Greg aiello nfl

In the world of television, having the chance to produce a totally new kind of show is a rare opportunity. In 2008, the Disney/ABC Television Group was preparing to launch a new network and tapped a handful of its producers to come up with original program ideas. Jeff Aiello, who grew up near Yosemite National Park and was working at the ABC-owned KFSN-TV in Fresno, California, was asked to come up with an outdoor-themed show.

The first two episodes of Motion were produced as 'how-to' shows featuring mountain biking and flat-water kayaking. But after Jeff and Greg shot their third episode in Death Valley National Park, the show's direction began to take a new path -- a path that would require a little more help to explore.

With the Live Well Network in its infancy, destinations for the show remained close to central California to help keep costs down. But in the summer of 2009, the first signs of success began to show, with a steady-stream of viewer emails praising the program, the authentic nature of the host and the stunning photography.

In August of 2009, Motion jumped on the fast-moving train of social media and created a Facebook page for their fans. Facebook gave the show the unique chance to interact directly with the growing fan base, sharing pictures from locations and video teasers of upcoming episodes. This interaction with people that were becoming die-hard viewers led to skyrocketing Facebook fan numbers and to a loyal world-wide group that today calls itself 'The Motion Nation.' Become a fan of Motion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/motionTV.

Motion first launched as a new adventure/travel show on Disney's upstart Live Well Network in 2009. Executive producer Jeff Aiello created the series and found the perfect host in his brother Greg, a long-time mountain guide. David Boomer came on board shortly after production began to help with trip-planning, logistics and filming permits. On location, all three share camera duties.

In 2012, an additional camera-operator was added to the crew, Jon Neely, whose skills in DSLR photography helped tell the stories of the newly added 'Motion guest hikers' to the show. Byron Watkins also joined the team as a fill-in producer to cover for Jeff, who now produces and helps develop new shows for the Live Well Network.

A good amount of planning goes into every shoot but the crew has learned to roll with the punches. Ground logistics and weather are always an issue -- so keeping things loose helps everyone with the fast adjustments sometimes needed in the field to keep the shoot moving.

One the hallmarks of Motion is stunning landscape photography. Being able to capture the beauty of these destinations in a way that makes the viewer feel like they are right there with the crew is an important part of the show.

Quality and size are the two driving factors in what kinds of cameras the crew puts in the field since being able to pack everything on their backs is crucial. David Boomer's assignment on location is to grab 'detail shots' -- the close ups that bring the real 'texture' of a landscape to life. David shoots these shots with the Panasonic GH2. Jeff shoots principle landscapes with the Panasonic AF100 -- a new generation of HD camera known for razor-sharp images.

One of the stand-out techniques in making Motion has been what the crew calls the 'Greg handy-cam shots.' Using a Panasonic GH2, Greg's off-the-cuff comments and impressions of the locations are captured with a unique, personal feel that brings viewers into the scene.

Producing Motion has become more than a job for Jeff, Greg and the crew. The inspiration it brings to fans, the celebration of America's wild places and the opportunity to do some good with a show at a time when hollow reality TV series dominate the airwaves, motivates the team to bring in the best episodes they can every time they're in the field.

Even though there's always a fun aspect to shooting an episode of Motion, there is also a sense of responsibility to the viewers to honor each location with the best photography, storytelling and experience for the guest hikers that come along.

Shooting a show like Motion has taken the crew to amazing destinations all over America. From glaciers in Alaska, to the Canyonlands of Utah and the jungles of Hawaii and while running a smooth shoot is always the plan, there will always be a few bumps in the road.

Celebrating the treasures of America's outdoor destinations and showing them in a way that inspires anyone to get out there for themselves is at the core of every episode of Motion. For executive producer, Jeff Aiello, the connection the show is making with fans is a source of personal inspiration.

With so many breathtaking outdoor locations across America, the trip-list for Motion can seem never ending. Discussions about taking the show to more international destinations have begun after the crew's recent shoot in the British Virgin Islands. But regardless of where their path leads, a new goal is becoming a reality for the team.

There is something incredibly special about being outdoors -- a source of energy for the soul in each of us. America's protected lands and national parks give us all the chance to connect to nature on a personal level in a way that is all our own. For some, car-camping with family close to home answers that call --for others, an isolated climb on a wind-swept ridge is where that magic happens. For the Motion team, it's all about bringing awareness to what's out there so you can discover the beauty of America on the road less-traveled for yourself.

Life is a journey. Where do you want to go next?

For more information:
Greg Aiello Bio
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Motion Show Times