SHOTOVER, the maker of high performance stabilization platforms for the motion picture and broadcast industries, have announced that its SHOTOVER K1 was selected for the aerial cinematography sequences in the making of the upcoming summer blockbuster, Transformers 4.
Acclaimed aerial cinematographer David B. Nowell, ASC (The Avengers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Transformers, Top Gun) used the K1 exclusively in shooting over multiple China locations including the Great Wall of China, Beijing and Wulong National Park.
Uniquely suited to far-flung and demanding locations, the K1 is the only motion picture grade aerial camera system with no ITAR restrictions, allowing it to be shipped anywhere in the world without State Department approval. The system’s modular design provides unparalleled versatility for both 2D and 3D shooting, accommodating cameras such as the Red Epic and Dragon, Arri Alexa (all models), Phantom Flex4K, Canon C500, Sony F55 and F65 along with a broad range of lenses. The K1 is also the motion picture industry’s first aerial cinematography solution that can be purchased outright, versus being available by rental only.
For the China Transformers 4 shoot, Nowell worked with top aerial coordinator Alan Purwin (Tropic Thunder, Transformers, Pearl Harbor, National Treasure) and aerial coordinator Fred North (Inception, Clash of the Titans, Man of Steel) to achieve jaw dropping shots from a Eurocopter Astar. The team worked with local SHOTOVER reseller Beijing Shadow Times and its president Gong Bin to ensure all aspects of production coordination.
The K1’s perfect horizon and 6-axis gyro-stabilization deliver rock solid performance under the most challenging conditions and its light weight and portability make it the most cost effective aerial cinematography solution to ship around the world. Other Hollywood credits for the K1 include The Hangover Part III, X-Men: Days of Future Past and RoboCop.
“SHOTOVER systems represent the pinnacle of flexibility and convenience for producers, with the ability to travel around the world with no export restrictions and quickly rig to virtually all aircraft, even those with strict weight limitations,” said Purwin who is president of SHOTOVER and of parent company Helinet Aviation. “From an image gathering perspective, aerial cinematographers can capture motion picture quality 2D and 3D images in a user friendly package that enables them to utilize multiple camera and lens configurations in the course of a single day of shooting. No existing system offers the same level of flexibility and image gathering capabilities.”
Hit up the Shotover Facebook page for the K1 shooting at The Great Wall.
Also hit up the Shotover K1 website to see the K1 in action.
Find out more at SHOTOVER.