Brief:    Create an in-camera, organic disassembling of a Hummer H3, each panel precisely choreographed to compliment the preceding performance of four dancers, who seem to be beckoning the Hummer H3 to magically form around them.

1-3)    During the prep of this project, the first step
was to determine, how the truck would come apart, then, based on our desired frame, the size of the truss rigging, and pick points for the shivs. Image 1 also shows how we planned to cast the actual H3, fabricating all the individual panels out of lightweight fiberglass, each with an lightweight aluminum frame to give integrity to the panel and it’s pick point.

4,5)    The armature showing the “cradle” points supporting the panels before they are ripped into action by our bungee trigger system.  On the test day, using our “first” set of parts (which we used to determine changes we needed to make on the following two sets of hero parts as well as armature), the Hummer H3 is starting to take shape.  This test was successful and informed our final, shoot day bungee trigger system loading - we added a second trigger for “oomph” and increased the load on each by almost two fold.  we were also able to fine tune the choreography of each part or panel, adjusting pick points and shiv points.

6,7)  The final H3 on El Mirage ready for shooting. The cables that lead to the shivs, and onto the bungee trigger system can be seen here. The steel trench plates stabilize the rig during the effect.  Frame 7 is at the moment of the panels leaving the 60’ wide by 40’ high  by 40’ deep armature.  We had to give the effect a large berth, since once armed, it was like a bungee bomb, with each piece weighing in around 30 lbs... ouch.

8)  The Dynameters that show the load/power of
the bungee trigger system - about 1200-1500 lbs, 
with about 18’ of travel each.  The whole effect lasted just a few seconds, and when reversed, the photosonics footage is very balletic.

9)    The elevating chairs that held the dancers for their movement into the driving and passenger positions of the H3.  These were designed to compliment the H3 in style, be lightweight and functional for the dancers, and contrast with the dry lakebed.