Helicopter Film Services launches the “Typhon” 6 Camera Array
Helicopter Filming Services, (HFS) has launched a new camera array designed to appeal to VFX houses and DoPs.
The Typhon 6 Array incorporates 6 ARRI ALEXA Mini cameras mounted in a Shotover K1 system to shoot plates that can then be stitched together in post. The Typhon 6 Array is designed to enable both aerial and ground-based filming of sequences where a particularly wide field of vision is required.
VFX departments were calling out for new technology that could capture the widest field of view possible. Glen Pratt of Framestore explains: "Obviously, the more pixels we have, the better. Having a larger field of view gives us a better sense of the environment you’re moving through, and also means that within the frame, there are a lot of areas of interest that can act as a background for areas you’ve shot before
One of the first productions to use the Typhon 6 is Paddington 2. UPM Tim Wellspring praised the new array, saying "We’ve had a first use with the Typhon 6 Mini Array on the Shotover K1, and it works beautifully. The shoots we have done on Paddington 2 were loved by the VFXteam and everyone else involved. Eric Wilson, the DoP, was thrilled to learn there’s now an ARRI ALEXA solution to shooting with a stabilised array.”
Oliver Ward, Chief Technical Officer at HFS, explains, “We’ve created the Typhon to meet ever greater need from VFX for a stabilised Array, primarily based around the ARRI Alexa camera, using industry standard prime lenses such as the 24mm LDS Zeiss Ultra Prime.”
Jeremy Braben, Founder of HFS, explains, “We were tasked by visual effects departments to create this array, as we’re seeing an increased need for capturing a larger frame in one go. There’s a distinct artistic advantage to getting some shots with these arrays, but until now, they have just been part of the VFX wish list. We’re excited to be bringing the Typhon array to major forthcoming feature productions
Visit the HFS website: http://www.helicopterfilm.tv/aerial-home