Added 3 months ago
Scott Owyen introduces the Genie S-60X to the film crew.
Terex Aerial Work Platforms (AWP) Marketing Director, Mike Samora, was already a fan of the Discovery Channel’s hit series Gold Rush, when the show’s producer called him to see if Genie® branded products could be featured on an upcoming episode.
The show, which airs Friday nights at 9PM ET/PT, follows a group of people who, in the grip of the current economic recession, attempt to strike it rich mining for gold.
“The Genie® brand is well known in the TV industry and I personally have used various models on other series in the past,” said series producer, Ronan Browne. “On both sides of the Atlantic, Genie has become the watchword for aerial platforms and has enviable brand recognition in the industry.”
In this season of Gold Rush, taking place just outside Dawson City in the Yukon Territory of Canada, the crew needed the assistance of a Genie® product, and also required training for proper operation of the boom.
“Ronan contacted us because the show needed a boom to help clean their gold washing station,” said Samora. “But a Genie® S-60X telescopic boom lift could also be used for filming. The boom allowed them to get close to their wash plant when the pay dirt was being filtered, while also providing an excellent elevated platform for filming. The Yukon is a perfect hostile environment to highlight the S-60X’s full capabilities.”
“Given the rough terrain, extremely remote location and demands of filming a' fly on the wall' documentary series, we knew we would need an extremely durable, robust piece of equipment,” said Browne. “The S-60X gave us the flexibility to carry a cameraman, sounds recordist and director along with their kit. Its off road capability was crucial for moving around safely and efficiently on a working gold mine.”
In collaboration with McPherson Rentals, Samora, Terex AWP Training Manager, Scott Owyen, and the Genie boom made the two-day trip from Redmond, Washington to the remote filming location in the Yukon, where – with some up-front operations and safety training by Scott Owyen – the show’s operators were ready to go, fully confident in the machine’s abilities.
The operation of the machine was so smooth that the producers were able to use it as both a straight aerial platform and as a moving shooting platform, in addition to its original intended gold-washing purpose.
“Our Director of Photography was able to achieve some stunning 'reveal' shots where the camera is panned upwards on the moving platform,” said Browne. “It was also unexpectedly rugged and capable for off-road applications. The harsh conditions here initially worried us, but we soon realized that the machine could reach the muddy and steep areas of the gold claim safely and quickly.”
“This was a win all the way around,” said Owyen. “The modern day miners really carry the entrepreneurial spirit. The belief in themselves is refreshing. I was impressed with how much hard work they were putting in – this was definitely not a Hollywood set. These were real people, real work and real hearts of gold. I’m glad we were able to be a part of it.”
If you tune in to a future “Gold Rush” episode this season, you might just see a Genie® S-60X telescopic boom lift doing its job!
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