Dave Grohl's What Drives Us Shot With URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 and Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
data-src=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c562aaf4-bpthumb.jpg data-srcset=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c561c0e7-bpfull.jpg 2x class=lazyload avatar avatar-80 photo height=80 width=80 />
Brie Clayton June 14, 2021
0 Comments
Blackmagic Design today announced that What Drives Us, the new documentary by David Grohl of the Foo Fighters, was shot using a variety of Blackmagic Design cameras. This included using URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 and Pocket Cinema Camera 4K to capture interviews with some of rock's biggest icons, including Ringo Star, Steven Tyler, Ben Harper, The Edge and Slash. The documentary also used DaVinci Resolve Studio to edit and grade the film.
What Drives Us shows the commitment of bands and artists to play music for others anywhere the road will take them. The film is filled with interviews from the world's biggest musicians and looks at the tradition and rite of passage of rock bands going on the road in any vehicle they can afford. To shoot What Drives Us, Grohl chose Jessica Young as the cinematographer.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2411710 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us.jpg 1000w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us-300x164.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us-768x420.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us-624x341.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us-50x27.jpg 50w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141447/2-what-drives-us-100x55.jpg 100w data-sizes=(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px />Young was faced with shooting a documentary that included a huge amount of hours of interviews. Due to the hectic schedules and locations of Grohl and the interviewees, she shared the daily shooting duties with cinematographer Todd Bell. Young relied on two Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2s as her main interview cameras, with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4Ks being used by different crew members, who were able to easily learn how to operate them and could jump in and capture spur of the moment shots.
Young explained the vision that she and Grohl had for the film: What Drives Us is a talking head plus archival picture. I got the sense early to go with a punk rock' approach: make no rules with the freedom to err on the side of not normal. The subject matter was about musician misfits cramming themselves into vans and touring the country come hell or high water. Stories about living through bad food, bad sleep, bad gigs and dangerous road conditions while running down their dreams.
We also kept lighting naturalistic and took liberties with some off framing and stuffed close ups. The edge of frame in the wide angle often had a foreground element and the close up frame might be a little in your ear' or awkwardly close kind of view if you were crammed inside a van with your band.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2411711 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us.jpg 1000w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us-300x164.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us-768x420.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us-624x341.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us-50x27.jpg 50w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141507/3-what-drives-us-100x55.jpg 100w data-sizes=(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px />Since each interview was at a different location, Young and her crew never had a chance to scout before shooting. Decisions had to be made the day of and had to be simple.
Both Todd and I have used Blackmagic cameras in the past and know they will give me an amazing image. And with the high dynamic range and ease of use, the cameras let me be incredibly creative while handling any of the regular challenges a shoot like this has, Young said. And being able to have the rest of the crew easily grab a Pocket got me a lot of great shots. The C Cam ops were a handful of great guys and we usually shared a common AC who would then pick up a Pocket when rolling on interviews, often catching Dave in a follow up question or laughing moment.
Those impromptu moments and making sure that Grohl's interviews were not interrupted was another reason why Young chose Blackmagic Design cameras.
data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2411712 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us.jpg 1000w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us-300x164.jpg 300w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us-768x420.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us-624x341.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us-50x27.jpg 50w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/14141534/4-what-drives-us-100x55.jpg 100w data-sizes=(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px /> I have used Blackmagic cameras a lot in the past. They are reliable, she said. I haven't counted them all, but I've been fortunate enough to be in the
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
12/05/2026
CVP, one of Europe's leading suppliers of professional video and broadcast solutions, has appointed Randy Koeman as Sales Manager, Netherlands, marking anot...
12/05/2026
Taiwan Television has expanded its HD content ingest workflow capabilities by investing in the PlayBox Neo Suite - a leading multi-channel multi-server UHD/HD/S...
12/05/2026
Jigsaw24 is strengthening its media team with the appointment of Tom Laker as Client Director and Ashish Chauhan as Project Manager. These strategic hires bring...
12/05/2026
Broadcast playout leader showcases hybrid IP infrastructure and workflow automation with Videoland deployment as regional benchmark...
12/05/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its centralised approach to production workflows...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
NUGEN Audio will debut Version 1.1 of DialogCheck, its intelligent dialog intelligibility and compliance tool, at the 2026 Media Production & Technology Show (S...
12/05/2026
The reactive visuals can adapt to any stage or screen setup and comprise 50 layers of Notch content
Today, Disguise announced that its high performance GX 3 m...
12/05/2026
Snapgrid , Snapbag & Airglow Expand Creative Control for the ARRI Modular LED BarFollowing the launch of the ARRI Omnibar, DoPchoice introduces a dedicated li...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
Macarena Garc a and Carlos Cuevas star in El Acercamiento de l...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils Documentary on Norway's 26-Year Journey to...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
The Netflix Effect
Ted Sarandos
co-CEO
Social Impact
12 May 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
Download all assets
Ten years ago, Ne...
12/05/2026
This is my news content...
12/05/2026
From finance and procurement to supply chain and manufacturing, specialized AI agents are moving into the enterprise systems where business decisions are made, ...
11/05/2026
New production unit features not only wealth of Ross gear but also Sony cameras, Canon lenses, and a Calrec Argo S audio board...
11/05/2026
Solid State Logic (SSL) has announced TCA Tour, a portable fly-away audio production system built from System T components for broadcast, touring, and live prod...
11/05/2026
Riedel Communications has announced it will serve as Official Connectivity Integ...
11/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D) and NETGEAR AV have announced a plugin that automates network configuration for G&D KVM-over-IP deployments on NETGEAR AV Line infra...
11/05/2026
The Famous Group (TFG) and Elite Edge, a production studio specializing in live-action production, show opens, set design, and fabrication for sports and live e...
11/05/2026
The native of S o Paulo, Brazil, will play a crucial role in the broadcaster'...
11/05/2026
Cobalt Digital will exhibit its IPMX/ST 2110 product lineup at BroadcastAsia 2026 (Stand 5D2-4), anchored by the COBALT blueCORE family of standalone signal pro...
11/05/2026
Interra Systems will exhibit at BroadcastAsia 2026 (Stand 5C1-10), demonstrating...
11/05/2026
T-Mobile is serving as a technology partner for the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, deploying 5G connectivity and ...
11/05/2026
Vizrt has announced it has been named an Official Technical Supplier of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, in partnership with host broadcaster ORF. The 70th edi...
11/05/2026
The WNBA and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a multi-year partnership making AWS the Official Cloud and Cloud AI Partner of the WNBA. AWS is also joini...
11/05/2026
Austrian private broadcaster kronehit publicly awarded SLG Broadcast AG and Lawo...
11/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
11/05/2026
As Eurovision fans gear up to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic song ...
11/05/2026
Pela primeira vez na hist ria, o Brasil figura entre os oito maiores mercados de...
11/05/2026
New desktop instrument focused on tactile performance
Bastl Instruments have announced the Kalimba, a new desktop instrument that combines physical modellin...
11/05/2026
Compact sampling workstation gains new features
1010music have announced the blackbox 2, a new version of their compact standalone sampler designed for DAWl...
11/05/2026
Performance-focused sequencer with microtonal control
Berlin-based KOMA Elektronik have announced Monoplex, a new 42HP Eurorack sequencer designed for hands...
11/05/2026
Boasts wireless control from mobile devices
The latest iteration of IK Multimedia's compact amp and effects modelling pedal expands on the capabilities ...
11/05/2026
Spans traditional orchestral and experimental sounds
Sonora Cinematic have recently released the third instalment in their Transfigured Orchestra series, de...
11/05/2026
Our exhibition coverage
Watch all our SUPERBOOTH 2026 video coverage in one place. Check back to this page regularly as we will be updating with more video ...
11/05/2026
You're not meant to look at an Eclipse, but you won't be able to take yo...
Dave Grohl's What Drives Us Shot With URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 and Pocket Cinema Camera 4K 
