How They Built a Helicopter Out of People for a Commercial
▶ 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
• https://www.instagram.com/daniel__warwick/
• https://www.danielwarwick.com/
• Watch "Together Greater"
• https://vimeo.com/1191469141
• View on Frame Set:
• https://frameset.app/search/brand/westpac/project-alpha
▶ 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
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
• https://www.instagram.com/daniel__warwick/
• https://www.danielwarwick.com/
• Watch "Together Greater"
• https://vimeo.com/1191469141
• View on Frame Set:
• https://frameset.app/search/brand/westpac/project-alpha
▶ 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
Frame Set
Helping filmmakers with creative development.
Frame Set's YouTube channel is dedicated to creating videos that inspire, empower, and equip filmmakers of all levels — helping them feel less alone, more connected, and ready to apply what they learn to the...