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Cartoon by: David Smith
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Interview with Cucoloris Films
Cucoloris Films, Inc., recently, used Chapman / Leonard's new Lenny Arm 2 Plus with holes to film a 30 second Toyota Car Commercial at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, directed by Sean Thonpson. Here's what DP, Brooks Guyer, and Key Grip, George Peters, said about the perils and precautions of the project...
By Jennifer Chapman
CL: What visual effects were you trying to achieve with this particular shot?
Brooks Guyer: We had to start with our lens two inches from the nose of an Indy car traveling at high speed, be able to widen up and out, then drop a second vehicle into the frame. As soon as both Indy cars were full framed, the vehicles had to rush out of frame. For a 30 second spot, we needed to do all that in 27 seconds at a speed too fast for camera cars, so we needed a low profile arm that would cut down on wind resistance at 40 to 50 mph. The Lenny Arm 2 Plus with holes was able to do that.
CL: Considering this was a risky shot, were you satisfied with the safety and time-saving factors Chapman Equipment provides?
Brooks Guyer: We started to think about this weeks ago and knew we couldn't do this shot with a camera car, so, we devised our own plan. I got together with the key grip and decided to put the base on a flatbed truck with a Lenny Arm. Chapman saved us time by rigging the car tow mount assembly to the back of the flatbed for us.
CL: What were the advantages to using a Lenny Arm 2 Plus with the camera tow assembly?
Brooks Guyer: We didn't know the exact length of arm so we needed something that offered a wide range of distances. Chapman's Lenny Arm 2 allowed us to do just that. We also had a problem with wind resistance, but thanks to the holes in the arm we were able to hit our marks right on.
CL: What suggestions do you have for grips concerning dangerous shots such as this one?
Brooks Guyer: Be mindful of every situation. What happens if someone faints and drops the arm? What is the worst case scenario? That's what Chapman does. If something is made to withstand 10 lbs., they advertise it as 5 lbs., so there is always a safety margin. Chapman understands weight limitations and factors that into its equipment. There is a constant battle between trying to get the right shot and maintaining safety. Remember what's more important.
CL: How did the cable assist contribute to the success of this shot?
Brooks Guyer: We needed a little more stability in this case, so we used the cable assist feature on this crane. It did help to decrease wobble that occurs on high speed shots with longer arm configurations. Also, Leonard's arms are built in a modular fashion that allows you to configure the crane any way you want it.
CL: What difference, if any, did the holes on the Lenny Arm make?
George Peters: No other arm could've done what the Lenny Arm 2 Plus with holes did for us. I couldn't believe how light the arm felt when we were at high speeds. The wind seemed to travel right through it.
CL: As a key grip, did you do anything to ensure the safety of your crew?
George Peters: I've been in this business 15 years and I've never done a shot this dangerous. At times, we had to travel up to 55 mph to keep up with the Indy cars. The length of arm we needed made it extremely dangerous. But Chapman mounted the base into the frame of the truck with steel rods so it would handle the G-Forces. Grip, Steve Savage, and I also rigged ropes to assist us in acceleration and deceleration of the arm in any position we wanted. We had to build a large platform so we could operate off the side of the truck because the arm was having to travel so high that we had to be on the back of it. We had a precision driver, (Dean Bailey), drive the truck. Then, we rehearsed the shot ahead of time, without moving, to make sure it was safe and we all wore head sets so we had good communication.
CL: Why do you prefer Chapman to any other studio equipment company?
George Peters: There's no other company in the world that would've done that type of rigging for us. They bend over backwards to ensure the setup is safe and fully functional to the exact specifications I need. I consulted with many key grips and cameramen to do my homework and make sure I was getting the right equipment. The Lenny Arm 2 was the only tool even remotely close to doing that application.
CL: How would you rate Chapman's customer service?
George Peters: They seem to be extremely aware of what we need. The girls in dispatch are very knowledgeable and they always ask the right questions to make sure we have the accessories we need for our dollies and cranes. If there is ever a problem, they rush another part to the production set so we can finish the shoot.
