How to Create ‘The Creator’ Rig
Imagine being given the opportunity to film a science fiction thriller on an 80-million-dollar budget, all with a camera costing less than $4,000. This isn’t rhetorical, Gareth Edwards did this when he shot The Creator with the Sony FX3. The fact that a high-profile director in Hollywood can film such a visually beautiful & high-quality motion picture on a camera accessible to student filmmakers is truly inspiring. The standard of filmmaking in Hollywood has once again been set on another level.
I know what you’re thinking…a Sony FX3? Can I make this rig myself?
You’ve come to the right place! Today we will discuss what essential equipment you’ll need in order to create Edward’s Sony FX3 camera rig from The Creator.
Lightweight = Heavyweight
Why did Gareth go with the Sony FX3 to shoot such a massive film? Same reason why every emerging filmmaker loves using the FX3: its lightweight design, minimalism, & affordability. Wanting as much freedom in his directorial movements while not sacrificing the quality of image, Gareth Edwards opted for the lighter setup.
“I hope it becomes an industry standard for cameras to get lighter,” says Edwards. “I don’t think there’s any cameraman in the world that enjoys holding this really heavy brick hours on end.” For those that might be wondering, those heavy bricks that Edwards jokes about can run up over $10,000 per shooting day!
The director decided on the Sony FX3’s fit for the film when he realized he can comfortably shoot in low-light situations without the over usage of lighting. The camera is equipped with 12,800 ISO; meaning that a higher ISO setting is better for shooting in darker environments. Higher-graded cameras that run for over double the price & are way heavier to manage, come with similar ISO settings. He mentioned that all he would need is a pole & light on set, which he loved because it made the production efficient with their shoots. Instead of waiting around over 15 minutes to change the lighting in between takes, the wait time was slashed to just seconds.
However, getting your hands on a Sony FX3 doesn’t guarantee you to have visual success like Edwards. There are a few more complimentary parts necessary to replicate the filmmaker’s work.
Complimentary Necessities
The Creator: Behind the scenes. Director Gareth Edwards with the Sony FX3. Source: 20th Century Studios
The other essential component from The Creator’s camera rig is Atomos Ninja 5.2 recording. Edwards applied the ProRes RAW codec of the Atomos Ninja to generate the powerful imagery for post-production. This compact HDR recorder provides accurate monitoring of imagery & similar to the FX3, it is rugged, lightweight, & compact.
When it comes to the lenses used for the rig, Edwards wanted to stay consistent & utilize some lightweight ones. The primary lens used was the custom-rehoused Kowa 75mm Anamorphic. The lens was rehoused from P+S Technik & is the type of lens you’ll want to rent rather than buy (extremely scarce & expensive). If you are looking to purchase, an inexpensive alternative to these custom lenses is the SIRUI Saturn 75mm. Both these lenses are lightweight, according to anamorphic standards, & feature sharp imagery.
The last (crucial) part of this setup is finding the right rig. Edwards went with a custom handheld gimbal rig with the Ronin RS3 at its core. This rig has automated axis locks, which can be unlocked with just a press of a button. This attractive feature allows for optimal maneuverability & flexibility. The RS3’s stability & compactness will ensure smooth footage, even in intense action sequences.
You can now move forward with shooting your next project with the same rig from The Creator! This isn’t all the parts used in the film, but all the essential ones needed. To recap you will need:
Camera: Sony FX3
Lens: Custom-rehoused Kowa 75mm Anamorphic or SIRUI Saturn 75mm
External Recording: Atomos Ninja 5.2 recording
Rig: DJI Ronin RS3 or RS4
There has been many so many films made over the decades with low-costing cameras, but none has ever been this strikingly stunning. What Gareth Edwards has done with The Creator is truly an inspiration for low-budget filmmakers everywhere. And now, you have the opportunity to film a masterpiece of your own.
Here’s a snippet of Gareth Edwards getting giddy when asked about the FX3 on the red carpet below! Interested in getting this rig put together? DFI Rentals houses all the necessary equipment for this rig from the Sony FX3 to the RS3! Call now or place your rental order today!