We recently produced a series of designer and developer interviews to highlight Nike’s timeline of innovations and introduce their latest running shoe, LunarGlide+. ALPHA produced a diverse body of videos from concept to post and delivered in Blu-ray, HD, and web optimized formats.

The technology focus of the LunarGlide+ series included interviews with designers and engineers to illustrate how this innovative product would serve the athlete. ALPHA added hi-speed videography and 3-D animation to better bring the concept to life for the press audience. The series was assembled with branded titles and graphics to integrate with additional press materials such as a take-away USB drive with extensive content, a live launch event, and Nikemedia.com.

For the LunarGlide+ press event at the Boston Marathon, ALPHA added to the production a series of interviews highlighting key Nike technology innovations starting with the Waffle sole and up to the breakthroughs seen at the Beijing Olympics. ALPHA also produced a series of dramatic male and female ‘runner silhouettes’ to play on vertical displays throughout the event.

::Production Notes::
The designers and product managers we interviewed were all very passionate about the LunarGlide+ and the technology behind it. That is a very fortunate position to be in from a production standpoint. For the interviews we had nothing scripted except questions and conversation points. We had originally planed on one or two videos but were able to break up the series into additional segments because of the quality and breath of content we collected from our interviews.

All interviews, b-roll and high speed imagery were shot on a Panasonic Varicam HPX2700. We have grown very fond this camera and it’s capabilities and it’s operator, Peter Richardson. Both excellent additions to the ALPHA team. In fact, Panasonic caught wind of what we were doing with the camera and asked if they could include footage to display at their booth at NAB.

We also added a Steadicam aspect to the shoot to capture some very dynamic and energetic models using the product. We chose Cathedral Park in the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland for it’s multiple backdrops and dramatic bridge setting. A good choice all around.

As we worked through the project, it became clear that we would have to animate the technology because what was so innovative about it was happening behind internally on the shoe. ALPHA worked closely with Oregon based, Deep Sky Studios, to model the specific elements of the shoe for our editorial purposes.

Credits
Mike Lepis | Producer/Director
James Allen | Post Production Manager/Editor
Peter Richardson | Videographer
Animation | Jared Hobbs
Sal Collura | Steadicam
Travis Widner | Production Assistant