"Burden of Dreams" Behind the Scenes: Camera Gear, Talent, and Creative Choices

Elliot Grafton

Summary:

Here are the main takeaways from Eyre Film's "Burden of Dreams" behind the scenes video:

• The film was a creative response to a transformative year for the production company.
• A freak wave destroyed their FX6 camera shortly before production, leading to an upgrade to the Red V-Raptor 8K.
• They used DZO Vespid Prime lenses for their lightweight and cinematic look.
• A Noxin high-speed cable cam was used for fast, smooth tracking shots in the forest, offering precision and depth.
• DJI's full ecosystem was used, including the Focus Pro with LiDAR autofocus and the transmission system for reliable signal and image clarity.
• The SCG T8 tripod system was used to support the heavier Red camera, delivering smooth and consistent movement.
• The casting process involved finding talent with a striking visual presence, including a horse rider who had never ridden before.
• Atmosphere was created using an insect fogger with propane and baby oil for fog and a fire pump sprinkler for rain effects.
• Visualization scenes were turned to black and white to create a clearer distinction from reality.
• Music and sound design were fundamental, with a reference track guiding the emotional rhythm and stems being used for control.

Pre-Production & Creative Vision [00:00:20]

The filmmakers share how "Burden of Dreams" was conceived as a creative response to a challenging year for their production company, transforming lessons into art.

• Creative Response to Challenges: The film served as an artistic translation of a transformative and challenging year for Eyre Films.
• Planning and Storyboarding: The team meticulously planned the film, utilizing detailed spreadsheets and storyboards.
  • A production spreadsheet was used to organize props, lighting, and reference images during planning meetings.

    

  • Storyboards were created to detail character movements and scene compositions.

    

  • A mood board compiled various visual references to guide the film's aesthetic.

    

Camera Gear [00:01:19]

The production team discusses the camera gear used in filming, highlighting the challenges and solutions encountered.

• Unexpected Camera Upgrade: The team's FX6 was destroyed by a freak wave just before the shoot, forcing them to upgrade to the Red V-Raptor 8K.
  • This stressful incident led to a necessary camera upgrade.

    

  • This upgrade, though stressful, pushed them to be more deliberate with each setup.
• Lenses: DZO Vespid Prime lenses (35, 50, and 100mm) were used for their lightweight design and cinematic look.
  • The lenses were particularly useful when rigging to the gimbal or cable cam, maintaining a sharp cinematic look with character and contrast.

    

• Cable Cam: A Noxin high-speed cable cam was used for smooth, fast tracking shots in the forest.
  • The inspiration for using a cable cam came from watching films like Ridley Scott's "The Last Duel."

    

  • The cable cam allowed them to move with precision through dense trees and create depth.

    

  • The cable stretched 150m and took 4 hours for three people to set up using winches.

    

  • It offered full control in a tight, low-clearance environment where a drone would have struggled, providing varied camera heights.
  • The cable cam with camera also provided an overhead tracking shot of the horse.

    

  • The remote control setup allowed for precise operation.

    

• DJI Ecosystem: The production utilized DJI's full ecosystem, including:
  • DJI Focus Pro all-in-one combo with LiDAR autofocus for beach sequences with Abby.
    • LiDAR autofocus, relying on laser light, offered greater precision in low light conditions and outperformed the Sony A7S3.

      

  • DJI transmission system and high-bright monitor combo.
    • Provided solid signal over long distances with flawless image clarity and reliability in the field.

      

• Tripod System: The SCG T8 tripod system was essential for supporting the heavier Red camera.
  • The tripod comfortably supported the camera's weight (max 10 kilos) and delivered smooth, consistent movement.

    

  • The detachable fluid head was valuable for slider push-in shots, providing smooth, controlled motion for character introductions.
  • It was also useful for remotely operating the Ronin on the cable cam, allowing fine-tuned movements.

    

Casting and Talent [00:05:24]

The video highlights the casting process and the unique challenges in finding the right talent.

• Horse Rider: Makoto, the lead rider, lived in Japan and had never ridden a horse before, despite being cast as the lead rider in Tasmania, Australia.
  • The production team decided to cast based on his striking visual presence and solve the riding issue later.
  • Makoto started horse riding lessons a few weeks before the shoot.

    

  • Mel Horan was cast as a horse riding stunt double from over 130 applications.
    • Mel and her horse were calm and confident around the camera, and she passed perfectly at speed in Makoto's wardrobe.

      

• Dancer: Abby's natural look and fluid movement were key to her casting as the dancer, perfectly matching the team's visualization for her "break free" moment and final scene.

Creative Decisions [00:06:29]

The team discusses various creative decisions made during the filmmaking process.

• Atmosphere: Atmosphere was created using unique methods entirely from scratch.
  • Fog in the forest was made using an insect fogger, propane, and baby oil.
    • The fog created a dense, moody tone, making the forest feel cold, heavy, and closed in.

      

  • Rain effect was achieved using a fire pump sprinkler on the coastal location.
    • The concept for the rain effect came from observing sunlight hitting water droplets from a garden sprinkler.

      

    • The fire pump sprinkler added striking visual intensity to Abby's story.

      

• Black and White Visualization: Visualization scenes were turned to black and white, a decision made late in the process.
  • The change provided clarity between reality and visualization, which was not obvious when everything was in color.
  • The filmmakers felt it was the right choice, as most people naturally dream in black and white.

    

Sound Design and Music [00:07:33]

Music and sound design played a critical role in shaping the film's emotional impact.

• Music Selection: Music selection began before the storyboard was finished, filtering tracks by BPM, instrument, and mood.
  • The team used a reference track with 141 BPM and a strong string melody to guide their search.
  • They found "Legend Awaits," which carried cinematic tension and two distinct arcs mirroring the film's emotional rhythm.
  • Stems (individual audio tracks) were essential for controlling elements and building tension with precision.

    

  • This allowed them to soften percussion where needed, let emotional moments land, and build tension without being confined to the original arrangement.

    

• Sound Design: Sound design was crucial, with rumbles of thunder, low-end pulses, and sharp hits adding weight to the images.
  • These sounds, like a horse's hoof kicking up dirt, were emotional drivers, not just effects.

    

Outro and BTS [00:09:12]

The filmmakers express gratitude to their team and partners for bringing the deeply personal project "Burden of Dreams" to life through intentional filmmaking.