Behind the Scenes

Shot in the middle of the night through sunrise with ten high-definition cameras and mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, this state-of-the-art concert production atop the Masada fortress features breathtaking aerial footage of the surrounding Israeli landscape and the stirring sounds of David Broza, Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin.

Here are some production notes from this historic event...

• 4,000 people traveled to Masada in the middle of the night to hear “King David” (Broza), Jackson Browne, and Shawn Colvin perform.

• Israel was experiencing a heat-wave during the filming, and temperatures during the day reached more than 120 degrees.

• In the days leading up to the taping, 70 to 80 mph wind and sand storms threatened the production. A $40,000 high def camera blew over during the sound check.

• Since high-definition equipment was difficult to obtain in Israel, cameras, lighting, and sound equipment was shipped in from the United Kingdom.

• The 60-person crew was comprised of engineers from Chicago, the UK, Norway and Israel.

• The children’s choir included a collection of very talented 10 and 11 years olds who live in a Israeli/Palestinian village outside Jerusalem founded by David Broza’s grandfather in 1979.

• A state-of-the-art master control unit was built on the base of the mountain. It measured about 9x12 feet.

• Signs spotted in the audience included “We Love WTTW!”