Dazzling action sequences and mind-bending camera work made 2014’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” an instant cult classic, but it also set the bar for the kind of cameras that will be used in action flicks from here on in. Director Matthew Vaughn and director of photography George Richmond have a reputation for in depth conceptualization and pre-production, and in their tireless research they decided to utilize a Blackmagic camera that takes bold new steps.Blackmagic's Pocket Cinema Camera (PCC) is small and that’s the point, but a truly effective high-resolution hand camera has been elusive. So how did Blackmagic manage to solve the small professional camera issue?
Blackmagic's Pocket Cinema Camera Specs
The body of the Pocket Cinema Camera is roughly 5 x 1.5 x 2.6 inches, making it the world’s most compact Super 16 digital film camera. The magnesium alloy chassis gives the hardware an encouraging sturdy feel and helps with smoothness of movement, but it’s the camera’s ability to shoot RAW footage that appealed to George Richmond’s penchant for nuanced color correction. A 12.48 mm by 7.02 mm sensor records 12-bit video with impressive quality considering the small size of the sensor and relatively short dynamic range. The camera’s LCD screen, built in mic and user interface may seem like clunky placeholders, but the body is adaptable to the point of endless versatility. The MFT lens mount seems limiting but for the existence of adapters, which can allow you to utilize lenses that concentrate more light into the sensor.
Camera in Action
Second unit director and stunt coordinator Brad Allen benefited most from the Pocket Cinema Camera’s high versatility. Chaotic action sequences and elaborate fight choreography received ample coverage thanks to the camera's ease of placement and low cost. Richmond and Allen also utilized the PCC for small format material, preferring the relative look of the footage in regards to focus and lens choice.
The modern action sequence is defined by ingenious camera work, sometimes of nearly unfathomable complexity, used to create a final product that seems effortless. The PCC by Blackmagic is a camera built to suit those needs and more. The architects of the hardware understand that creativity needs versatility.
