shooting an implosion

[Ian Sharar]

Hey all. I've been working with the Red for a few months now, I really like it, filming all i can, short films and what not. But I just got hired to be a red operator for a demolition, and since I only have one shot at this, I don't want to mess it up.

Is there anything I should be careful for or have my settings on to shoot this sort of thing? I've never done it, haha. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Ian Sharar.

[Sean R.]

Well the most obvious- solid state recording only. Spinning hard drives + explosives = not so good

[Ian Laurie]

no spinning drives and maybe a clear filter over the lens and a bag of some sort over the body for dust...

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Don't forget popcorn! :emote_popcorn:

[Noah Kadner]

Rent a Phantom HD camera. RED's great but it's not a 1000fps camera...

Noah

[Ian Sharar]

Rent a Phantom HD camera. RED's great but it's not a 1000fps camera...

Noah

haha, I might if it was my decision. but some film company bought the rights to shoot this and they're bringing down 3 reds, I dont even have to use mine.

Thanks for the tips! this should be an experience. any other tips are much appreciated.

Ian Sharar

[Jeremiah Warren]

The company you are filming for, is it AMP? I know they will have 4 REDS and 3 EX3s filming the event.

I'm going to be down there filming, but not with a RED. One of the other members here was going to film with his RED, just to get the footage, but he ended up having to drop out.

[Jeremiah Warren]

I did a shoot that had a RED on it for an explosion (wasn't a building). Only tips I can think of is what Ian said about not using a spinning HDD, and the filter over the lens.

Will you be filming in the area that everyone else is watching the implosion at? What frame rate are you shooting?

Jeremiah

[Eren Ozkural]

And the winner for the coolest thread title goes to...

[Elsie N]

If this is the Texas Stadium implosion next Sunday at 7 a.m. central time, I saw on TV that they are going to hang curtains to hold down the dust etc. I think it will be brought down in less than a minute if I remember correctly, so CF cards should be all good for the actual event.

[Michael Brennan]

A Big subject!
My favorite shot...http://www.ultramo.com/page5/page16/page16.html
Consider dust wind direction

The curtains are usually designed to stop fragments, there is no stopping the dust.

+500 fps is handy.
Go Wide and close
Try and get camera position inside the dust cloud (which billows out for a second or so as clean air is expelled as structure collapses.. depends on layout)

Trust the demo guys as to where debris will land.
If you have a camera inside Consider brightening up interiors, before they start laying explosives.

Very hard to get good access unless you are trusted.
Consider 1/2 dozen gopros at 720 60p.
If you get more cameras then risky angles will have 1:3 chance of success due to randomness of chaos, so if director wants something fancy use three cameras to get it.
DIY Polycarbonate filters (not perspex) for the lenses if they are in the blast zone.

Have a through understanding of the mechanics involved. This only comes from long chats with the demo guys. Flying rigs, roof rigs pull out of the way rigs add spice but need lots of planning.

Remotely operating cameras from outside the exclusion zone is a key requirement if you want dynamic crap blasting past camera. Rolling remotely or having 45 min endurance is second option.

Build a steel enclosure to protect the camera from crap.

Earplugs face mask goggles if you are close and down wind (not advisable!)
Change of clothes or overalls or you will contaminate your vehicle camera cases ect.

Outside the building the impact of the Shock wave of the debris hitting the ground will be same as a truck passing nearby.
Quite low shockwaves inside the building as if they get it right most of the energy is absorbed by the structure.(Ive had a blond continue working inside a silo demolition,it was 8 feet from one of the pillars that was detonated)
A tough environment to do good work.
Have a rain plan to protect remote cameras (plastic bag on very very long string works!)



Mike Brennan







Mike Brennan

[Jeremiah Warren]

Yes, it will be under a minute. There is going to be a fireworks show after the implosion. Not sure how well that will show up though, seeing that it will be sunrise by then.

[Jeremiah Warren]

It was a really enjoyable experience, aside from the disgustingly loud music they piped out. The implosion was somewhat slow, so the 300fps I filmed at was an overkill, but 60p was fine. Not sure how 120fps would have looked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HlebOOZQuQ