"Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael ASC GSC recently deployed dual Codex Action Cam point, shoot and record packages on a TV branding film for the new Infiniti QX50 luxury compact SUV. Using the Codex Action Cams to shoot handheld location and road footage himself, Papamichael says he discovered new-found freedoms and creative cinematographic possibilities, and that the Action Cam imagery intercut perfectly with the 4K footage from the principal cameras on the production. Papamichael, who is best known for big-screen cinematography on movies including The Descendants, The Ides Of March, The Monuments Men and Nebraska, which brought him an Oscar nomination in 2014, often shoots and directs commercials, where he tries out the very latest gear.
In the film, Chinese superstars, Archie Kao and Zhou Xun, portray a couple who break the rules during a typical car shoot, and get a taste of freedom in the new SUV. Chased by paparazzi on motorcycles, they abscond across LA into the high desert and across Malibu beach, shooting movies on their mobile phones.
The film was directed by Jaume Collet-Sera, through Bullitt. The toolkit, mainly provided by CamTec in Burbank, included two RED Dragon cameras, a drone mounted with a Panasonic Lumix
GH4, an Edge vehicle and crane, three Canon 6Ds shooting time-lapse footage, plus two Codex Action Cams.
We initially added the Codex Action Cams to our camera package for travelling car logo/badge shots and other moving details,” said first AC Jeff Porter. “But when Phedon and Jaume saw that you can literally hold the Action Cam head in the palm of your hand, they wanted to play. They saw an opportunity to shoot unscripted, spontaneous moments with the actors driving in the Infiniti SUV.”