Last month a whole (air)bus load of
ESPN writers, photographers, editors, and crew took over Houston to produce the One Day, One Game project, basically shrinking down everything the NFL is all about into a single game, the Houston Texans vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. The idea is so big and rare, a group project shot and reported in real time to be published in a single issue (Nov. 28, out now - *just FYI, that's not my cover), that I'm just super proud to have been a part of the experience, along with a bunch of other familiar photo names: DiPace, Finke, Mermelstein, Prior, Seale, Stangel, Suau, Tringali, Welch, and several others all helped along by on-site editing ninjas Stephanie Weed and Nick Galac. There was a team dinner but sadly no commemorative t-shirts.
Everyone had specific assignments and mine was primarily the locker room and equipment director Jay Brunetti the day before and early, early game day. My game day actually ended up in the 15 hr+ range, as post-game I joined Texans OT Eric Winston home to watch football with his friends and family (and newborn baby). But of course I also shot about a dozen other small bits and pieces - production meetings, game plans, day care, refs, half-time coaches, radio interviews, post-game locker room jube, as well as pickup features and game action. It was nuts, we photographers were running around like mad... and it was super exhausting and fucking great. A million thanks to PE stud Jim Surber for getting me involved.
Here are a whole bunch more images, most in diptych, shown in order from Sat. afternoon through to Sunday evening. Oh and the Texans won the game. Lastly, a huge thanks to one of the best PR teams I've ever had the pleasure of working with, led by Kevin Cooper of the Texans. What a huge difference it makes working with true professionals.
Found in the weekend's "Creating" section of The Wall Street Journal, is my record-setting shoot of TV producer/director and no-bullshit foodie Charles Pinsky. Record #1: our location, the kitchen and dining room of the revered Jean Georges restaurant, set a new record as "closest assignment to home" (3 blocks from HQ). Record #2: first time a road bike (not to mention its rider) was put up on top of a table in the Michelin-starred joint. And record #3: earliest time I've gotten my drink on, it doesn't take any much prodding when Philippe Vongerichten suggests you drink a killer glass of pricey Pomerol, while on assignment (7 a.m.)
The story centered on Charlie's new project with the man himself, chef Jean George (out of town, hence his brother standing in), and on Charlie's total disinterest in the pomp of fine dining. Personality-wise Charlie and I are well matched but it would have hardly mattered because he's one cool dude (I credit his background in sports journalism). The only bummer was that Alec Baldwin, eating breakfast in the house that morning, couldn't be tempted into photo-bombing the shoot. One more of Charlie enjoying the fine coffee provided for us.
