NH Film Industry Location Spotlight

As part of a new program to showcase unique filming locations around the state, the New Hampshire Film & Television Office held its first quarterly Location Spotlight event at the Team O'Neil Rally School and Car Control Center in Dalton on Friday, July 29, 2011.

Thanks to Matt Newton from the NH Film & Television Office, and to Team O'Neil Rally School for putting together this unique, and exciting opportunity. About ten of us met at the Dalton, NH location and after get-to-know-ya intros and Dunkin' Donuts coffee we sat down to hear Ty Ledger of Kettlebottom Productions.

Ty gave us an overview of his work on several outdoor TV projects and extreme sports shoots. He also gave a us a look at the gear they use including the GoPro compact HD camera system. After Ty's talk we headed out to drive the rally cars!

We were led out to the skid pad and into our cabin classroom. After a brief safety talk, lesson overview, helmet fitting and waiver signing, we piled into the Ford Fiesta Rally Cars (with an instructor) and we were off!

Our instructors gave us lessons in left-foot braking and accident avoidance, each lesson ending with us getting behind the wheel for a practical application! While our driving skills were tested owner Tim O'Neil was giving driving tours of his facility and property. Tim has over 500 acres of land including mountains, streams and snowmobile trails, miles & miles of dirts roads, as well as the Ford Fiestas and off-road vehicles available for training and driving.

Bottom line? Everyone had a great time, the rally school experience is worth paying for, Tim is a gracious host who is willing to do whatever he can to accommodate the film and TV industry. If I come across a project that could use the Team O'Neil school you bet I'll do what I can to get 'em. Besides, I need an excuse to go back and drive!

Here's a short video of our day...