Courtesy Flag

Driving Scenes with Budget and Time Constraints. What do you do when you are shooting a road trip feature film in 10 Days with a budget under $200K, you have 30 pages of driving scenes you need to shoot in 2 days, with no studio access? This was the case with Band on the Run, written & directed by @jeffghupp I did some brainstorming with Gaffer @alexgasp.pictures and Key Grip @jakegottman and we walked away with the directive being that we need to move quickly, easily dial up or down the lighting based on the camera angle, and seamlessly swap between two vehicles for day and night scenes. I gave image references and threw thoughts and ideas at them about where my head was at going into these scenes and setups, but ultimately left it up to them to come up with a solution. This is what they landed on. Day Scenes: Grid Cloth everywhere but the back of the van, with Gemini panels on all sides, plus a couple Ecopunch units in case we needed extra firepower. Then we had Day Blue Muslin rigged above the van for sky return. We also had a floating 8x8 Day Blue Muslin to act as “sky” if we saw outside of any windows. In each shot, everything behind the camera would be turned off for shape. Then the team would wave cucolorises for movement. Night Scenes: The walls of diffusion became black, the muslin above became Night Blue, and the front of the van became a bounce with Gemini panels on the floor with a solid bottomer. The panels were operated by two electrics @jordanpayne5 and @sarakilpela as if they were headlights bouncing back from the road or vehicles ahead. Then we had two par cans on a dolly behind the van to play as headlights. For all scenes: A crew member would shake the van for movement, and I would arrhythmically hit the handle of the camera to emulate a hard-mounted camera on a moving vehicle. The all-black background, handle-hitting and par cans on the dolly behind the van were largely inspired by @larksss BTS on BEEF. Not only would this not be possible without an amazing crew, @justindpn went above and beyond to provide us hospitality and a shooting location at @courtesyflagllc HQ Continued in Comments

Organization will forever be the key to an efficient set. That’s why our 2-Ton Grip Trucks are completely custom built in house to best facilitate the way we operate on your film sets. We’re expected to move quickly these days, why shouldn’t the grip gear come off the truck just as fast? Every cut, weld, and placement was thoroughly designed and practiced from previous builds and versions. Forever to evolve and continue moving forward. Some key highlights to note: - Side door shot bag access. Offload 20 bags without having to step into the truck. - Apple box’s are divided by size, four families fit perfectly off the side door. - Baby Rollers are the most asked for item by camera. To which, they’re the easiest to get off and never buried. - Bungees are dangerous. We swapped to an easy e-track clip and strap system. - Rags are organized from thickest to lightest. Need a solid, you know it’ll be located on the far left every time. - Flags and speedrail are easily accessible without dropping the ramp. Open the door, grab and go in seconds. - 4xs are numbered for a fast count. - Magnetic flood lights, easy to move out of the way. - Overhead lights are Quasars. Easily removed and used on set in a pinch. - Hidden wheel wells. Shelves were built to utilize that dead frustrating space they cause. - Clear isle is an important one. Cart choices are custom to the order and can fit an array of hampers, rubbermaids, and muscles. And the biggest and latest overhaul was discreetly color coordinating each truck. We mix and pull all the time to complete orders. Without even thinking, you know where that Mafer came from if you see it loose by identifying the truck color trim on the logo. Drop a line in our inbox or email and let’s connect for your upcoming shoot! We are located in Detroit and are ready to supply the gear you need! 📸: @alexgasp.pictures #griptruck #setlighting #carrigging #gaffer #twoton

Winter recap in Detroit ❄️☃️ #gripandelectric #griptruck #carrigging #camerarigging #setlighting

End of the year shenanigans, as per usual with us! #gripandelectric #carrigging #setlighting #griptruck #gaffer

Haunting your feed this October with our glow-up!🔦 Happy Halloween from our shop ghosts to yours!👻 Absolutely crispy shots by @throughlexslens 35mm shots by @justindpn BTS video by @theo.cinematography 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ @alexgasp.pictures @justindpn @cable_richardson @domtodero @jakegottman @theo.cinematography @quinn.mclaren

The last bit of Michigan summer was nonstop! Cheers to moving onto autumn gripping 🍂🛠️ For any lighting and rigging needs, drop a line in our inbox! Let’s keep the momentum moving. #gripandelectric #setlighting #griptruck #fisherdolly #grip #detroitfilm #michiganfilm

Two weeks for Belfor caught on film #setlighting #grip #griptruck #35mm #film

Springing through the last of Spring with the crew! 🛠️ #carrigging #camerarigs #grips #gripandelectric #setlighting #ford #35mm

Cruising through April ⚡️ #gripandelectric #setlighting #carrigging #lightingtech #griprigs #rigging #griptruck #detroit

Treading Traverse City’s deep snow last week with the boys for Carhartt #gripandelectric #setlighting #puremichigan #carhartt #griptruck #gripping

LGRW🏒 #fisherdolly #jlfisher #hockeytown #setlighting #grip #lightingtech #dollygrip #redwings #detroitredwings

Happy New Year to all our friends, clients, and collaborators. 2024 was a great season with some of our favorite jobs of all time. We’re hitting this year absolutely sprinting and we’re excited to keep that momentum moving. Cheers to that Detroit hustle and to seeing ya’ll on set! 📸: @co_ni_ka_si