The 'look' of Top Gear

Cusson · October 21st, 2008, 11:01 PM

One of the things I've really come to love about Top Gear is how the show has developed its own unique look. The post-production of the series is top notch and most of the films look like million dollar productions. I'm wondering if anyone knows the post-production process for the films on Top Gear. What editing and touch up software is used for the footage. If I had to guess, I'd say they use either Adobe After Effects or Apple Color for the unique appearance they achieve with their films. I'm also curious as to what kind of cameras the film crew uses. Anyone who knows more about the BBC's production process, post up!

avidvideo · October 21st, 2008, 11:31 PM

An acquaintance of mine from England worked in television there and tells me that Top Gear gets all their post production done at BBC Bristol. The website details their facilities.

amandalea · October 21st, 2008, 11:46 PM

Actually, that's a really good question. I'd like to know that too, among wanting to become best friends with the cinematographer. The guy/girl's a complete and utter genius.
For your question, I do know they use a hell of a lot of filters. images/smilies/wink.gif

And there's another thread with sorta of the same thing asked: Here

Mineworksfine · October 21st, 2008, 11:46 PM

Can't help much with the technicalities but one of the things that came out after Hammond's crash was that while most shows broadcast 1 minute of footage for every 20 minutes filmed, Top Gear's ratio is nearer to 200:1. Also the Veyron race took the editor over a month working 16 hour days to edit for about 20 minutes of broadcast footage. Might go some way to explaining how the show looks so good.

knewman · October 22nd, 2008, 12:52 AM

Its great when such effort is really noticeable in the final product.

controlspecimen · October 22nd, 2008, 6:52 AM

In the Behind the Scenes of Clarkson's DVD last year, you can really see the difference between a normal, nightly-news type camera (what they used for the behind the scenes footage) and the beautiful rich colors that result from the real things with all their filters and such.

bruces · October 26th, 2008, 5:06 PM

Alot is done in camera the 'old skool' way ie filters/special lenses etc but they do add alot of post shoot effects. As a Photographer i'd have no idea what software they'd use though. But i'll ask about with the folk that might or should know.. As i wouldn't mind knowning myself.. intresting to see how they achieve such effects with video..

You could always sent them an email at Bristol?

sith33 · October 29th, 2008, 3:30 AM

Looks like they use Lustre for grading (color correction), Smoke for compositing, and then FCP/Avid for editing.

ja404 · October 29th, 2008, 3:42 PM

They sure use a lot of vignetting as well.

svb · October 29th, 2008, 6:56 PM

I, for one, would definitely be interested in learning the technical aspects of how they achieve the look that they do for their shots if anyone knows.

KM-TV · October 29th, 2008, 8:03 PM

Cameras used are usually Sony XD Cam, With bullet cameras hooked up to XDCam video decks somewhere on the car. They also use [or at least did at the 24 hours] Sony Z1 HDV cameras for extra shots.

October 21st, 2008, 11:01 PM	#1
Cusson Joined: Jan 16th, 2006 Last Online: July 18th, 2009 Location: Dublin, CA US Posts: 13 Car: 2003 Subaru WRX Rep Power: 0	The 'look' of Top Gear One of the things I've really come to love about Top Gear is how the show has developed its own unique look. The post-production of the series is top notch and most of the films look like million dollar productions. I'm wondering if anyone knows the post-production process for the films on Top Gear. What editing and touch up software is used for the footage. If I had to guess, I'd say they use either Adobe After Effects or Apple Color for the unique appearance they achieve with their films. I'm also curious as to what kind of cameras the film crew uses. Anyone who knows more about the BBC's production process, post up!

October 21st, 2008, 11:31 PM	#2
avidvideo Joined: Jan 16th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Jagged Rock Junction, Toronto, Canada Posts: 394 Rep Power: 18	An acquaintance of mine from England worked in television there and tells me that Top Gear gets all their post production done at BBC Bristol. The website details their facilities. __________________ "Police people can have an entire conversation and you wouldn't recognize a single word. They call cars 'vehicles' and they never walk anywhere. They 'proceed'. Doctors are as bad, solicitors are worse. And then there's the world of film and television. I know what 'Roll VT' means and you don't, so I am brighter and cleverer than you." Jeremy Clarkson "Decadence is freedom with a smile" Penn Jillette torontogamers.ca

October 21st, 2008, 11:46 PM	#3
amandalea Joined: Jul 27th, 2008 Last Online: October 4th, 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 325 Rep Power: 23	Actually, that's a really good question. I'd like to know that too, among wanting to become best friends with the cinematographer. The guy/girl's a complete and utter genius. For your question, I do know they use a hell of a lot of filters. And there's another thread with sorta of the same thing asked: Here __________________ in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty Last edited by amandalea; October 26th, 2008 at 5:27 PM.

October 21st, 2008, 11:46 PM	#4
Mineworksfine Joined: May 29th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Mineworksfine Towers, Worthing, West Sussex, UK Age: 40 Posts: 1,931 Car: Mazda MX-5 1.8i Phoenix SE, Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 Rep Power: 134	Can't help much with the technicalities but one of the things that came out after Hammond's crash was that while most shows broadcast 1 minute of footage for every 20 minutes filmed, Top Gear's ratio is nearer to 200:1. Also the Veyron race took the editor over a month working 16 hour days to edit for about 20 minutes of broadcast footage. Might go some way to explaining how the show looks so good. __________________ WARNING! Posts from Mineworksfine are likely to contain traces of irony. If you believe you may be suffering from an irony deficiency please consult your physician. Mineworksfine and its subsidiaries can not be held responsible for any failure to seek appropriate medical intervention.

October 22nd, 2008, 12:52 AM	#5
knewman Joined: Oct 3rd, 2008 Last Online: December 10th, 2008 Location: King of Prussia, PA Age: 19 Posts: 48 Car: Honda Batmobile Rep Power: 7	Its great when such effort is really noticeable in the final product. __________________

October 22nd, 2008, 6:52 AM	#6
controlspecimen Joined: Jan 1st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Washington DC Posts: 253 Car: 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero Rep Power: 24	In the Behind the Scenes of Clarkson's DVD last year, you can really see the difference between a normal, nightly-news type camera (what they used for the behind the scenes footage) and the beautiful rich colors that result from the real things with all their filters and such.

October 26th, 2008, 5:06 PM	#7
bruces Joined: Oct 24th, 2008 Last Online: March 15th, 2009 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Alot is done in camera the 'old skool' way ie filters/special lenses etc but they do add alot of post shoot effects. As a Photographer i'd have no idea what software they'd use though. But i'll ask about with the folk that might or should know.. As i wouldn't mind knowning myself.. intresting to see how they achieve such effects with video.. You could always sent them an email at Bristol?

October 29th, 2008, 3:30 AM	#8
sith33 VIP Joined: Apr 6th, 2004 Last Online: November 2nd, 2009 Posts: 186 Rep Power: 23	Looks like they use Lustre for grading (color correction), Smoke for compositing, and then FCP/Avid for editing.

October 29th, 2008, 3:42 PM	#9
ja404 Joined: Nov 15th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Massachusetts Posts: 402 Car: 04 Audi A4 1.8T, 91 Eclipse GSX , Suzuki GSXF600 Rep Power: 16	They sure use a lot of vignetting as well. __________________

October 29th, 2008, 6:56 PM	#10
svb Joined: Jul 21st, 2008 Last Online: November 6th, 2009 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 136 Car: 2009 VW GTI Rep Power: 14	I, for one, would definitely be interested in learning the technical aspects of how they achieve the look that they do for their shots if anyone knows. __________________ A Californian Homage to Top Gear (FILM)

October 29th, 2008, 8:03 PM	#11
KM-TV Joined: Aug 29th, 2008 Last Online: July 28th, 2009 Location: South Wales. Posts: 124 Car: Peugeot 106 Rep Power: 8	Cameras used are usually Sony XD Cam, With bullet cameras hooked up to XDCam video decks somewhere on the car. They also use [or at least did at the 24 hours] Sony Z1 HDV cameras for extra shots. __________________ If it doesn't move - point a camera at it, If it moves - stick a camera on it! "Of course, the porsche purists don't like 4 wheel drive, but they don't like electric windows either" : James May

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