Brad Pitt’s "F1" Movie Leverages Custom Sony 6K Camera To Capture High-Octane Racing Action

How Custom-Built Sony Cameras Bring Realistic F1 Racing To The Big Screen In Joseph Kosinski’s Upcoming Film

 

In the fast-paced world of motorsports, capturing the thrill of high-speed racing on film presents unique challenges. For director Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming movie F1, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, these challenges required cutting-edge technology to create realistic and immersive visuals. Claudio Miranda, the Oscar-winning cinematographer behind Top Gun: Maverick, teamed up with Sony Electronics to develop a custom camera system for the film, bringing unparalleled authenticity to the high-octane racing scenes.

A New Kind of Camera for High-Speed Filming

Miranda’s collaboration with Sony for F1 followed a similar path to their previous work on Top Gun: Maverick. For that film, they developed the Rialto camera system, which allowed for the separation of the camera body from its sensor, making it compact enough to fit in tight spaces, like aircraft cockpits. The same kind of innovation was required for F1, where real Formula One race cars, driven by actors and stunt drivers, reached incredible speeds.

Brad Pitt, who plays F1 driver Sonny Hayes in the film, wasn’t just acting—he was actually behind the wheel. This level of realism necessitated a camera system that was both small enough to fit inside the race car and advanced enough to capture the intense action from multiple angles without obstructing the drivers' view. “We needed a small enough camera system where we could make sure that [Pitt] could drive and see while we get the shots we want,” Miranda explained in an interview with Variety.

Custom-Built Cameras for F1 Action

For F1, the Sony team designed and built ultra-compact cameras that could be mounted inside the tight spaces of a Formula One race car. Four cameras were installed in each Mercedes-Benz race car used in the film, with remote control capabilities for panning and focusing. The result? A dynamic and realistic portrayal of the high-speed racing experience, all while allowing the actors to drive comfortably at extreme speeds.

Stunt drivers in the film hit speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, a factor that added complexity to both the filming process and the camera design. Miranda praised Sony’s responsiveness, noting that they spent significant time fine-tuning the cars and camera setups to ensure everything worked seamlessly under such extreme conditions.

Filming on Real F1 Tracks

The production was granted permission to shoot on actual Formula One race days, a rare opportunity that lent an additional layer of realism to the film. The crew used short intervals on the tracks before live races, allowing them to capture authentic footage with a live audience in the background. Locations for the film included iconic F1 circuits in Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas, making use of the real-world environment to enhance the movie’s immersive feel.

While the actors, including Pitt and Idris (who plays Joshua Pearce, a racing prodigy), took on the challenge of driving the cars themselves, visual effects will be used to add more cars and enhance the danger in post-production. Nevertheless, Miranda notes that both actors became adept drivers during the filming, with Pitt significantly improving his speed over time.

Innovation in Camera Technology

Sony's involvement in F1 reflects their broader strategy of working closely with filmmakers to push the boundaries of technology. The custom-built camera system used in the film is just one example of how the company responds to the needs of high-end cinematographers like Miranda.

Speaking at Sony’s Kando Trip event, an industry gathering where professionals can test out new Sony gear, Miranda explained how these types of collaborations often lead to new product developments. “It’s this idea of co-creating the future, literally together,” said Sony North America president Neal Manowitz, referring to the way feedback from industry professionals shapes future Sony products.

While no official statement has been made about whether the custom camera system developed for F1 will be released for wider use, its success on this project showcases the power of technological innovation in filmmaking.

Conclusion: High-Speed Innovation

The combination of cutting-edge technology and real-world racing thrills makes F1 a film to watch for both motorsport enthusiasts and moviegoers seeking intense action. The use of custom-built Sony cameras, designed specifically to capture the speed and precision of Formula One, highlights the lengths filmmakers are willing to go to create realistic and breathtaking scenes. As F1 races towards its June 27 release, the film is set to redefine the standards of action filmmaking.

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Source: Variety

Photo Credit: Apple

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