Prime Video's true story of faith and survival, “On a Wing and a Prayer,” uses Blackmagic Design’s URSA Mini Pro 12K camera for capturing intense scenes inside a small private plane. Directed by Sean McNamara, the film stars Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham as a family struggling to land an aircraft after their pilot dies unexpectedly.
Challenges of Shooting in Tight Spaces
The cinematographer, Sebaldt, faced significant challenges due to the confined space of the King Air 200 cockpit. With only ten inches between cabin seats and a height of just 4’10", he needed multiple cameras to capture various angles simultaneously, reducing discomfort for the actors.
Innovative Camera Placement
To overcome these constraints, Sebaldt employed three Blackmagic Design cameras: an URSA Mini Pro 12K and two Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pros. A Mini Libra remote head on a Technocrane was used to move through the cockpit, while a ceiling track provided dynamic shots from the back of the plane.
Dynamic Cinematography
The URSA Mini Pro 12K’s high resolution allowed for detailed close-ups and secondary framing in post-production. An additional URSA 12K action unit was used at an airport to capture emergency response sequences, showcasing the camera’s flexibility.
Emotional Moments Captured
A particularly memorable shot involved placing the URSA Mini Pro 12K on a low-profile fluid head with an ARRI Ultra Prime 8R lens in the plane’s back cabin. This setup enabled a 360° super-low angle shot of the mother and daughters praying, capturing their desperation and hope for divine intervention.
Collaborative Problem Solving
The cinematographer emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking, noting that solutions often arise from unexpected places. The use of remote focus and aperture controls on the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pros allowed handheld shots in tight spaces, while an Innovision Probe II Plus mounted on the URSA Mini Pro 12K provided detailed views of instrument panels.
Image Quality Assurance
Sebaldt expressed confidence in Blackmagic RAW’s dynamic capture range and color processing, ensuring high-quality images throughout the production. The film premieres this week on Amazon Prime, showcasing the URSA Mini Pro 12K’s capabilities in challenging environments.