Old on set "Prius" pix

Here is a blast from the past! Well, not too long ago. I had the pleasure last year to work with director Michael Moretti & DP  Graham Futerfas on a spot for Prius & Satchi & Satchi with Group 101.

Using the Phantom HD, we shot images of the Prius moving backwards while at the same time garbage being spilt into the world. Played in reverse, as the Prius passed the frame while the garbage cleaned up. The idea was that Prius helped reduce the garbage in the air. 
It was a two day shoot downtown over the weekend & the final product looks pretty damn spiffy. I found myself still learning the set lingo of the Americans (I find myself learning set lingo every day! LOL) While also having the chance to pull focus on a very high speed camera. 

The Phantom HD was slow to start up. There is no option to "quick- grab that shot" and power up and shoot. Like so many HD cameras, she needs to wake up and have a coffee before she can start thinking. Once you get into the rhythm of the Phantom HD, all is fine. The Phantom HD shoots up to 1000fps. Yes! 1000 fps. Need I say that action shots shown in slow motion for the most part look hot! Life truly does look beautiful when you have the chance to slow it down and have a closer look. With that said, our DIT Mark Weingartner (who was awesome to work with, I certainly learnt a lot from him) had to dispose of the copious amounts of information that we had on either side of the useful part of the footage from the clip. Shooting at 1000 fps and playing back in 24 frames.... you quickly learn what you really need to hang onto and what you don't. 

Overall another great experience on set. As usual, I always find room for improvement within myself as a focus puller, pulling on such a high speed on one of the shots proved to be a learning experience 1'-4' may not seem much, but in the blink of an eye shot at 500 frames... its plenty to draw every ounce of concentration in your system. With that said... soft in this case sux.

Watch the clip at www.group101spots.com/2008/directors/michael_moretti/michael_moretti.htm#

Click on "Prius" just a note, I also assisted on "Chevy" as 2nd AC