IKEA – ‘Wonderful Everyday’ | Terry Hall

Timeslice GIF for IKEA #wonderfuleveryday Facebook and Instagram campaigns

Friend London, the production company, approached me to build a camera rig capable of shooting timeslice GIFs to capture frozen moments for IKEA’s #wonderfuleveryday social media campaign.

Nimslo 3D

The idea was inspired by a modern interpretation of a Nimslo 3D, an unusual 1980s camera, that created 3D photographs by shooting four simultaneous images. These would then be developed into a lenticular print with a 3D effect. Nowadays you can scan the negatives and create animated GIFs which are engaging and mesmerising to watch.

Instead of using a film in a Nimslo 3D I scaled up the quality by using multiple DSLR cameras to capture the images. I commissioned bespoke software that automatically created GIFs live on set for the client to view. The job was ideal for me as I have shot timeslice before on Alastair Siddon’s ‘Turn It Loose’ film and I also love a technical challenge.

Test #1

My first test was to attempt to digitise the original Nimslo camera, purchased off Ebay, by capturing the image off a ground glass screen mounted to the film plane in the camera. This created some interesting results, but the resolution wasn’t high enough and there were some complicated rigging and vignetting issues that I didn’t have the time to resolve in the timeframe. Another option was to create a digital back for the Nimslo but time, money and practicality were factors that made this a route I didn’t pursue.

Test

The option I settled on was to place four DSLR cameras side by side and rig them so that the main unit camera, an Arri Alexa Mini, could be mounted on the same rig. Testing was very successful and even though I couldn’t place the cameras as close together as I would have liked, it was clear that using professional DSLRs was the right choice. Using smaller cameras would have allowed a closer lens spacing but issues with tethering, synchronising and lens choices were critical.

Bespoke software for instant client feedback

For the software I asked Will Gallia to write a script to tether and control the four rigged cameras. When a series of shots was captured, the software sorted and created the images into moving GIFs and embeded the file names into the GIF. This allowed post production to recreate the animation using the full quality Raw files during the edit.

The final rig was constructed by Daniel Essex using some discreet slimline ‘L’ brackets engineered by Justin Pentecost.

Tests

Behind the scenes

Joe Goddard – ‘Music Is The Answer’ | Shynola

by Dan Lowe | Blog

Joe Goddard – ‘Music Is The Answer’ | Shynola

Shynola’s new video for Joe Goddard featuring Jess Mills

Shynola approached me in October 2016 to help shoot some interesting elements for their new video for Joe Goddard. The challenge was to capture 20 singers including Joe and featured artist Jess Mills from 24 cameras simultaneously which encircled the singers.

Each camera was set up identically in terms of height, focal length, capture settings, distance and then locked off for the day. It is so easy to encapsulate that in one sentence but believe me, the set up was an extremely complicated affair. Sourcing the cameras, lenses, tripods, cards, etc was a challenge that the production team at Black Dog took in their stride and I don’t know how they managed it so efficiently.

We had previously chosen an ideal focal length to shoot the talent based on CG pre-vis that Shynola had put together. This gave us a head start on the set up as we knew the expected radius of our circle and the distance between each camera. Marking the centre of the set with a vertical pole with three markers to assist with framing made the process quite straightforward, but it was still a slow and steady process to go through.

We had a regimented sequence for each take to ensure each camera was recording correctly and to try and assist with the post production clip syncing, but I don’t envy the person that had to do that.

We had time to shoot one test which the Shynola guys rendered a quick test of and then we were off.

I’m pleased with my small role in what has turned out to be a stunning visual and emotive triumph.

Rag’n’Bone Man – ‘Human’ | Charlie Robins

by Dan Lowe | Blog

Rag’n’Bone Man – ‘Human’ | Charlie Robins

360º timeslice for Rag N Bone Man, Human, music video

Director, Charlie Robins, and production company, Forever Pictures, approached me to shoot a 360º timeslice section for the music video for Rag N Bone Man’s track Human.

Timeslice, is a technique made famous by The Matrix film where the subject is shot by multiple DSLR stills cameras in fixed positions. When the frames are combined they create the illiusion that the subject is in suspended animation. I have filmed timeslice previously for the World B Boy championship in Soweto, sponsored by Red Bull, using 70 cameras positioned around the circular dance floor.

For the Rag N Bone Man music video I shot the timeslice with only one handheld camera. This was possible because the director wanted the characters to hold their poses meaning I could step in to predefined camera positions and capture each frame that would make up the 360º animation.

For each character I captured two rotations each with a different focal length and camera height providing the editor with a choice of shots.

The end result was great for the edit, but terrible for my knees and back!