Farm brought us on to do shots in Los Angeles and Germany for über audio company Harman International. Play the 1-minute video above to watch some silent clips from our shoot.

Harman International Corporate Film

We Did It: Harman Shoot

BCP Client: Harman International

BCP Client: Farm

Harman International Corporate Rip Team

George Spyros, Executive Producer & Director

Christopher Gallo, Director of Photography

Knut Adass, Director of Photography

Phil Guye, Gaffer

Martin Bourgund, Gaffer

Sebastian Hoppe Fuentes, Assistant Camera

Armin Karahasanovic, Assistant Camera

Kevin Skaggs, Grip

Birgit Adolf, Grip

Michaela McKee, Production Coordinator

Alexander Brönner, Production Manager

Harman International Corporate Rip Gear

Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera

Tokina 11-16 f2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Lens

Nikon 28mm f2.8 Lens

Nikon 50mm f1.4 Lens

Nikon 105mm f1.8 Lens

Zeiss ZE SLR Planar 50mm Lens T1.4

Zeiss ZE SLR Planar 85mm Lens T1.4

Canon EF 135mm f/2L II USM Telephoto Lens

Microdolly Hollywood

Arri Compact HMI 2500 Watt Fresnel Flicker Free

Arri Compact HMI 575 Watt Fresnel Flicker Free

Arri Compact HMI 200 Watt Fresnel Flicker Free

Marshall V-LCD651ST-HDA 6.5" LCD Field Monitor

Samson H4 Handy Recorder

Pluraleyes Audio Sync Software for Multicam

Lectro UM200c Wireless Receiver & Transmitter

Tram TR50 Lavalier Microphone

Final Cut Pro Non-Linear Editing System

Chevron employee being interviewed by George Spyros with DP Rob Featherstone monitoring the recording.

DP Rob Featherstone breaks down the shoot…

For our recent Big City Pictures shoot we were presented with a little challenge. The assignment was simply to shoot several “screen test” interviews of potential representatives who would appear on screen on behalf of Chevron. However, we simply felt that setting the subject against the standard out of focus plant or blurry window would do neither the subject nor our film making interests any justice. For example, this shot on the right which someone did for another Chevron project in the very same room with the subject in front of the window.

On the day of the scout we looked at several locations on the corporate campus. We were met once more with the disparity between what seems like a great location to shoot an interview and the reality of the demands of video shooting; namely the depth and breadth of the location that is required for interesting composition and lighting.

Today’s conference room has an enormous table that is hard wired for communications and cannot be moved. In addition, these particular conference rooms had windows but the windows had seams in them so they did not provide an unobstructed view of the outside. While these affects are perfect for a conference they are an obstruction to composing a frame for an interview.

So wondering what to do we noticed there was one wall that was translucent in nature and took on an unusual appearance when we put lights upon it. We determined that shooting into this glass wall would provide a more compelling backdrop than either the potted plant option or the outside view.

The frosted, glass wall from the outside looking in.

As the final project is to be projected on an enormous screen, we wanted high definition video. George loves slow motion so also wanted a camera that could shoot at variable frame rates. The camera that met our demands and was available was the Panasonic HPX 500. We also wanted to work with selective focus so the standard zoom onto the 2/3 inch chip was out of the question. We added the PS Technik Pro 35 adapter and a set of Arri ultra primes to the order. We rented this equipment from Chater Camera in Berkeley, California.

Here’s the 85mm Arri Zeiss Ultra Prime:

And this is the 135mm Arri Zeiss Ultra Prime:

Achieving the look of the background proved a little tricky as the key light was highlighting the seals between pieces of glass in the wall creating two, bright white vertical lines on either side of the subject’s head. We needed to blend the values of the background and key so that they would match and blow out into white. Also, we needed to carefully position the camera and set our stop to create just the right amount of shallow depth of field so that the vertical lines would disappear into blur.
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Our lighting package consisted of small hmi’s that can be plugged into house power and a couple of kino flos. We left the lights and camera day light balanced as there was a fair amount of ambient light (especially with regards to the translucent wall).

The key light was a joker bug 800 with a medium chimera with 2 layers of diffusion and an egg crate. We supplemented this with a 2 foot four bank kino flo from below the lens. For fill we used a 4 x 4 bead board and the back edge was a 4 foot four bank kino flo.

To create the effect on the back ground wall our gaffer, Darrel Flowers did an amazing job of finding the prefect spot for the Arri 1200 watt par plus and cutting the light down to just the right shape.

The Joker Bug 800 on the opposite side of the conference table.

Key Grip Jimmy Stewart rigs the showcard gag.

Camera Tech & Sound Jay Farrington sits in as the background effect is tweaked for camera.

For a little motion on the b-roll shots, we used our Hollywood Microdolly with straight track. Here’s a little push in shot at 60 fps:

Chevron Shanghai Expo Team BCP

McGarryBowen Agency

George Spyros, Executive Producer / Director

Rob Featherstone, Director of Photography

Darrel Flowers, Gaffer

Jay Farrington, Camera Tech

Jimmy Stewart, Key Grip

Jenny Zielon, Hair & Make-up

Ryan Velasquez, Editor

Chevron at Shanghai Expo 2010

We Did It: Chevron Headquarters Shoot

BCP Tapped: Chevron Screentest Shoot

Clients & Partners: Chevron

Big City's Work for McGarryBowen Agency

Lobster Roll Wins Guinness World Record with Kraft Miracle Whip

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :60

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :15

Maya Angelou 2008 Olympic Poem "Amazement Awaits"

Marriott In-Room Video

Reebok Fit - Inspirational Video

Reebok Fit - Follow-Up Inspirational Video

Reebok Sports Brand: The Sport of Lifestyle

Maya Angelou Libraries Greeting

Marriott: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010

Verizon Wireless B2B Talent Interviews

Chase Blueprint Talent Interviews

JPMC Community Development Banking Spots

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010 Gear

Panasonic HPX 500 Digital P2 Card HD Video Camera

PS Technik Pro 35 Adapter

Zeiss T1.9 Ultra Primes by Arri

Panasonic P2 Card

Duel Adapter PCMCIA Card to ExpressCard

Microdolly Hollywood: Basic Dolly Kit (Video)

G-Technology G-Drive 2TB/7200RPM

Joker Bug 800

Kino Flo 2ft. 4 Bank 4 Tube Fluorescent Light

Marshall 7-inch HD Component / Composite LCD on-board monitor

Final Cut Pro Non-Linear Editing System

Post-production services on a 1-minute communication video cut together from behind the scenes footage of McGarryBowen’s ad campaign “Where the Driven Go.” We see the shoot for the print collateral and get a sense the amenities found at Marriott properties. This video was created as a sizzle reel for internal use.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Marriott In-Room Video

Marriot: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Clients & Partners: Marriott International

Big City's Work for McGarryBowen Agency

Lobster Roll Wins Guinness World Record with Kraft Miracle Whip

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :60

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :15

Maya Angelou 2008 Olympic Poem "Amazement Awaits"

Marriott In-Room Video

Reebok Fit - Inspirational Video

Reebok Fit - Follow-Up Inspirational Video

Reebok Sports Brand: The Sport of Lifestyle

Maya Angelou Libraries Greeting

Marriott: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010

Verizon Wireless B2B Talent Interviews

Chase Blueprint Talent Interviews

JPMC Community Development Banking Spots

Big City sent a crew again to the always great to visit and very slick Reebok headquarters building to cover the the new focus for Reebok Sportswear for our agency client McGarryBowen. Hey, this go around, we even got to pick up some sneakers for the kids — and their first kicks no less! Nice…

Big City's Work for McGarryBowen Agency

Lobster Roll Wins Guinness World Record with Kraft Miracle Whip

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :60

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :15

Maya Angelou 2008 Olympic Poem "Amazement Awaits"

Marriott In-Room Video

Reebok Fit - Inspirational Video

Reebok Fit - Follow-Up Inspirational Video

Reebok Sports Brand: The Sport of Lifestyle

Maya Angelou Libraries Greeting

Marriott: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010

Verizon Wireless B2B Talent Interviews

Chase Blueprint Talent Interviews

JPMC Community Development Banking Spots

Big City Pictures produced this video about the pilot store of the Roasting Plant on Orchard Street in lower Manhattan. Begun by the former supply-chain manager of Starbucks, this is one start up that can start you up with a truly fresh cup of Joe. Mmmm, enjoy the coffee…

Team BCP for Roasting Plant Investor Overview

George Spyros: Executive Producer

David Levy: Writer/Director

Tim Goodwin: Editor

Michael Pruitt-Bruun: Gaffer

One more time: Big City sent a crew again to the visually appealing and warm feelings Reebok headquarters building to shoot interviews and b-roll around Reebok Sportswear brand campaign “Fit.” As always, our agency client McGarryBowen was fantastic to work for and the clam chowder in the Logan airport seemed especially tasty this go around. Or perhaps it was the beer that really clinched the shoot day…

Big City's Work for McGarryBowen Agency

Lobster Roll Wins Guinness World Record with Kraft Miracle Whip

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :60

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :15

Maya Angelou 2008 Olympic Poem "Amazement Awaits"

Marriott In-Room Video

Reebok Fit - Inspirational Video

Reebok Fit - Follow-Up Inspirational Video

Reebok Sports Brand: The Sport of Lifestyle

Maya Angelou Libraries Greeting

Marriott: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010

Verizon Wireless B2B Talent Interviews

Chase Blueprint Talent Interviews

JPMC Community Development Banking Spots

Big City sent a crew up to very cool Reebok headquarters building and campus to shoot interview and b-roll footage for this inspirational video all about Reebok Sportswear. agency client McGarryBowen.

Big City's Work for McGarryBowen Agency

Lobster Roll Wins Guinness World Record with Kraft Miracle Whip

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :60

Kraft Miracle Whip Lobster Roll Spot :15

Maya Angelou 2008 Olympic Poem "Amazement Awaits"

Marriott In-Room Video

Reebok Fit - Inspirational Video

Reebok Fit - Follow-Up Inspirational Video

Reebok Sports Brand: The Sport of Lifestyle

Maya Angelou Libraries Greeting

Marriott: Driven Campaign Behind The Scenes

Chevron Shanghai Expo 2010

Verizon Wireless B2B Talent Interviews

Chase Blueprint Talent Interviews

JPMC Community Development Banking Spots