Let’s have a look at this outstanding Michel Bay-style Nissan Spot. This high-octane commercial was directed by Jordan Harriman and Kyle Padelford and shot by cinematographer Brook Willard on the Panavision DXL2 paired with Panavision Anamorphic Zooms. Pure adrenaline combined with some real extraordinary fares. Watch it below.
Capturing the speed and energy in a single-day shoot
Cinematographer Brook Willard (SEAL Team) and the crew hustled to capture the speed and energy of the Nissan R34 GT-R “cruising” the harbor in a single-day shoot. The commercial was directed by Jordan Harriman and Kyle Padelford and boosted by an excellent sound design crafted by Tom Harriman. “We didn’t set out to make a car commercial but a car chase,” said Willard.
“It was important to treat the creative with a rougher, more aggressive approach honoring the Skyline GT-R’s history both on film and on the race track. A traditional smooth-and-flawless commercial look was never going to fit” Willard adds.
Shot on Panavision DXL2 (Monstro 8K VV sensor)
According to Willard: “The DXL2 choice was a no-brainer – it gave us the sensor size, resolution, and color depth needed to let what was in front of the sensor shine.” The DXL2 was attached to an unstabilized camera platform originally designed for “Days of Thunder”, in order to bring a level of intensity that rigidly connects the viewer to the driver. Similar techniques are being implemented by the master of car race filming, which is Michal Bay. Instead of steady smooth shots, we’re getting elegant shakiness that immerses us straight into the driver seat.
The DXL2 was attached to an unstabilized camera platform originally designed for “Days of Thunder”, in order to bring a level of intensity that rigidly connects the viewer to the driver.
Cinematographer Brook Willard
Lenses: Panavision ATZ and AWZ
The glass was used to shoot the commercial is the Panavision ATZ and AWZ zooms.
This is how Panavision describes these lenses:
Anamorphic wide-angle zoom – AWZ2
Introduced in 2004, the Panavision AWZ2 is the first modern zoom lens to use anamorphic elements at the front of the lens. This is a T2.8, 40-80mm zoom with a close focus distance of 3¼ feet. The lens is 10½ inches long and weighs only 10.4 lbs. The industry often refers to the AWZ2 as the “Bailey zoom,” after John Bailey, ASC, whose creative thirst for a superior wide-angle anamorphic zoom inspired Panavision’s engineers to develop this groundbreaking technology.
Anamorphic Telephoto Zoom – ATZ
Introduced in 2007, the Panavision Anamorphic Telephoto Zoom is a T3.5, 70-200mm zoom with a close focus distance of 5½ feet. The lens is 15 inches long and weighs only 12.75 pounds. Following the AWZ2, the Panavision ATZ is the second modern zoom lens to use anamorphic elements at the front of the lens.
A traditional smooth-and-flawless commercial look was never going to fit.
Cinematographer Brook Willard
Willard states that: “The colorful, dimensional flares that the anamorphic zooms produce really drove the camera-side aesthetic of the project, allowing for a more modern take on an 80s-and-90s action movie inspiration.”
Buckle up and watch the commercial below:
