THE BRIEF

​

Having filmed the previous series of 999 What’s Your Emergency? The Complete Camera Company were asked again to facilitate this fast-paced fixed-rig documentary.

Blast Films and Channel 4 were delighted with both the quality of the footage and the success of the 3rd series, which meant that we were able to use similar systems to rig the emergency vehicles. Blast chose to shoot the 4th series in Wiltshire, following 12 different vehicles, using a range of cameras spread evenly across the different response teams, which included regular patrol cars,

traffic police cars and ambulances.

​

THE CHALLENGES

​

One of the new challenges The CCC faced this series was the Fire Engine. This was the first time the fire service was going to be covered by 999 What’s Your Emergency?, so we utilised top-end HD mini cameras in the cabin. These cameras are ideal for this situation due to their small footprint, fantastic optics, and their ability to handle the contrast between interior

and exterior light levels incredibly well.

​

Each emergency department has their vehicles laid out in different ways. We needed to make sure that each one had its own bespoke technical plan, making sure the equipment could be cleverly built into the vehicle without hindering the work of the team using it.

During filming, The CCC provided centrally-located camera technicians to handle any on-site technical maintenance, who were available 24hrs a day.

​

One of the biggest challenges during the rig was waiting for vehicle availability, as each vehicle had to be off the road for at least half a day in order for the rig to be completed. This meant that we had to rig as quickly and efficiently as possible as soon as each car was made available to us, rigging two vehicles at the same time on some occasions.

​

THE RESULTS

​

After a very impressive turnaround from the Production and Edit team, the series began airing in July. The result was a hugely successful series of themed episodes, and the controversial issues covered with brilliant access acquired by Blast! Films meant that the audience were let into shocking, heart-warming and heartbreaking stories.

The content of some of the scenes was extremely distressing, but covered with incredible sensitivity, educating audiences and sparking both real-life and online debate.

​

FACTS & FIGURES 

​

Filmed: January – March 2017

Aired: July 2017

Channel: Channel 4

Location: Swindon, Wiltshire.

Viewers: 2.1 Million

Cameras: 36