Film Strategy for the Equity Estates Project
A quick cheat sheet for some of our possible approaches for filming and some estimates on their costs. The approaches are Moscato, Rosé and Champagne 😉 ...each incrementally larger in scale and cost and each based on a one 10hour day shoot with two travel days. In theory, we would fly into the location on day 1, shoot all day on day 2, then fly home on day 3.
Moscato
This is the most cost effective approach. Two person crew, consisting of DP/A-Cam Op/Photographer (Dom) and BCam-Op/Drone Pilot (Giancarlo). We'd use a Sony FX9 for handheld/tripod shots and one FX3 which can be used for either still photography or gimbal work, this would save money but spend time, going from photography mode to gimbal mode would take time for balancing and calibrating. We'd also bring a Mavic Cine 3 Pro for classic cinematic aerials primarily outside (occasionally large-enough interiors are safe for this drone type). The Sony FX3/Gimbal is really well suited for kinetic, interior shots with lots of movement, thus possibly relieving some of the need for the FPV interior drone work, Id love to know your thoughts?
Rosé
This is a "small but mighty" approach and my favorite, its a 2-person crew, DP/A-Cam Op/Photographer (Dom) and BCam-Op/Drone Pilot (Giancarlo). We would film with a combination of the Sony FX9 and two Sony FX3 cameras; one FX3 for shooting stills and the other FX3 with Gimbal Stabilizer for filming video. Having two of these bodies saves time by not having to assemble/remove the camera with the gimbal. We'd bring a Mavic Cine 3 Pro for classic cinematic aerials and we'd also pack a collection of FPV drones. The Mavic is a bit more robust and perfect for huge exterior aerial vistas, things like beautiful properties and gorgeous landscapes, whereas the FPV bodies are super lightweight and made perfectly for energetic shots flying through multiple interior spaces, zooming from one room to the next. The Sony FX3/Gimbal is used strategically for sweeping shots that can both convey the size and depth of rooms yet still feel intimate enough to tell a story. The FX9 would be the hero camera for great moments that feature slightly closer/tighter shots, or details, like the smiling faces of family members or a beautiful view through a rustic window frame.
Champagne
This is the digital film camera approach, this system uses large cameras with cinema lenses, these are the kinds of packages movie are shot on. The images are more faithful to how our human eye perceives the world, the rendition of color is more accurate and the tolerance of lighting contrast is greater. These cameras of course require a bit more support and are more complex, likely slowing us down a bit. The camera bodies are also larger and heavier. This set up would want a four person crew, Dom and Gian as before, but also a dedicated camera assistant and a PA, both of which could possibly be locals to wherever we are filming (thoughts?) as to save on travel and accommodations. Instead of the FX9 we would shoot A Cam with the Arri Alexa 35, and instead of the FX3 on a gimbal we'd use the Red Komodo. The still-photo camera would remain an FX3 and Giancarlo would still be bringing his Mavic for exteriors and FPV bodies for the fly through interiors.
Additional thoughts and things:
The per day cost of travel for Gian or myself is 500 each, however we will be flying with a lot of gear cases, that cost can add up. I am partnered with a production company in Boyton Beach, FL called
ASK Media Productions, the owner is a lifelong friend of mine, through them we can offer a shipping service thats usually cost effective, food for thought. Maybe shipping the gear separate from us is cheaper than flying with it.
Giancarlos website and drone demo reel: