One of our regular clients, and one that I love, is the spectacle lens manufacturer Essilor. This is a huge, global innovator having created an amazing number of products that we would all recognise (once we had our specs on :-D)
Their latest development is a device called a phoropter that allows optometrists to test patients’ eyes in a distant and CV19 safe fashion with both unheard of accuracy and better patient experience.
In Tier 4, and under the security of our Covid RAMS, we visited two opticians in England and one in Scotland to make a short film about their experiences with the kit. It was the first trip out for our new camera and gimbal combination. We upgraded to a Sony A7Siii which is a remarkable camera, producing 4K slow mo of premium quality from a tiny form factor. We coupled that with a new radio operated remote focus and were able to shoot scenes never before possible for us.
I am a well-known luddite when it comes to kit. Our industry is one that is awash with ‘must have’ gadgets filmmakers don’t need, however with this purchase there has been a significant gain to our ability to film quickly and efficiently but in a cinematic fashion. It lifts the quality of our work to the next level.