GMV's OLYMPIA CAMERA TEAM HISTORY - Part 2: From 2017 onwards.

(GMV Team History Part 1 - See our GMV's History at the Olympia from 1971, & our Camera Team in USA from 1999 to 2016.) .

2017 Olympia
Team of 2 - Wayne Gallasch and Phil Carman as cameramen.
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: I would like to thank Tina Gallasch for her 8 years of dedicated service on the GMV Camera Team. The years were - 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Her work included camerawork, interviews, photography and running the GMV Booth at the Expo. 

Due to filming the new event the NPC Amateur Olympia on the Thursday, we were not able to do our usual interviews at “Meet the Olympians”.
Our GMV team of 2 is pictured below: L to R - Wayne and Phil.
Wayne's camera feed went to the big iMag screens on either side of the Show Room stage, and the Expo stage on Friday and Saturday.

Historical Notes:
We had the pleasure of filming the first ever Las Vegas NPC Amateur Olympia competition for men and women. I did interviews with John Corlett and Phil Carman for my 50 Years doco.
Extra Note: It was GMV’s privilege to be the official video team, camera and production crew, for the inaugural and much anticipated 2017 NPC Amateur Olympia Las Vegas contest.
Had a poolside shoot at the Orleans with USA’s Aaron Reed, said to be the world’s tallest top-competitor male bodybuilder. He is 6'7" (200.5cm).
This was the last Olympia using our much loved JVC HD video camera purchased in 2015. (Pictured below). Time to upgrade the technology ready for 2018.
Phil used our ever reliable Canon HD video camera for the closeup stage work.

I visited long-time former team member Dr Dick Rossan for a final time at his Las Vegas home. He passed away March 19th, 2018. He was 6 weeks short of his 90th birthday. He will be greatly missed.
You can see our team photo including Dick in his final year with GMV, at the 2011 Olympia. (Click on the link to GMV Olympia History Part 1, and then scroll down.)
All photos (c) Wayne Gallasch and GMV Productions. 2017 Photos below.



2018 Olympia
Team of 2 - Wayne Gallasch cameraman and Gennaro Ferra as my hard working photographer and assistant. This was my first ever all Aussie team, and my 20th year doing the Olympia, 1999 to 2018.

Again in part due to filming the second year of the two-day NPC Amateur Olympia on Wednesday and Thursday, we were not able to attend the “Meet the Olympians”. Plus my usual interviewer and second cameraman Phil Carman was absent this year due to illness.

Our GMV team of 2 is pictured below: R to L - Wayne and Gennaro. Gennaro is a former Mr. Australia now living in NYC and working as a personal trainer.

My camera feed went to the big iMag screens on either side of the Show Room stage for the Amateur Olympia, and the Expo stage on Friday and Saturday.

Historical Notes:
I had a poolside shoot at the Orleans with the Overall Winner of the Amateur Olympia Women's Physique, Lina Varela of Colombia. Now a new Professional, she is based in the Dominican Republic.

Camera Gear:
This was the first Olympia using my brand new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast video camera. Time to upgrade to the latest 4K technology.
In the Pump Room and backstage interviews I used my ever reliable Canon HD video camera, and also the Olympus E-M1 Mark II, shooting in 4K.

My Interviews:
Dan Solomon, Mr O Athletes’ Meeting – Wednesday September 12th 
Shawn Ray, backstage Orleans Arena – Saturday September 15th
Ed Connors, Orleans Hotel – Sunday September 16th

All photos (c) Wayne Gallasch and GMV Productions. 2018 Photos below.
Thw 2 contest photos courtesy Jason Breeze.

At the Expo stage during set-up.

Classic Physique Prejudging at the Expo stage.

Figure Class Prejudging at the Expo stage.

Setting up for the Amateur Olympia on the Showroom stage.

With John Balik - Publisher Emeritus at Iron Man Magazine.

With Sergio Oliva Jr in the Pump Room.

2019 Olympia.
Las Vegas, Nevada   September 10th to 15th.
The GMV Camera Team was back to 3 guys again this year. Wayne Gallasch and Phil Carman as cameramen, and David Wellings as photographer and assistant cameraman. This was my first ever fellow South Australian on my Olympia team. Welcome David, and welcome back Phil who was away last year.

Once again we were busy in the Showroom filming the NPC Amateur Olympia on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night it was Phil and I at Meet the Olympians.for several interviews.

Our GMV team of 3 is pictured below: L to R - Phil, Wayne and David at our camera platform for the Expo stage.
My camera feed went to the big iMag screens on either side of the Show Room stage for the Amateur Olympia, and for a first time our two camera feeds went to the big screens at the Expo stage on Friday and Saturday.

Historical Note:
This was the first Olympia under Dan Solomon, new Chief Olympia Officer at American Media, Inc. at Mr. Olympia LLC. It was the best run Olympia that I have so far taken part in.

Camera Gear:
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast was my main video camera. Phil was on the Canon HD 2nd video camera, and I also used the Olympus E-M1 Mark II, shooting in 4K for interviews and the Pump Room.

Interviews:
2019 Olympia Interviews by Phil Carman were on Thursday September 12th.
They were Angelica Teixeira and Andre Ferguson.

Photo Shoots:
Dave Wellings had Sunday photo shoots with Maureen Blanquisco and Marcia Goncalves.

Photos below by Dave, Phil and Wayne. (The 6th photo below shows our early equipment setup for the Expo stage, 2 hours before the start. The Expo stage seating was packed out on both days.)
Thanks to Jason Breeze for his extra contest photos of the Pro Classes.
Thanks to Martin Carrillo for technical support.
Thanks to Andy Olson for storing some of my video gear.

2019 Olympia Reports, Results & Photo Galleries:
Complete Pro Results.
Pro Men’s Gallery.
212 Men’s Gallery.
Pro Women’s Gallery.

2019 NPC Worldwide Amateur Olympia Report.
Complete Amateur Olympia Results.
Amateur Men’s Gallery.
Amateur Women’s Gallery.

Joe Weider's 2020 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend,

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2020 & 2021 Olympias.
Wayne and David were sadly unable to travel to these 2 Olympias due to Australia's strict international travel rules during the Covid period.

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2022 Olympia.
Las Vegas, Nevada   December 12th to 18th, 2022.

The GMV Camera Team was back again in Las Vegas this year for our welcome return after a 2 years' Covid break. It was a team of 2 with Wayne Gallasch as the cameramen, and David Wellings as assistant cameraman and photographer.

Being all new venues, we checked out our camera position and cables and then had very long days starting at 8AM recording the Amateur Olympia in the Planet Hollywood Criss Angel Theatre.
That was on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 13th and 14th. Our recorded SD cards were passed straight to the 4 editors every 15 minutes or so for the whole event, amateur and professional. All shooting was done front and centre from the Photographers' Row in the Press Pit at both venues.

The Professional events were held partly at the Venetian Expo & Convention Center (Halls B & C) and the nigh show events, some Prejudging and Finals, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (Zappos Theatre). This was on Friday and Saturday, December 16th and 17th.
Pro Prejudging commenced each day at 9AM at the Venetian Expo stage.

Camera Gear:
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 was my video camera with a Canon 70-200 F2.8 lens. There was no time this year to shoot any interviews.

Photos below by David and Wayne.
Thanks to Jason Breeze for his extra contest photos of the Pro Classes.
Thanks to Martin Carrillo & Niko for technical support.

2022 Olympia Contest Results:
Pro Men - https://gmvbodybuilding.com/2022-olympia-results/?v=6cc98ba2045f

Pro Women - https://gmvbodybuilding.com/2022-olympia-results-women/?v=6cc98ba2045f














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2023 Olympia.
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.  
Tuesday October 31st to Saturday November 4th, 2023.

The GMV Camera Team was for the first time in Orlando, Florida. It was a team of 2 with Wayne Gallasch as the cameramen, and Phil Carman as assistant cameraman and photographer. Phil joined me for the Pro Classes of competition.

Being all new venues, I checked out our camera position and cables, first at the Chapin Theatre in the OCCC, and then at the Expo stage for the Pro prejudging.

They were very long days, setting up the camera at 6:45AM ready for the Amateur contest starting at 8AM. The Amateur Olympia was held in the beautiful Chapin Theatre. That was on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Professional Prejudging was held at the Expo Stage in the OCCC - West Halls A & B. The night Finals were held in the OCCC - West Hall A.
This was on Friday and Saturday, November 3rd and 4th.
Pro Prejudging commenced each day at 9AM.

Camera Gear:
The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 was my video camera.

Photos:
Photos below by Phil and Wayne, and Miss Kylee at the Amateur Olympia.
Thanks to Jason Breeze for his contest photos of the Pro Classes.
Thanks to Martin Carrillo, Niko & Scott for technical support.

The Main 2023 Olympia Team was as follows:
Jake Wood - Olympia Owner
Dan Solomon - Olympia President
Martin Carrillo - Technical Director.
MC - Bob Cicherillo
Head Judges - Steve Weinberger & Sandy Williamson

PPV Team:
Director of Video - Niko P., Redmoon Productions LLC
PPV Commentary Team Leader - Tim Wilkins - Amateur Olympia MC and all Pro Classes

Other specialist commentators:
Phil Heath- Open of both nights, 212, Physique, Classic and Open
Shawn Ray- The open of both nights
Flex Wheeler - Classic
Chris Cormier - 212
Lenda Murray- Women’s Bodybuilding, Women's Physique
Mindi O’Brien- Figure and Fitness
Camille Periat- Bikini, Wellness
Robyn Maher - Bikini
Isabelle Turell- Interviews

The 2023 PPV Olympia Premium Package includes the main event as well as the Amateur Olympia and extras. You can order the package here: https://www.olympiaproductions.com/

The first Mr. Olympia was held on Sept. 18, 1965 in NYC, and in 2024 in Las Vegas we celebrate the 60th Mr. Olympia contest.
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2023 Olympia Contest - Pro Results:
The Men: https://gmvbodybuilding.com/2023-mr-olympia-results/?v=6cc98ba2045f

The Women: https://gmvbodybuilding.com/2023-olympia-results-women/?v=6cc98ba2045f

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