Projects
PUT THROUGH ITS PACES
The HDW-F900R survived heat, sandstorms and Taliban
attacks whilst shooting feature film Kandahar Break
Millhouse Films’ independent thriller
Kandahar Break tells the story of a team of British mine effective way to shoot a low budget film, where there
clearers working for the Taliban government, who fall wouldn’t be much money to fix anything in post. “The
foul of the regime. Set in Taliban ruled Afghanistan in cinematic look we strived for was achieved in-camera.
1999, the film was shot predominantly in the deserts We also decided to record in-camera as we were in such
of southern Pakistan, using the HDW-F900R HDCAM inaccessible locations, so the less cables to external
camera hired from 24-7 North. recording decks, the better,” says Whitney.
“We needed a tried and tested camera that would The crew found the camera held up remarkably in
give us high quality images in difficult conditions. extreme daytime heat, low night time temperatures,
Knowing it was robust, lightweight and had seen action sandstorms and withstood daily knocks and bumps.
in many environments, led us to commit to the F900R,” “Visually, the camera gave us exactly what we wanted,
says producer director David Whitney. “Our dealer and thanks to its durability we could finish on schedule
carried out extensive testing in the UK for a week prior without any lengthy technical delays,” says Whitney. “The
to our trip. It also provided specialist training to our key heat, dust, and battering it took was relentless, but it
technicians and 24 hour phone support for queries survived to the end, capturing some amazing imagery.
when we were out there. If the camera had gone down The temperature on set varied between 45 and 50
24-7 North were ready to fly out a new unit to Pakistan.” degrees daily, and all the kit was constantly covered with
Millhouse Films found the camera provided a cost dust, despite using covers and rain protectors.”
Summer 2009 theproducer 19
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