How They Built a Helicopter Out of People

▶ Find Inspiration and develop your ideas with Frame Set: https://go.frameset.app/4eygU3W ▶ About This Episode: Director Daniel Warwick joins Dylan Hahn to break down his Westpac campaign, a commercial that turned an entire community into a human helicopter. Daniel explains why he chose to build the impossible practically instead of relying on CGI, how Martin Parr's photography inspired the film's distinctive 16mm aesthetic, and why shooting front-lit in harsh sunlight became the project's biggest creative advantage. They also dive into production design, static camera work, film stock, color, location scouting, and Daniel's philosophy on protecting the human soul of filmmaking in the age of AI. ▶ Sources: • Connect with Daniel Warwick •   / daniel__warwick   • https://www.danielwarwick.com/ • Watch "Together Greater" • https://vimeo.com/1191469141 • View on Frame Set: • https://frameset.app/search/brand/wes... ▶ About The Reframed Podcast: "Reframed" is a show that helps growing filmmakers learn from the creators behind inspiring new work, offering real insights, practical tools, and a stronger sense of connection within the film community. ▶ "Together Greater" Credits: Director: @daniel__warwick DOP: @zigzz Production Company: @scoundrel_films_projects Exec Producer: @adrian_awesome Prod. Manager: @sue.sparks Producer:@ctkelly65 Ist AD: Jonny Moffatt Production Designer / @nevillegstevenson Costume Stylist: Olivia Dobson Gaffer: @moody.lights_ Grip: @tomsmovingcompany 1st AC: @ethankjames 2nd AC: @jonastawharu Editor: @_adamwills Post Production VFX: @fathom_vfx Colourist: @maticprusnik Agency: Goldilocks Agency Exec Producer: Judy Thompson Senior Integrated Producer: Em Robertson-McCoy Executive Creative Director: Dan Wright Creative Director: Erin Mattingly / Rob Graves Account Manager / Anna Bentley Tech Specs: Camera: ARRIFLEX 416 PLUS Lenses: Zeiss Super Speeds Film Stock: 16mm, Kodak VISION3 200T Color Negative Film ▶ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 "Together Greater" 01:46 Building a Helicopter Out of People 06:14 Shooting Without a Backup Plan 08:48 Why Everything Was Front Lit 09:11 Martin Parr & Beautiful Mundanity 11:15 Testing 16mm Before Production 14:21 Finding the Perfect Community Hall 16:57 Casting Faces That Felt Real 17:49 What Is a Lamington? 19:00 Homemade Props & Community Baking 20:27 Lighting the Front-Lit 16mm Look 23:14 The Color Science of 16mm Film 26:10 Wardrobe That Feels Unstyled 27:31 Letting New Zealand's Weather Do the Work 29:02 Why Static Camera Shots Worked 31:12 The Beauty of Imperfect Details 32:42 Using a Giant Jib for Locked-Off Shots 33:35 Shooting It All in One Day 34:09 Breaking Down the Coors Super Bowl Commercial 37:06 Crashing a Real Train Through a House 40:11 Does More Budget Actually Help? 41:09 Filmmaking in the Age of AI 45:38 Thank You Daniel Warwick