“This shot could only have been filmed from the Aerigon,” said Jeremy Braben, aerial DP and founder of HFS. “The Aerigon allowed us to get close to the action, at night, in a restricted part of the city.”
The sequence required camera work just above the rooftops, too low for a helicopter to operate safely. HFS had to receive special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly because the scene was filmed at night and in the congested area of central London.
Aerigon has a payload capacity of 35 lbs., which allows for over 20 lbs. of camera equipment, including lenses, along with the Aerigon gimbal and a proprietary advanced stabilization system. The aircraft features 12 powerful counter-rotating brushless motors. Sturdy, detachable legs provide a protective cage for the camera and lens and ensure soft landings after the shot. Intuitive Aerial’s Dominion gimbal controller allows for full camera controls, including FIZ (focus, iris, zoom), while Aerigon is in flight.
“Because of the remarkable stability of the Aerigon, we were able to get this shot quickly,” Braben said. “The filmmakers were able to realize this creative shot, and we were able to capture it, because of the flexibility and reliability of the Aerigon.”
HFS has previously used Aerigon on other feature films, including Into the Woods and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Directed by Sam Mendes, and starring Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes, Spectre was released Nov. 6.
