LOS
ANGELES – Renowned Steadicam Guru
Jun Li has joined the production of the upcoming biblical drama
“His Only Son,” from veteran writer/director David Helling
(“The Fall of Man.”)
“I
am pleased to work with David and help share his vision for this engaging
biblical story,” said Li. “I’ve worked on some films that’s in this
type and style. I believe I’ll be confident to help them accomplish what they
want. I always utilize my creativity once I know what vision they have, no
matter what type of film it is. So, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a fun and creative
process.”
Written
and directed by Helling, “His Only Son” follows the Old Testament story of Abraham
who, after being called on by the Lord, finds his faith is tested on his three-day
journey to sacrifice his son. The film, which
is now in pre production, is set for release sometime next year.
“Feature
films require a camera operator with a lot more involvement, better preparation
and stronger commitment than a short-term job because you could be involved in
the production in a very early stage,” Li said. “First, it’s a physical
challenge to work on set on a regular base, so that you’ll need to adjust and
prepare your body for a better daily routine. Second, it requires a stronger
commitment when it comes down to a two-month project. Moreover, making sure of
the gear is ready to serve for the production is very important. Running
through everything I have, always having a backup plan and servicing my gear to
make sure it’s in good condition is vital for me to do. I’ll also participate
in camera test and prep to guarantee there’d be no problem on set.”
Renowned
for his work on the Steadicam, Li understands the uniqueness of the technology
behind it, allowing for seamless shots while moving and greater versatility for
filmmakers.
“Since
the camera is directly connected to my body, my breath, steps, and tiny
movement on my fingers are attached to composition, framing and pace of the
shot. I feel my whole body and free will is controlling the shot, which is a
fantastic experience,” he said. “Steadicam requires a lot of knowledge, skills
and training to be controlled. As a Steadicam operator, your visual sensitivity
and physical responses will directly affect your shot. My goal is to bury that
reaction to my sub-consciousness so that I can truly unite with camera as one therefore
I spent ton of time to practice.
