the cars running.

We will probably still do it and hope for the best! It will just be important not to be as extreme. Will definitely have to make a post when it's been done.

Svend > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 02:55

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Oh god. His and Hers porta-loos.

Svend > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 03:04

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These overland expeditions are very doable and done all the time. The biggest thing is knowing where you want to go, get necessary VISAs, prepare your vehicle, seek Consular, Embassy and medical advice on what to be prepared for and what to be wary of, get to completely know your vehicle and how it handles and what it's capable of doing. If off roading is required do an advanced course and learn what you and your vehicle are capable of (if any doubt as to the vehicle or your competence, start over).

Remember the six 'P's

Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance.

What you've got to bare in mind with Topgear is that there is a lot of detailed camera work, moving shots (hence the several lettered off roaders) and red tape for filming in these countries. You won't ordinarily take a couple of full size chemical toilets with you or cars solely to take pictures and film your own car driving the expedition. Look at any Land Rover group or forum and you'll find loads of minor to major expeditions and what they did to get themselves and the vehicle ready.

FasTbird232 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 06:50

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There's a shot in the Bolivia special, when Clarkson is driving off the raft, for a split second out his window you can see a dozen crew sitting on the bank. Doesn't happen too often that they break the fourth wall, so to speak, but then again, they've never pretended they were on their own. When they change a dozen spare tires in the Africa special, you're not really thinking about where the hell they've kept them.

Also, I read in Hammond's book they sometimes bring their families along during the longer trips, and are in hotels more times than they ever let on.

nermal > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 12/29/2014 at 10:01

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The best drone shots they've done on TG have to be the ones thru Chernobyl.

I'd guess most all helicopter shots will be replaced by drone shots in short order, simply based on costs. You can buy two drones and crash one for the cost of running a helicopter for a few hours!

nermal > FasTbird232 12/29/2014 at 10:03

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The tires in the Africa special got me as well. Where did they all come from? How many spares did they actually bring?

HammerheadFistpunch > FasTbird232 12/29/2014 at 11:26

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yeah, its the magic of the show. its excellent magic when you can make a guy like me feel like they are for real from time to time

HammerheadFistpunch > Svend 12/29/2014 at 11:28

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oh i'm quite aware of what it takes to do these types of expeditions in reality which is why I find these productions so amazing. They SELL the idea that you really could buy cheap ass cars and trek them over hill and dale so well. Its more just a marvel for me that its so well produced.

HammerheadFistpunch > Luken10 12/29/2014 at 11:29

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overlanding is all too common these days and totally within the grasp of the average guy or gal, but it takes a lot more prep work and planning than they make it look in the show. I hope you do, I love those trips.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tohru 12/29/2014 at 11:31

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its true. To be fair, the higher end muti-roters have a lot of autonomous functionality built in, including self fly and return to home. Even the cheapest COULD (if you stretch the word) be called autonomous because they are computer controlled to maintain stable flight

Tohru > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 11:46

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Yeah, I know. It's an evolution of the language, but it's not accurate and it bugs me.

FasTbird232 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 11:53

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http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/bbc-to…

Here's just a bit of interest from the team that assisted on the Bolivia expedition.

HammerheadFistpunch > FasTbird232 12/29/2014 at 12:01

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cool, thanks! I find it the planning and the organization as fascinating as the destination sometimes.

macanamera > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:19

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1. I love how they use Land Rovers.

2. The 2cv was towed the whole time?!

FasTbird232 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:27

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Me, too. I would love a behind the scenes show about what goes into these big expeditions.

BATC42 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:31

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I always knew Top Gear needed a lot of equipement/people to be done, but I never thought they needed that much. I love the fact they used a Dakar support truck :)

As for the Land Rovers, I'm still amazed. Many people consider them to be some of the least reliable vehicles, yet Top Gear always uses them to film. I know they use Range Rovers just for the split tailgate though. I think the only time they didn't uses a Land Rover or Range Rover was when they were in the USA and they were filming with Tahoe/Suburbans

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:31

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I don't know about anyone else, but personally I have never been under the impression that top gear does any of there expedition challenges without a massive crew, a fleet of trucks and a ton of equipment. They usually even reference/show the crew at some point.

HammerheadFistpunch > BATC42 12/29/2014 at 12:32

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Land/Range rovers are WONDERFULLY reliable...for the first 50,000 miles....

HammerheadFistpunch > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/29/2014 at 12:33

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The first time I noticed them reference the crew was when James was hurt in the middle east special, but even then it was out of necessity, but they are doing it more and more I feel as people understand what a huge undertaking these trips are and the importance of the illusions is less.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:35

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I remember them doing it in the arctic special, the first arctic special, and some others.

HammerheadFistpunch > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/29/2014 at 12:36

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thats right, in the arctic special as well.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 12:40

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shit, the second arctic was supposed to be the first Africa special. Autocorrect.

Justin Hughes > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 13:05

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Long Way Round and Long Way Down show a great deal of what goes into preparing for and going on one of these expeditions. Though the focus is on Ewan and Charley, of course, the entire film crew is part of the show as well. It's a significant effort, and that's just for two motorcycles (three including Claudio, the bike cameraman).

HammerheadFistpunch > Justin Hughes 12/29/2014 at 13:07

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Thank you, I was actually going to add that as an addendum, I started re-watching long way down last night.

Svend > HammerheadFistpunch 12/29/2014 at 15:37

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There is a rally each year from the U.K. called the Mongol Rally. It's a charity rally covering 10,000miles (next one is on the 19th of July and for the first time won't finish in Mongolia but the Russian city of Ulan Ude) with cars of around 1,000cc.

http://www.theadventurists.com/mongol-rally-t…

Some of the cars cost less than $100 and turned into quite a nice jolly jaunt.

There is another (for the life of me I can't recall the name of it) where you take a van (usually an old Land Rover) and fill if will supplies and donations and drive out on mass to a place in the desert and hand over the vehicle and it's contents and either fly back from the nearest airport or get a lift back with another vehicle that has just taken out supplies.