Creating a sports car commercial

‘Driven by Lights’ is a compelling cinematic commercial that showcases the new Porsche 911 GT3 sports car. Directed by Luca Ruggiero, the production combines precision-controlled studio shots with dynamic outdoor sequences, highlighting the car’s sleek, modern design across a variety of settings.

Simone Rocco, the Director of Photography, shared, “Our aim was to create a visually striking piece that merges automotive filmmaking with a cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic. We filmed in a controlled studio environment to achieve perfect lighting, then transitioned to outdoor sequences to capture the car in motion.”

The crew deployed two Sony A7 IV cameras and a Canon R6 camera, paired with Tamron and Canon lenses to deliver stunning high-quality images. They used the DJI RS4 Pro for stabilization and the Atomos Ninja as an external monitor-recorder.

Ninja enabled the team to review clips on set, ensuring framing, focus, and movement were correct, which helped reduce retakes. “The team were able to work together effectively by monitoring footage in real-time, without having to rely only on the camera’s built-in screen,” Rocco added.

Ninja supports up to 8K ProRes RAW recording with compatible cameras, offering filmmakers flexibility to capture high-quality footage for even the most challenging production environments. Rocco shares, “We explored the Ninja’s recording capabilities to unlock recording in 4:2:2 ProRes with the Sony A7 IV. This enabled us to achieve the superior recording quality needed.”

Ninja’s 5-inch, high-resolution display provided Rocco with a clear, detailed view of the footage, enabling him to make swift adjustments where needed. Its advanced monitoring features, including waveform, focus peaking and frame guides, helped the crew capture footage at ideal angles for post-production.

“The waveform and false color tools were essential for accurately setting exposure levels, particularly in scenes with stark contrasts between highlights and shadows,” Rocco explained. “False color proved invaluable in low-light conditions where autofocus tended to struggle, while the built-in frame guides ensured consistent aspect ratios for shots that required cropping during post-production.”

“Ninja enabled us to quickly identify and address issues and collaborate effectively on set.”