Category: News

Noted movie director Ron Howard recently spoke to Car magazine about the filming of his latest Hollywood project Rush, which focuses on the 1976 Formula One World Championship battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

It’s sure to be an epic movie, not in the least because it will bring Lauda’s horrific accident at the Nürburgring to the silver screen.

Here’s a little of what Howard had to say (follow the source link for more):

“We’ve got guys like Alastair Cauldwell [James Hunt’s chief engineer] helping out and we’re asking them to flag up inaccuracies. But it’s not a literal story, we’re not making a documentary. It takes inspiration from the rivalry. It gives a broad overview of racing in the ’70s, but it’s more than a racing movie.

“It’s a challenge to shoot race scenes but that’s the ying and yang—the attraction and the headache. We’ll be using every contemporary cinematic tool at our disposal to make the audience think they’re actually there. But we’re doing more in the camera—even the SFX people want as much analogue source material to work with as possible.”

We hold high hopes for this movie and hope it will deliver on the promise shown to date. It’s not due for release until next year, though, as filming will continue through the European summer. So we’ll have a while to wait.

[Source: Car]

With their telecast of the 2012 Australian Grand Prix about to get underway the question over who Channel 10 will source their commentary feed from has been answered. In a recent tweet Channel 10 commentator Greg Rust confirmed: “2 all the F1 followers tks 4 ur patience. Yes @tensporttv will be taking the @SkySportsF1 commentary for the 2012 F1 season.”

Questions were raised following the shock move by the BBC to step back from their F1 coverage, forging a new deal allowing British pay TV network Sky Sports to step in and fill the void. It’s a move hoped to save BBC some cash in the face of increasing budget concerns. The Beeb will still offer free-to-air limited coverage for UK viewers with around half the season to be shown live, while the remaining races will be a highlights package.

Australian viewers can rest easy in the knowledge that Channel 10, via their HD channel One, will continue to show all qualifying sessions and races live throughout the 2012 F1 season.

A juicy cheque, rumoured to be in the seven-figure price bracket, has lured Martin Brundle from the BBC to Sky and he will head their commentary team. For more info on their F1 coverage check out the Sky Sports F1 website, which may prove to be a good source of info throughout the year.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

Bernie Ecclestone has just put pen to paper to ink a new deal with Tata Communications. The agreement will see Tata Communications carry impressive titles on behalf of Formula One Management: Technology Supplier of Formula 1â„¢ with category exclusive rights as Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1â„¢ and Official Web Hosting and Content Delivery Network of Formula1.com.

Vinod Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Communications, pictured above with Ecclestone said, “Formula 1 requires fast and secure connectivity, because even a split second of downtime can have huge repercussions for its business, brand and reputation.

“This delivery is at the heart of our organisation and working with one of the world’s most highly technical and innovative organisations is an exciting opportunity for Tata Communications. The collaboration leverages our technology leadership and vision for emerging markets and represents a tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation for both companies.”

The Tata Global Network of underground cables is the largest in the world and access to that network for F1 opens up seemingly limitless opportunities for both traditional television and online coverage.

James Allen has excitedly described the arrangement as “The deal that changes F1 forever.” In his blog Allen states, “This long-term deal with Tata Communications, providing fixed line connectivity, opens the door for endless possibilities, way beyond what satellites can do, including broadcasting F1 on the internet, for interactivity between audience and the broadcaster at the circuit.”

In practical terms we can soon expect F1 races, qualifying and practice sessions to be officially broadcast over the internet. It clearly represents a new revenue stream for the sport that, perhaps, it should already be a world leader in.

How much will you be prepared to pay?

[Source: Formula1.com]