It appears that we’re right. The camera responsible for the crazy impressive 22-minute oner in Extraction 2, is the RED Digital Cinema Komodo. The implementation of the oner was possible due to dedicated camera rigs, for two hands, and one hand, as the Director of Photography, Greg Baldi, elaborated.

Shot on Mini LF and Komodo

Extraction 2 was shot on various cameras: ARRI ALEXA Mini LF, and RED Digital Cinema Komodo. However, when the teaser was released, we made an assumption that the oners which were packed with tons of action, were shot on the Komodo. Read the reasons why we thought that. Anyway, according to the DP Greg Baldi, it appears we’re right. As stated by Baldi: “Our entire 22-minute action oner on Extraction 2 was all shot on Komodo. And I made some very cool mini remote heads on a stick and different rig held with one hand, and another rig held with two hands, that has an electromagnetic attachment that attaches and detaches to be able to continue our oner and not cut. Fun! I don’t know what other cameras would have given us what the Komodo did”.

Our entire 22-minute action oner on Extraction 2 was all shot on Komodo. And I made some very cool mini remote heads on a stick and different rig held with one hand, and another rig held with two hands, that has an electromagnetic attachment that attaches and detaches to be able to continue our oner and not cut. Fun!

Extraction DP – Greg Baldi

‘Assembling’ an oner

Extraction 2 doubles the duration of the oner as compared to the first movie. Furthermore, it utilizes similar techniques regarding camera kinetics, performed mainly by the film director and stuntman Sam Hargrave. As confirmed by the Russo brothers, Extraction 2’s oner was composed of many segments stitched together, each section is about 30sec to 90sec. The stitching was implemented in specific stitching points. “We build in certain stitch points where we could,” explained Hargrave. “But in those broken-up pieces you still have sequences that will be between 30 seconds and a minute-and-a-half. Sometimes there are 50, 60. 75 moves in a row with dozens of stunt performers”. And indeed, the oner goes for all the action from breaking into the jail to the extraction. That’s about 22 minutes! All were filmed with the RED Komodo, which looks like this camera was born to this kind of cinematography.

Extraction 3 is a go

As rumors suggest, Extraction 3 has been confirmed. The question remains: Will the oner be multiplied again? If so, expect a pretty darn long epic oner. On the other hand, we don’t so sure if it justifies all the hassle. Oner may look fantastic and indicates directing, cinematography, and editing professionalism. Nevertheless, an oner mustn’t become dull and stale. Throwing a solid amount of action into the oner, may not enhance audience immersiveness. Furthermore, this can lead to a reverse consequence. So an oner should be applied to serve the story, and less bragging about technical capabilities. Do you think that Extraction 2’s oner is overkill?