As we reported previously regarding an unannounced cinema camera that looks like an action cam on the set of an untitled Formula 1 movie, now we are sure that this is a camera by Sony. This new 6K Cinema Line camera seems to be mounted in three spots on the race car (modified Formula 2), and remote controlled. Read on.
TGM methodologies implemented
The concept here is pretty simple: Take what worked in TGM (Top Gun: Maverick), and translate it to the high-octane adrenaline dose of Formula 1 racing. Cinematography-wise, that’s what the new Apex movie is all about. Apex is not the final name. The final name was not released yet. However, Brad Pitt who is the main star in the movie, has told his IG fans that Apex is the name. Anyway, what’s more, important is that the TGM team is in charge (Director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda). Basically, this movie is going to be like TGM but on the ground. And for this, a dedicated Sony action camera-cam was developed.
Sony 6K Cinema Line camera
BTS leaks have shown a mysterious little camera attached to three spots on the racing car, which is a modified F2 built by Mercedes. Many thought that this is the Rialto extenuation unit of the VENICE. However, it’s obviously not. The letter ’S’ symbolized ‘Sony’. But now new behind-the-scenes images show clearly that the camera is Sony. Also, wifi antennas indicate that the camera is remote-controlled. Indeed, Kosinski confirmed that this is the smallest moveable 6k camera ever designed. Our guess is that a new upcoming model of compact action boxy Cinema Line camera. But this is just a logical guess. It’s 6K though, That’s for sure. Another logical option leads to a successor of the full-frame PTZ camera FR7, with a smaller form factor and higher resolution. In any case, these cameras are intended to do what the Sony VENICE Rialto did inside the fighter jet on TGM. Just a reminder that on TGM the cameras were static and operated by the actors, whereas in Apex they can pan and tilt remotely. One thing is for sure, those shots are good to be super epic, especially when watched on an IMAX screen. BTW, even the lenses are the same lenses Miranda utilized on TGM, which are the Voigtländer that are ideal in this kind of shooting. Check a few BTS leaks below, which include the main camera, and even there’s Claudio Miranda holding a Ronin 4D (?!):
VENICE Compact?
We end the article with a very wild and bizarre rumor shown in SonyAlphaRumors. As stated: “Sony plans to sell the VENICE Compact in 2023, which features a high-speed stacked full-frame sensor with 4.3K resolution, 17 stops dynamic range, full resolution up to 90fps, and DCI 4K 1.1x crop up to 120fps. It offers 2 CF Express Type-A card slots, thus reducing the size of the storage module. Also, the detached sensor module is no longer supported. As a camera with 2 times the read-out speed of VENICE 2, it is more suitable for certain extreme point-of-view applications”. What about that? We’re pretty sure that the compact Sony cameras in Apex are not VENICE Compact, since they have 6K resolution. Furthermore, the rumor indicates that the sensor can not be detached. Hence, the Sony action cameras in Apex are too small for that description. But you have to admit that that’s a neat rumor. Let’s see how accurate this rumor is. What’s your take on this?
The fifth shot of the guys holding the camera on shoulder is not from this movie. That’s James Laxton and his 1st AC on the film “If Beale Street Could Talk”.
I am quickly learning that everything you see on this site you have to take with a grain of salt. Its like the people magazine of cinema news.
Likely it is a custom job (could be a mod done by Panavision) of the Venice sensor block with the mechanical ND system removed and rehoused in a smaller Rialto head.