ESPN Commercial for the Masters

Scott Derrick · March 31, 2008, 10:44:26 PM

Hi Everyone,

I've have had a secret that has been killing me to let out but have kept this story top secret until today. I was contacted last week by ESPN in California. They were looking for a "bee handler" to help them get a shot for a commercial that will be aired during "The Masters" golf tournament this weekend. They asked me if I would be interested in helping them. Well it took about a millisecond for me to decide I was a bee handler and could help them get the shot they wanted. I have only been beekeeping for about 3 years and to even consider myself a beekeeper is a stretch much less a "bee handler" qualified to help shoot a commercial for the "Holy Grail of Golf". I was told the shoot was going to be at Augusta National which is "Hallowed Ground" for golf geeks like myself. Unfortunately it was shot at a location just to the west of Augusta National.

He commercial is, from what I gathered, about seeing the world through a macro lens. Not too sure about much else. It will be aired on Saturday I believe. The shot was of bees on dogwood flowers which are common here in SC and GA. The director wanted a shot of a bee in macro either flying to or from a flower. After committing to ESPN for the shoot I decided the best way to attract the bees to a flower was to spray the flower with sugar water with a bit of spearmint and lemongrass oil added to the mix. I worked very well indeed. I kept the bees closed up for about 2 days before the shoot thinking this would help with their desire to feed on the mixture and that seemed to work well too.

The ESPN crew of about 10 people were very nice and I really enjoyed the challange. It took in all about 2 hours to get what we wanted.

The final product was a 4 second shot with a HD macro lens at 1000 frames per second of one of my girls flying from a dogwood tree bloom. Every flap of her wings would be seen. Actually the shot show her backing off of the bloom while flapping her wings and exiting the shot.

It was a awesome experience for me and one that I will remember for years. I was told by the director that it would air on Saturday and that they would send me a copy of the finished product. I'll try to figure out a way to post it.

Hope everyone gets to see it! Let me know if you catch it.

bassman1977 · March 31, 2008, 11:35:24 PM

That is something cool!!!!!!!!! I'll have to remember to watch for that. If nothing else, I look forward to seeing it on here if you can post it Maybe YouTube it. Sounds like an awesome shot.

Scott Derrick · April 01, 2008, 12:33:26 AM

Hey Bassman,

Yep is was really cool. I've never seen a honeybee in HD at 1000 FPS. It is amazing!

indypartridge · April 01, 2008, 05:24:57 AM

So your 15 minutes of fame was cut to 4 seconds? I think that must have been an awesome experience. Almost makes me wish I had a TV!

JP · April 01, 2008, 09:44:01 AM

Hey Dallas, how about giving Scott the tiltle of " Bee Handler" as least for four seconds or so, heehee. Great job Scott!!! Can I get your autograph sometime?

...JP

buzzbee · April 01, 2008, 06:30:26 PM

Get that shot on youtube!!

Stingtarget · April 01, 2008, 11:15:55 PM

Hey Scott,

Too cool. I'll Tivo it so I can Fast Forward and look for it.

By the way, I used to live in Blythewood - Fulmer Road.

Cindi · April 02, 2008, 12:59:27 AM

Scott, oh these little things in life are so important. Feeling important is important and makes us feel good. Yeah!!!! Good for you, you have had that wonderful experience, and as you say, you will remember this for the rest of your life, wonderful!!! Have the best of this beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi

Understudy · April 02, 2008, 10:14:43 AM

You mean they didn't want to do a bee beard on Tiger Woods showing how to deal with the hazards of the course? ;)

Congrads :)

Sincerely,
Brendhan

JP · April 02, 2008, 11:00:13 AM

Quote from: Understudy on April 02, 2008, 10:14:43 AM
You mean they didn't want to do a bee beard on Tiger Woods showing how to deal with the hazards of the course? ;)

Congrads :)

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Yeah, he could of at least babyclipped a queen cage with queen to a pant leg or something! :evil:

...JP

poka-bee · April 02, 2008, 12:33:41 PM

Oh JP, you ARE a bad one!!! It would surely liven up watching golf! :evil: :roll:Jody

JP · April 02, 2008, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: poka-bee on April 02, 2008, 12:33:41 PM
Oh JP, you ARE a bad one!!! It would surely liven up watching golf! :evil: :roll:Jody

:evil: :evil: :evil: :-* :mrgreen:

...JP

Scott Derrick · April 03, 2008, 10:49:27 PM

Quote from: Stingtarget on April 01, 2008, 11:15:55 PM
Hey Scott,

Too cool. I'll Tivo it so I can Fast Forward and look for it.

By the way, I used to live in Blythewood - Fulmer Road.

Hey Sting...too cool. I live off of Loner Rd. How long ago did you you live on Fulmer? I have some hives near Fulmer. All the best!

TwT · April 04, 2008, 06:20:46 AM

Good to hear that Scott, you never know it might kick the "Holly Wood" door in for you, they might make a movie about about bee's and need someone to be able to do the tricks like you proved then, you never know one day I might see you on TV holding a Oscar and say to myself, "I meet that guy before" ;) . Congrats bro, glad to hear that, that's something you will not forget!!!!!!

JP · April 04, 2008, 06:27:01 AM

If the movie, The Curious Case Of Benjamen Buttons ever is released you might see my bee hives, I sold them some set ups two winters ago. My boxes might be famous, lol.

...JP

Scott Derrick · April 09, 2008, 10:33:27 PM

Hi Folks,

Did anyone tape the Par Three competition today on ESPN. Evidently there was a directors cut of the commercial that my bees were in. I don't have ESPN so I didn't get to see it. If anyone has it on TIVO I would appreciate a possible copy if you can. The directors cut ran about 2 mins. I would love to see it. I was also told that it would run throughout the master in various forms this weekend. Hope I get to see it. I'll be doing a cut out on Saturday.... :'(.... :-D

This is what the official at ESPN emailed me today when I inquired:

There will be various versions of what we produced throughout the coverage of The Masters on ESPN. The "Director's Cut" at 2 minutes will air today somewhere at the end of the Par 3 contest and the beginning of the Masters Preview Show.

As soon as I have and exact time I will send it â€¦ but just in case .. Set the TiVo.
Thanks!!