I’d hoped the Trout Unlimited’s new TV show (On the Rise) would live up to its lively, interesting trailer, escaping the straightjacket that limits most of fly fishing’s TV efforts.
Sadly, I just caught Madison River episode, and it fell far short.
The trailer is cool, but the episode is disappointingly stiff and slow moving.
While host Smethhurst (of Running Down the Man fame) will almost certainly get better as the series progresses, I’ve got to ask why the producers are still subjecting viewers to hoary, staged scenes that are feigning spontaneity?
In several instances, we’re supposed to believe Smethhurst is meeting someone for the first time, yet the camera’s already there to record the moment.
With fly fishing video shifting to an engaging documentary style (witness the rise of AEG, Felt Soul Media, and others), you have to wonder why On The Rise is playing out the stilted cliches of years past.
Transitions are slow, the scenes plodding, the narration ponderous, and we only catch glimpses of Smethhurst’s fly fishing talent.
A glance at the credits enlightens us; Barrett Productions is the company behind On The Rise (the folks who subjected the fly fishing world to all those glossy, quarter-inch-deep celebrity fly fishing videos and the painful-to-watch Fly Fishing Masters series).
On The Rise is a great concept (Smethhurst traveling the country in his trout-painted trailer) that fails to captivate.
Yeah I was pumped about it too. Hopefully they’ll take it up a notch or two in the weeks ahead.
Cheers.
Fishing Web Design(Quote)
I think this show has potential but some of the scenes were rather slow and seemed a bit staged too.
Hopefully they’ll improve on things in the remaining episodes.
Heddon17(Quote)
You have to wonder if one of the “new wave” video shops (Felt Soul, AEG, etc) could produce a fly fishing series that had mass appeal (e.g. one that didn’t alienate TU’s slightly older demographic).
Tom Chandler(Quote)
This is the trend of History and Nature Documentaries these days. More emphasis is placed on those that are reporting that the subject of the report.
Regarding fly fishing, I prefer a more arty approach than the rough and rugged x-tram sportsman way of presenting the subject.
Doug(Quote)
Tom,
I’m a fan of Trout Underground. I dig your writing, photos, and especially, the window into the world of California trout water those words & pics bring to life.
I’m also the producer and writer of the new TU series. As such, I appreciate the criticisms and have certainly taken them to heart.
There are a couple of points on which I feel you’re pretty far off-base, though. The first is when you compare the show to the work of AEG & Felt Soul. I know and respect the work of the parties of both production houses, and agree that each is advancing fly fishing media in ways it desperately needs to be advanced. But to put this series on the same playing field as their productions is, I think, unfair to the series. Cable TV budgets are small, in terms of both finances and time. Our shoots typically last 3-4 days, with the host and crew often working 16 hours of those days simply to capture all the necessary show elements. In post-production, we’re asked to complete a show in less than two weeks–there are many others waiting in the wings. Compare that to the AEG and Felt Soul guys, who often enjoy months in the field, and as long as a year or even more to build their shows in post. Now, all this is not to say that we can’t, or shouldn’t, strive to improve what we do inside our time frames, but I hope you can see the challenges inherent to such a schedule.
The second objection I have is that you summarily dismiss the series itself based, I believe, on the viewing of one episode. We’ve shot and built 15 shows for this season alone, and each one is different–some are stronger in the story, some in the fishing, etc. You may very well loathe all 15 episodes as much as you do the Madison show, but isn’t it a bit presumptuous to write off the entire thing based on less than seven percent of the whole?
As a footnote, I understand not all people are fans of Fly Fishing the World, or Fly Fishing Masters, but we are also the people responsible for Fly Fishing America, the first (and as far as I can tell, still the only) regular fishing show to ever ditch the host format and take a doc-style, storytelling approach. Oh, and we began that when AEG and Felt Soul were just beginning their work. FFA, by the way, is not currently on the air, which is a whole ‘nother discussion about TV markets, networks, and other things that make my head want to explode.
Keep up the good work; just try using a smaller stepladder to get up on that horse of yours.
Best,
Nick Davis
Barrett Productions
Nick(Quote)
Nick: Thanks for providing your measured, thoughtful opinion. I’d prefer to flip your points and address them in reverse order.
First, I’d agree that FFA was a better beast; a more authentic model for fly fishing shows than the vast majority of what we see.
I’d take it over most of what’s broadcast. As somebody who also sometimes sees his best work beaten half to death, I can only sympathize.
As for my dismissal of the TU series based on one show, that’s a fair point, though I wonder how many episodes you expect viewers to watch before they form an opinion? (In the marketing world, the answer is “one.”)
In fairness, I did allow room for improvement, and yes, On The Rise will arrive on my DVR every week. I’ll revisit it should I witness a change.
Your first objection is the most interesting. I appreciate your production constraints, but my criticisms of the show don’t revolve around production values (which are excellent), but dealt more with issues of authenticity and viewer engagement.
That’s why the reference to AEG, Felt Soul and fly fishing’s emerging documentary style — the very same style evidenced in the rather kickass On the Rise trailer.
Therein lies the problem; the trailer was spontaneous and – for lack of a better phrase – not excessively stage managed. The show felt different.
On The Rise is a great concept. I believe it has the capacity to highlight TU’s successes, reward those responsible (who often receive little recognition), and — based on the trailer — unveil a fresher face of TU to a new generation of fly fishers, who clearly aren’t enamored of the staged fly fishing shows that have gone before.
As for my high horse, well, isn’t most media critique written at those rarefied heights?
Please feel free to respond; an insider’s perspective is an invaluable one, and the one luxury afforded interactive media folks like myself is the ability to hold a conversation.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom,
You are a smoooooth and clever beast. Of course, I knew that; it’s one of the reasons your site works as well as it does.
Rather than re-flip and pull a double reverse, I’ll address your last in order.
As much as we want to put our best foot forward in every episode, the simple fact of the matter is that the dynamics of these shoots are highly variable. Weather conditions, fishing conditions, on-camera personnel (both fishing and non-fishing), even the sort of day the host and/or crew is having are all factors that weigh heavily in the quality of content we bring to the post-production process. Of course, these are the very same conditions that face all video crews who attempt to shoot fishing shows of any kind, and as a producer I work to make sure my crews are as prepared and professional as they can be. Still, when you’re dealing with the truncated schedules we have, there are times when the fishing footage and on-camera dynamics simply leave a bit to be desired. And unless a shoot is a complete train wreck, we will build a show of it–there’s no room in the budget to simply keep trying until you get it completely right.
If one of those shows happens to be the first one a viewer sees (or if the story, type of fishing, or on-camera people don’t hold much interest for that particular viewer), well, there’s not much we can do about it, except hope they’ll give the series another shot.
As far as your issues with authenticity and viewer engagement, I would be lying if I said I am completely happy with the look, feel, and pacing of the show. There are several reasons for that. The first–and sorry to continue beating this horse (one way to shorten it, perhaps?)–is the bugaboo of those production constraints. We do not, for example, have the time to allow the host and whomever he is fishing with for that particular show get to know each other and get comfortable in front of the camera (this speaks mainly to the TU folk we incorporate into the shows).
The second is the host himself. Despite Frank’s dynamic personality, mondo fly fishing chops, and previous production experience, he learned very quickly that shooting a series like this one is an entirely different animal than simply fishing in front of a camera, especially when the series requires him to convey specific storylines and augment so many different on-camera personalities. With that said, he did shine in some very difficult circumstances, and I have no doubt that he is the right man for the job. I do believe he got better as the season went along, though whether that opinion is shared by viewers remains to be seen.
The third reason is, quite simply, the presence of growing pains. We knew we were taking a risk in creating this new format, but we felt–and still do–that the payoff will be more than worth it. We committed to a road-trip format because a) what trout fisherman doesn’t dream of packing up and hitting the road for an epic coldwater adventure? and b) we felt it the best way to showcase the grassroots heart of Trout Unlimited.
In a nutshell, this is the format: Frank drives to notable coldwater fisheries, meets up with the people that can shed light on the issues facing that watershed–whether those people are TU locals, TU National staff, USFS or BLM biologists, or others–fishes his ass off, and hopefully has some fun along the way. As we’ve never done a show quite like this, and since we’re working with a relatively green host, we tried a number of different methods (during field production, and in post) to advance all elements of the format. Some worked very well, some were okay, and others not so much.
It’s up to us now to further refine those elements for season two, and as such any and all feedback is welcome. Even if it comes via horseback.
As for why the trailer seems a superior product than the show you saw, well, anybody in video production will tell you it’s a hell of a lot easier to build a three-minute montage than a 22-minute story, let alone 15 of those stories.
Thanks for watching in the first place.
Nick
p.s. Tonight’s show is good example of how different the episodes can be from one another. The second Madison River show is esentially Frank and Kelly Galloup hunting browns with streamers and dries.
Nick(Quote)
Nick: I’m watching it right now (they just launched). I’ll give it another shot.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I’m curiuos as to how you propose to record a spontaneous meeting and put it on television without the camera’s already being there to shoot it, so it can go on television.
Justin Karnopp(Quote)
I’m also curious as to how you spell curiuos
Justin Karnopp(Quote)
Justin: The meeting isn’t spontaneous, which is kinda the point. It’s not the meeting that the’s the problem, it’s the pretense.
Why act like it’s the first time you’ve met this guy, or that the truck and trailer are really pulling in off the road when they’re not (and so on)?
Why stage any of this? Why not try a little documentary style honesty? In fact, why bog the video with these kinds of awkward scenes?
It’s not a huge thing, but I notice it, and feel it puts a barrier between the viewer and the subjects.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I guided Frank on the South Hoslton River for the South Holston show, and I was fully aware that the show was low budget, and to be filmed in 8 hours. Frank and the camera crew worked hard during the filming, and were very professional in doing so. I thought our footage came out great, and the production was good as well. I thought the show was going to be a little more geared towards Felt Sole style, however, considering TU’s involvement I understand some of the “restraints.” By the time the South Hoslton show aired I feel the show had improved greatly, but the two big browns and unlimited rainbows helped as well. I thank all those involved for the opportunity to show a little piece of the Sotuh Holston.
Justin Shroyer
A.A.G.S.
Justin Shroyer(Quote)
I am a beginning fly fisherman.Would like to have more of the what,hows and whys of trout fishing shown on the show .I want to watch a show I can learn from.
Paul Clark(Quote)
I have watched much of the 08-09 season and like the show very much. They usually spend some time telling you about the fishery, the community and the local conservation efforts. The host and those who host him are likable and they catch fish. I enjoy the show’s laid back pace and its attention to the surroundings. Its not particularly instructional and they’re not always “slaying” fish but its always an enjoyable 1/2 hour. In fact, its one of the few fishing shows I watch any more.
Steve Z.(Quote)
It’s definitely not instructional, but the show does do conservation.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I have not read all the replies, but I cannot disagree more about the “On The Rise” show not deliverng much. Its one of the few outdoor shows that my wife and kids watch with me and we all love the mix of fishing, learning about the area and the conservation efforts. Its a wonderful show!
Not sure what you people expect, but fly fishing shows are few so I recommend you rally behind this one. Remember the alternative is no fly fishing shows. If you want pure fishing action rent or purchase some fly fishing videos or better yet….get on the stream and fish……thats more exciting then any show!
Derick(Quote)
The dreaded “you people.”
Before you get too awfully righteous, you should read the comments to the post about the second season, which suggests the show – and Frank Smethurst – were hitting their stride..
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Nick , I personally love the show. I think Frank is a good pick as host. I am sure that it’s difficult to pull off a tv show like On The Rise. Funding , weather , time and getting everyone on the same page. I think you guy’s pull it off very well under those extreme conditions. No its not a movie like AEG , It’s a TV show trying to show TU’s sucess stories as well as thier concerns. Keep up the good work . For those who critisize the show I’m looking fwd to your up coming season. Sense you think you can do a better job lets see what you got. Nick I am looking Fwd to next season. Dave V
David(Quote)
No sooner do I find this show than it moves networks (well it is moving in 2010). What stinks is that it is going from the Outdoor Channel to Sportsman Channel.
Well, it stinks for me at least as my cable provider just made the Outdoor Channel available in HD and doesn’t even carry Sportsman Channel.
Finding out that your cable provider doesn’t carry the new channel may be an issue for more than a few people as the Outdoor Channel is available to 30 million households and Sportsman Channel only available to about 17.3 million (according to a direct ad sales press release regarding the addition of the channel).
I am sure TU had its reasons for the change (and I was never that big a fan of some of the Outdoor Channel’s other fare) but cutting the number of homes your show can reach by nearly half just seems like a tough way to build up your viewership.
Well, back to harrassing my cable provider to add this channel…
Dean(Quote)
Tom,
I am not sure if you have changed your opinion with TU’s On the Rise, but I have enjoyed watching the DVD. I liked it some much from TU last year, that I gave a donation again to get Episode 2, so I could watch more. I enjoy watching it because I can live vicariously through Frank in this far off fishing locations for trout out West and beyond. These location I might never get a chance to fish, even though I am trying to get to Northern California this September to visit family in Oroville & Sacramento and will try up in Mt. Shasta area and Feather River area.
I’m living in North Carolina and fish for trout in the Western part of the state as much as I can, but the trout are smaller than y’all have out West and are stocked trout mostly.
You were even on Episode 2 McCloud fishing for Rainbows? Does that mean you have a change of heart?
Cheers,
Sam
Sam Costello(Quote)
I’ve watched most of the episodes of the first two seasons of On the Rise and have the second season recorded on my DVR. Both seasons are pretty similar and only slightly different from the old TUTV show. Frank is a decent host, sort of like Tim Linehan in that regard though their personalities are quite a bit different. I agree with most of what has been said save that as a serious fly fisherman in the southern Appalachians, very little TU attention has been aimed at the eastern United States in general in it’s history and that is very evident in the show. Yeah sure there are some eastern episodes, but almost all TU attention in the eastern US is aimed at areas immediately adjacent to major metropolitan cities. There are dozens of river drainages in the east with just as much at stake as those rivers out west but because of national attention or numbers of TU members close by, they recieve little or no attention. You want to see a true “river on the brink” look at the headwaters of the Savannah River in western North Carolina, miles and miles of which flow through a State Park and National Forest. TU and On the Rise could do a lot more to open eyes than to remind NYC residents that there is trout fishing on Long Island, and that Lahonton cutthroats have made an impressive comeback once people stopped killing them all. You see? It’s pretty obvious that you can’t make everyone, especially folks as conscientious as fly fishers happy all the time…
Nathan Chapman(Quote)