I love this guy's work. Anyone who doesn't think these cameras have a huge role to play in future image acquisition is just nuts. To be able to tell a story like this in such a high quality way with such low impact tools is really incredible.
And as the market is now driving the manufacturers, the technology is only going to get better.
I'm so happy this film got the accolades it deserves. It really is exquisite and uncompromising independent filmmaking. It also might be the first movie shot on Super 16 to win Best Picture. Anyone know? I can't think of any other.
The fact that this low budget film shot on old school Super 16mm using Aaton cameras went up against the mighty, state of the art Avatar and blew it away in all categories is a testament to its rock solid storytelling and pertinent message. The irony is even deeper when you factor in these two filmmakers were once married to each other. What are the odds?
I think Super 16 was the right medium for the story and Barry Ackroyd, BSC's work was first rate. It had a bit of a raw edge to it that was appropriate and also there were some very intimate angles that were the work of the A-Minima. That little camera is incredible. The mags are a bitch to load but you can put it on a book case or in a cupboard and get shots that you just can't get with other cameras. I really miss working with 16 so if any producer happens to be reading this and has a film shoot coming up, please keep me in mind ;)
The Hurt Locker: Technical Specs (from ASC, July 2009)
Super 16mm and HD Video
Super 16mm: Aaton XTR-Prod, A-Minima
HD: Phantom HD
Canon Lenses
Fuji Eterna 250D 8663, 500T 8673
Digital Intermediate
Printed on Kodak Vision 2383
Under the influence of my current time lapse obsession, I found this little gem:
Video won't embed so click the image to go to the page.
In this BBC Video, the Cordyceps fungus infects the brain of the hapless ant, driving it mad. It soon dies and the fungus then continues to grow in the dead ant's cranium, eventually breaking free and releasing spores that will infect any poor ant that happens to be in its vicinity. The cycle beings anew.
Being a lifelong science fiction fan, I can only imagine a similar fungus infecting humans ;) Let's make the movie.
Around the middle of this video, there is an incredible time lapse of the fungus in action. Please, someone hire me to shoot your nature documentary.
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