What is the F Word?
Everyone knows the notorious chef Gordon Ramsay, perhaps even more famous for his vulgarity than he is for his food. He has recently started a competitive cooking show called The F Word, where families from across the US compete in a cook-off. In addition to the competitions, we get to see a more empathetic and fun version of Gordon Ramsay as the show provides field segments of Gordon Ramsay interacting with culinary experts and pranking fans across the country through the help of our hidden camera gear.Hidden Camera in Plain Sight
Using a hidden cameras inside plants, and in the ceilings, it took a lot of testing and a lot of finagling to make sure that the cameras were invisible. On one episode of the “F” Word, Ramsay attempts to prank the staff of his own restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Steak, and it increasingly becomes challenging when the target of the prank sees the space all the time. Through rigging through binders, books and plants, there was a lot for the cameras to be hidden in. In some cases, we work with a set designer to get a floor plan beforehand to get a better sense of the space and where to rig, but in many cases, we do not. We will practice with our own equipment in the warehouse leading up to the shoot, but even so, the rigging on the actual day of can be completely unpredictable and filled with a lot of trips to the hardware store.Low Lighting Equipment
The mood lighting in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant is not exactly conducive to the best filming conditions, especially when your cameras have to be hidden and fixed. Here is a list of some of our favorite cameras to use on our hidden camera shoots and are trusty enough to work with the low light:- Black Magic Micro Studio
- Panasonic AW-UE70 HD/SDI PTZ Package
- AJA Ki Pro Ultra Plus Multi-Channel 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD Recorder and Player
- Custom Modified GoPro Hero 4 Camera with Ribcage Backbone
