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From previous work with Channel 4 Producer; Peter
Maynard;
the brief from Channel 4 and through Director (Dan Chase) and Producer (Jamie
Davis) was to create four high end stunt action sequences to promote the Film 4
Movie Channel as idents. The first meeting at Channel Four was refreshing in
that both Dan and Jamie and DOP Martin Hill, were open to any ideas from myself.
To be so open to so many possibilities at such a stage is the key to achieving
such quality work. So many Director’s and Producer’s come to the table with
preconceived ideas rather than talk openly with the experts.
Trevor Steedman was the stuntman who performed the fire
falling action into the water.
On the stunt side; the problem we had was that the fire
was rotating around the costume as the fall took place and as the housing for
the photosonics was shot through a mirror underneath the pool and the camera
angle was therefore reflected upwards. After two attempts that were not working;
we also discovered that the costume was lifting up and obscuring some of the
fire. With costume in place, the decision was made between Trevor and myself to
cover him in glue for the shot. Such a decision, although unprecedented in the
stunt world, was based one major safety factor. Normally for such a full fire
stunt; the stunt artist would wear several face masks and or a breathing
apparatus beneath the mask.
Having worked closely together on numerous fire stunt
sequences; Trevor and I made sure that the timing of the lighting and the jump
(through 1st AD Julian Richards) corresponded exactly to the timing
of the blast of light that is required when shooting at such speeds on film.
Once established and aware that the period of fire could be greatly limited;
Trevor agreed to a full fire burn without mask or breathing apparatus (as this
may have been seen in the shot) knowing that, although his head would be totally
engulfed in flame; he would also be out immediately he hit the water and
immediately cooled as opposed to a CO2 out, where the heat still penetrates the
costume after CO2 is deployed. A brave decision by the stuntman.
It was a pity that the footage herein was a shot without
fire. The powers to be at Channel 4 may have felt the shot too much for an
audience, or worried about the possible ramifications of screening such action.
With such innovative photography in place and such a unique piece of action
achieved, this was a shallow decision by Channel 4 and a lost opportunity; but
the Director has one hell of a piece of footage for his showreel.
The Channel 4 logos have been extremely innovative and
ground breaking in their structures; but in this final art format, the logos
actually ruin the footage and had very little thought in respect to the final
screen visual. White was a bad choice and the logo just distracted and confused
your eye from the screen; a bit like sticking some emulsion in the middle of a
JMW Turner.
Pluses; an exciting day with almost 5/6 hours of prep
before we turned over and my thanks to the entire team and Production Manager;
Liz Arnott for creating such and enjoyable and exciting shoot possible.
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- SLOW
MOTION CINEMATOGRAPHY
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