Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Movie Required a Custom-Made Sony Camera to Film High-Octane Racing Scenes

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for behind-the-scenes trivia, I find myself utterly captivated by the intriguing tale of Claudio Miranda, the maestro behind the lens for the upcoming “F1.” His life experience, much like a well-crafted screenplay, is a testament to ingenuity and relentless pursuit of perfection.

Claudio Miranda, the cinematographer who won an Oscar for his work, collaborated with Sony Electronics in creating a tailor-made camera specifically designed to capture fast-paced sequences featuring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, their co-stars, and stunt drivers as they navigated Formula One race tracks for the upcoming movie “F1” directed by Joseph Kosinski.

In his previous project with Kosinski on “Top Gun: Maverick,” Miranda utilized another innovative Sony technology, Rialto system, which allows the camera body to detach from the sensor. This enables the device to be installed in compact spaces like cockpits, replicating the sensation of being inside an aircraft.

In my perspective as a movie critic, I must say that capturing the high-octane action of a Formula One race with none other than Brad Pitt behind the wheel demanded a more streamlined approach. As Miranda explained to me, in contrast to “Maverick” where the actors didn’t pilot the aircraft, here the actors were actually driving the cars. Therefore, we needed a camera system small enough to ensure that while Brad was skillfully maneuvering the car, we could still capture the thrilling shots necessary for the film.

Four custom cameras, remotely operable for pan and focus adjustments, were installed and affixed within Mercedes Benz racing cars specifically for filming purposes. Each car had four such cameras. “We invested a considerable amount of effort preparing the vehicles,” Miranda explains, mentioning that in certain instances, the drivers performed stunts surpassing 200 miles per hour. “Sony takes our feedback seriously.

The film crew was given approval to conduct filming during actual Formula One race days, utilizing the vacant track for brief periods prior to the event, enabling them to capture footage on the real track with a live audience. In essence, “F1” is following the racing circuit, as production continues in various locations such as Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas.

Miranda mentions that both Brad and the actor portraying Joshua Pearce, Damson, are excellent drivers. She points out that the trailer footage showcases “early Brad,” but in reality, he’s much quicker now.

To ensure safety, extra vehicles and potentially risky activities might be incorporated into the footage using visual editing techniques.

Miranda had a conversation with EbMaster during the recent Kando Trip by Sony, which was held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara. This event is essentially a VIP customer gathering where industry professionals are given the opportunity to test Sony equipment while the company gathers feedback through focus groups and discussions. The aim of these sessions is to collect customer insights for future product design and innovation. For the sake of photography, Sony had organized synchronized swimming shows and Cirque du Soleil-like performances on the resort premises.

According to Sony North America president Neal Manowitz, some products we offer have been significantly influenced by discussions held here. This concept is about jointly shaping the future, and Claudio has played a significant role in many aspects of our product development.

It’s undecided if Sony plans to launch the camera system they’ve created specifically for “F1” as a new product, as the movie itself is set to hit theaters on June 27 by Warner Bros.

2024-09-23 19:46

Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Movie Required a Custom-Made Sony Camera to Film High-Octane Racing Scenes

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