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Icy reality path
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Ice Road Truckers takes you on some of the planet’s iciest roads and diciest situations
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SLIPPERY ROAD Ice truckers lead a precarious life
Dolores Gavin, executive producer of the reality show Ice Road Truckers on History Channel has produced a range of reality shows — “UFO Hunters”, “Cities of the Underworld” and “Stalin’s Secret Bases”.
She talks about the experience of this show, which reveals the virtually unknown occupation of ice road trucking in trying conditions, and the risks involved in such shows.
What is the experience of producing a reality show series in trying circumstances?
The word ‘reality’ cannot describe this series. We are documenting history in the making. Narrating stories of these brave men working in one of the final frontiers has been a wonderful experience, and we would not trade it for anything else. The challenges of capturing a remote area is a rewarding experience, both for the crew and viewers. It is exploring a world the viewers could have never seen.
Most of the shows you have undertaken has involved a great deal of risk, research and realism. How have you managed to face up to the challenge of showing the viewer reality?
We have been able to provide a unique approach to storytelling that is steeped in history.From the history of the ice road to the aboriginal inhabitants of the region, our audience loves to see how things were done then compared to now.
Has the production team of Ice Truck Breakers been involved in any serious accidents or mishaps?
Safety of the crew members and the truckers remains top priority for the network. Fortunately, no one has been injured this season. The team is well prepared for shooting in sub-zero temperatures. They are equipped with the skills necessary to work in extreme conditions.
Many of your shows have mainly dealt with real events. Has shooting a reality show been more difficult than managing archival footage?
Whenever we begin work on a documentary, the first question we ask is, ‘How do we tell a great story?’ Sometimes, archival footage is the best way to do it. In some cases, filming actual situations is the best way. They are all tools that we use.
Do you feel TV production has seen a massive change over the past few years?
There is more competition than ever. The production for “Ice Road Truckers” is groundbreaking; a large production crew has never conducted shoots for long periods in such extreme temperatures.
Has the advent of better technology helped produce such reality television shows?
Camera technology has improved drastically in the last few years. Cameras do take a beating in sub zero temperatures. We would not have been able to produce this show a few years ago.
Ice Road Truckers is aired on History Channel on Thursdays at 10 p.m.
NIKHIL VARMA
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