SPEED today announces the launch of a new reality series, Shooting Cars. Starting Wed., Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET with back-to-back episodes, Gino Lucci and Columbo Saggese take viewers behind the scenes of how Brooklyn, N.Y., auto shop Picture Cars East locates, prepares and delivers the vehicles you see in movies, television shows or modern media productions.
"Cars are ubiquitous on screen and across all media, yet most of us give little thought to how they actually get there or what goes into selecting and prepping them for the cameras," said Robert Ecker, VP of Programming for SPEED. "This program will immerse the SPEED audience in a part of the entertainment industry most of us have never before been exposed."
Each episode of Shooting Cars offers the viewer an automotive-inspired window to the back-lot production of their favorite movie, television show or magazine cover shoot. This new show uncovers the 'tricks of the trade,' and answers the question, 'how did they do that?'
"Unlike any number of other shows that place vehicles on a pedestal and portray them as shining status symbols, this series will smash, burn, blow-up and otherwise destroy them in a myriad ways just for the benefit of the cameras photographing them," continued Ecker. "It promises to be an absolute blast, pun intended."
"The audience will really get a sense for what it takes to make these cars explode, roll over, fly through glass or whatever is needed," said Lucci, who started the business back in 1974. "We're modifying cars for film - for function. For example, when the audience only sees one car in a particular movie, they may not realize it might really take six cars modified in different ways to perform the multiple stunts or actions that 'one' car is performing in the show.
"These deadlines are murderous and the pressure is intense," Lucci continued. "But with these challenges, comes great rewards. Nothing feels better than a director looking at you and saying, 'you guys did a great job.'"
As for Lucci, he wants to be known as a true 'car guy.' His impressive collection of Ford Shelby GT Mustangs, which includes an original black and gold striped 1966 Shelby Hertz GT-350H rental racer, only bolsters that long-time passion.
"I came from three generations of deep-sea divers," Lucci explained. "But, from about seven years old, all I could ever think about was cars. There's nothing more perfect or rewarding than doing something you love to do. I work with cars every day, and there's nothing I would want to change about that."
SPEED, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 71 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.
