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PSU Super Charges Fast and Furious 7 Engines

The PSU‑3X is a standard-setting, high-end HD digital video assist and combines software and hardware into a single, extremely small and lightweight unit specifically designed to hold up under the duress of production. Robert Branam, the Key HD Video Assist Operator for the Fast and Furious 7 spoke with us about his experiences with the PSU‑3X on the film.

1.15 billion dollars in the first 19 days in theaters puts Fast and Furious 7 in good company, considering only 20 Hollywood films have made it past the one billion mark and helping to put together a film of this magnitude takes great equipment. 

The PSU‑3X records video streams from as many as four cameras at once and is capable of playing back two separate takes while simultaneously displaying all four cameras on its high quality touch-screen. The result is vastly improved efficiency and a happy set.

According to Bob Branam, the scale of the film was massive… huge sets, amazing stunts, and great talent. Four camera bodies were always available and the main unit was shooting with two to three cameras most of the time, but there were times that three units would be shooting with a total of twelve to fourteen cameras simultaneously. 

Coordinating footage between the three units was a “Herculean task,” but the PSU, “performed flawlessly as usual.” Bicycle couriers were dispatched between units to make sure that all of the footage was promptly collected and then properly saved and backed up.

He goes on to say that it was great to go to work and “feel confident that your going into a day ready to take on any situation trouble free.” The PSU made backing up those files simple, and the PSU file naming structure made it a breeze to find and replay files quickly.

When asked about his overall experiences with the PSU, Bob replied:

I love it, and I prefer it to any other unit on the market. I’ve used them all, and this workflow just works for me. From the touchscreen interface, to the ability to go right on to a process trailer or on top of a helipad with no carts or monitors, I am there, and I am there with all the footage! There is no other way to work. 

Not only did the speed and ease-of-use impress Bob, it impressed everyone else on the set as well. He says, “When they asked me to playback a shot, I could have it up on the screen before they could even finished their words. Now, that’s fast!”

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