NASCAR 75th Anniversary – FOX Sports Broadcast Film

One of my favorite projects of all time, this short film was created for FOX Sports to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of NASCAR. Produced by BREE DOEHRING and directed by Chris Pizzi, the film reenacts the very first NASCAR meeting where the name was chosen and the rules of the sport were formed.

The film premiered during the 2023 Daytona 500 broadcast on FOX Sports, making it a career milestone as both a cinematographer and lifelong NASCAR fan.

Cinematography Approach

I shot the project on the Sony Venice with Panavision E Series anamorphic lenses, which were the exact lenses used on the classic NASCAR movie Days of Thunder, down to the serial numbers. Their vintage anamorphic character provided beautiful bokeh, crisp detail, and a nostalgic texture that elevated the historical reenactment.

The set was built in Los Angeles to precisely replicate the room where NASCAR was founded. Every detail, from the furniture to the props, was chosen for authenticity. I even contributed several of my own vintage die-cast NASCAR models to add personal touches of historical accuracy.

Coverage and Camera Movement

To handle a large ensemble cast seated around the table, I used a Technocrane which gave me freedom to move fluidly across multiple characters, sweep over the table, and create overhead shots while keeping the pace efficient. The crane also allowed us to stage high angle exteriors and dynamic moves that expanded the cinematic scope of the film.

Actors and Performances

The film featured an ensemble of talented actors including David Koechner, whose performance anchored the story with both humor and gravitas. The cast brought life to a pivotal moment in sports history, reimagining what it might have been like to be in the room when NASCAR was first created.

Personal Significance

As a devoted NASCAR fan, this was a dream project. To lens the reenactment of NASCAR’s founding meeting, using the very same lenses that shot Days of Thunder, and to see it premiere during the Daytona 500 broadcast, was a highlight of my career that combined personal passion with professional achievement.

Credits

Client NASCAR / FOX Sports

PRODUCTION COMPANY PIZZI BROS.

DIRECTOR CHRIS PIZZI

PRODUCER BREE DOEHRING

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL GAUTHIER

PRODUCTION DESIGNER TOM CASTRONOVO

COSTUMES ABIGAIL KEEVER

HAIR & MAKEUP KELLY STARK

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LIZZY WALKER

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LYNDSI AUSTIN

1ST AC BEN SMITH

2ND AC STEVE NEEL

GAFFER TONY JOU

KEY GRIP NICK LUNDSTROM

COLOR JACOB MCKEE FORAGER

SOUND MATT YOCUM

COMPOSER MIKE CIONNI

CAMERA & LENSES PANAVISION JIM ROUDEBUSH

TECHNOCRANE ELITE CAMERA SUPPORT