In a significant move to enhance its production capabilities, independent film production house Rhythmic Films has adopted Blackmagic Design's Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro for shooting and DaVinci Resolve Studio for editing and color grading. This change in workflow was driven by the need to adapt to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Equipment Streamlines Production
Directed by Corey Pearson, who is also the director of photography, The Spy Who Never Dies follows a world-class spy named Brad as he navigates his dual life and battles against adversaries. The film features 700 visual effects shots, ranging from full CGI to compositing, necessitating a robust yet flexible post-production setup.
Pearson notes that the decision to switch to Blackmagic Design's equipment was strategic. “When COVID hit, we started exploring solutions that could provide more flexibility and were compact and agile while still providing a cinematic look,” he says. The dual native ISO sensor on the Pocket 6K Pro and its color science proved pivotal in maintaining the desired aesthetic.
Efficiency Gains with Blackmagic RAW
Rhythmic Films also embraced the Blackmagic RAW codec, which significantly improved their workflow. “The Blackmagic RAW codec was a game changer for us,” Pearson explains. “It refined our entire workflow for the better.” The ability to shoot in 6K RAW and directly ingest files into DaVinci Resolve Studio without proxies allowed for real-time playback, facilitating offline editing.
The efficiency gains and cost reductions achieved with this new setup have positioned Rhythmic Films well for future projects. Pearson adds that the company plans to continue using Blackmagic Design's equipment for upcoming films and believes other productions will eventually adopt similar setups to streamline their processes.