We threw everything we had at this project. I brought in fellow filmmaker Mark Cowart as my director of photography along with his crew of assistants and gaffers, editor Ken Conrad, Paul Kerby in Los Angeles to design animations, and Fred Paragono and his staff at Paragon Studios to handle sound design and re-mixing. So in other words, at any time during the day or night someone was probably up working on the documentary to ensure it made the tight deadline.
Vanderbilt wanted a cinematic look that highlighted the high-tech nature of its hospital and research labs. So we decided to shoot with the Canon 5D Mark II and light the scenes with daylight-balanced Kino-Flo Divas. We also brought along a Glidetrack for smooth tracking shots and a doorway dolly for a few conceptual shots. Our goal was to give it the informative feel of a Discovery Channel documentary while capturing carefully-choreographed imagery that would engage the viewer.
After a 12-day shoot schedule and a few days to write the script (along with a few more to get sign-offs from doctors who wanted to make sure I got it right!), we hunkered inside a Franklin, Tn, edit suite for the next two weeks to tackle the edit. Once we had "picture lock" we brought in the very talented Byron Warner to record final narration and Miles Fuqua to compose an outstanding original score. We were putting the final touches on the mix and sound design, literally, up to the last minute -- with tape in hand, I drove across town to FedEx just minutes before its last pick-up in order to get it to Lexington, Ky, for its airing the next day.
When it aired during prime-time in Nashville the following week I was surprised -- and exceedingly grateful -- to learn it won its time slot against network shows that cost millions to produce. Not that I would brag. But I kinda am. It meant we pulled it off, and after watching the credits roll that night I remember laying the remote down and walking upstairs for the best sleep I'd had in over a month. But with plenty of rest behind me I can honestly say I can't wait to do it again!