4th and Forever Production Stills

January 11th, 2011

Our crews were out in the field every day for the upcoming “4th and Forever” series on Current TV. But definitely the most daunting task was covering the eleven games Long Beach Poly played this year. But guess what? We were more than up to the challenge. At any time there were around twelve cameras shooting the game including three RED cameras for the most incredible beauty shots you have ever seen, a few of the trusty Panasonic Varicams for some amazing live action footage and at any time we would also have several Canon 5D cameras in the crowd, with the cheerleaders, in the locker room and any place else you could name. We put mics on all of the main players, plus the head coach, defensive coordinator and some of the parents. It was truly a massive undertaking but we really made this season special by getting the best coverage anyone has ever seen, and because of the access on the sidelines and in the locker room, it is unlike anything the NFL or NCAA has produced. The show airs in April on Current TV but we wanted to show you some production stills as we are getting pumped for the world to see “4th and Forever”!!

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4th and Forever

December 16th, 2010

DLP Entertainment has been hard at work filming a new series entitled “4th and Forever” for Current TV documenting Long Beach Poly, a high school football team in southern California. Our guys were in the field nearly every day from August to November following the players at school, practice, at home and on the football field during game day. The access we were able to get from the school and players was incredible and the show will rival anything that you see on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” or “24/7″. We haven’t been able to divulge any information on the show because the announcement from the network was pending, but just the other day Current TV put out a press release and a promo for the show! Here are some excerpts from the press release…

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New York, December 13, 2010 – Current TV today announced the Sunday, April 3rd debut of “4th and Forever,” a new docu-series chronicling the 2010 football season of Long Beach Polytechnic High School, touted by Sports Illustrated as the “Sports School of the Century.” The series documents the trials and tribulations of the promising team helmed by Head Football Coach Raul Lara, whose nearly 20 years of coaching experience at Long Beach Poly has included 100 wins in nine seasons as Poly’s Head Coach entering the 2010 season. Poly’s historic program also boasts the largest roster of high school players who have gone on to the NFL.

“This is a defining and exciting moment for Current TV, but our mission goes far beyond simply expanding and investing in original programming,” said Mark Rosenthal, CEO, Current TV. “In an era of cookie cutter reality series, game shows and recycled programming ideas, Current TV believes there are important stories that have not yet found a voice on television. The Long Beach Poly student athletes showcased in ‘4th and Forever’ are inspiring and their lives, passions and experiences will truly resonate in this documentary series. ‘4th and Forever’ personifies the kind of meaningful entertainment we will be dedicated to providing in 2011.”

Ocean MacAdams, SVP, Programming, Current TV adds: “We immediately recognized Long Beach Poly was a very special place. There are inspirational coaches and student athletes that tug deeply at our hearts and we knew that if we brought their stories to television, people would watch and be positively affected by their experiences. This is ultimately a human interest story. You don’t have to be a sports fan to get pulled into the series.”

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Here is the promo. Stay tuned, more to come later.

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“Pony Excess” Pulls in Highest Ratings in Series

December 14th, 2010

A massive thanks to everyone who watched “Pony Excess,” DLP Entertainment’s documentary for ESPN’s “30 for 30″ series. We pulled in the highest ratings not only of the entire series, but “Pony Excess” was the highest rated documentary EVER to air on ESPN. We have received nothing but positive feedback and are truly pumped that we were able to bring this story to life and keep it the way we wanted to make it, while at the same time making it hugely appealing to the masses. If you haven’t yet caught the documentary, ESPN is re-airing it several times in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, December 14th 9pm ESPN
Wednesday, December 15th 9pm ESPN2
Thursday, December 16 1am ESPN U
Thursday, December 16 7pm ESPN U
Saturday, December 25 10am ESPN 2
[All times Eastern]

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30 for 30 Excerpts

December 8th, 2010

A couple of clips from “Pony Excess,” part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. It airs this Saturday at 9pm EST. Today, ESPN posted a few clips from the film on their site and we thought we’d share them with you. Here is an excerpt from “Pony Excess” about Eric Dickerson’s recruitment and the infamous gold Trans Am…

…and the vaunted “Pony Express” backfield of Eric Dickerson and Craig James.

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Pony Excess Premieres!

December 6th, 2010

Many thanks to all who made their way out to the Lakewood Theater in Dallas last Thursday for the big screen premiere of Pony Excess. Such an awesome crowd, great enthusiasm and rave reviews from the nearly 800 people who packed the theater.

Stay tuned for promotional efforts from ESPN throughout the week and tune in this Saturday, December 11, after the Heisman Trophy Presentation on ESPN.

Check out some of the preliminary reviews by local media that came out to the Lakewood Theater.

Tod Robberson Dallas Morning News
Barry Horn Dallas Morning News
Patrick Michels Dallas Observer

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30 for 30 Trailer

November 22nd, 2010

The DLP crew will be in Dallas for the premiere of “Pony Excess,” our long awaited 30 for 30 for ESPN. The 800 seat theater is going to be packed and we are pumped! The show itself airs on ESPN on December 11th at 9pm EST directly after the Heisman trophy presentation. Here’s a little taste.

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Clip from “Finding Hulk Hogan”

November 22nd, 2010

Our A&E documentary “Finding Hulk Hogan” premiered last Wednesday and aired again yesterday at noon. We’ve gotten some positive feedback and the blogs were buzzing about it. We’re really happy with the whole production, from the first day of shooting through the wrap date and to broadcast. We wanted to share a clip from the show. This is the entire fourth segment of five in this sixty-minute documentary, where Hulk has backed himself into a corner financially and must get back in the ring one more time.

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“Finding Hulk Hogan” Airs Tonight!

November 17th, 2010

The Hulk Hogan documentary we did for A&E airs tonight at 10pm EST. Check it out!

Here’s A&E’s promo for the show:

From AETV.com:

Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, has been world-famous for almost thirty years. From the fan frenzy of Hulkamania all the way through to the tabloid-driven fascination with his family, Hulk has lived his entire adult life in the public eye. Losing nearly everything in the aftermath of his divorce, a pending lawsuit from his son’s tragic car accident, and a body riddled with injuries from years in the ring, Hogan must now start over at a time when he thought he would be happily settled into his retirement. Emotional, and completely honest, “Finding Hulk Hogan” tells his side of the story — and gives viewers a Hulk Hogan they’ve never seen before.

The one-hour special premieres Wednesday, November 17 at 10PM ET/PT. Weaving together verite footage, Hogan gives fans a stark glimpse at his entire life, including his darkest moments of depression, thoughts of suicide, alcohol and prescription pill abuse, his broken marriage, losing his entire fortune, deciding to return to Totally Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling despite severe medical warnings, making amends with his children, finding God and committing to his girlfriend, Jennifer McDaniel. Candid interviews with Hogan and the people in his life help chronicle the ups and downs and round out the story of a man who is trying to rebuild the pieces of his empire and move forward with his life.

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