Comedy Short Explores Einsteinian Physics

Written by: Murray Suid

Benjamin Lapierre and Alexandre Gaudou are a modern version of King Midas. While the mythological Greek monarch could turn anything into gold, this French filmmaking duo has the ability to turn everyday life into comedy. Previously, we showcased “L’Entretien,” their hilarious take on job interviews. They’re back now with a send up of relativity theory. If in school you struggled with mastering Einsteinian equations, relax and enjoy Supraluminique. After the movie, check out the interview that discusses the production and how they achieved their spectacular visual effects.

Interview with Alexandre & Benjamin

MMM: We already have some background information from previous interviews here and here. But if you wish to say something new about you or your work, please fill us in.

Alexandre & Benjamin: We started our concept of producing movies with nothing but a smartphone (shot+edit) a year and a half ago. Our YouTube channel started to grow; we now give video lessons in schools; we win competitions and manage to get funding. With this course we want to tell everyone, believe in your dreams. The proof, we are now real videographers with nothing but a smartphone.

MMM: How did you come up with the idea for “Supraluminique”?

Alexandre & Benjamin: We do not have any training in Einsteinian physics but we are passionate about science and we sometimes like integrating scientific elements into videos. We do like to think that time travel is theoretically

MMM: The credits mention that you got support from the National Center for Cinema and Moving Image. How did that come to be?

Alexandre & Benjamin: In our country, in France, we are fortunate to have a public body that helps the cinema. This organization recently launched funding to help young videographers. It is necessary to make a brief and to present the project: then a jury meets and validates or not the candidates. And this organization validated our YouTube channel . We are very happy.

MMM: Could you say something about the location you used? It seems perfect. How did you find it?

Alexandre & Benjamin: The location is a place close to where we live. We had only one constraint: to find a very large straight line with the least possible vehicle passage.

MMM: How long did the shoot take?

Alexandre & Benjamin: The filming required a full and intensive day.

MMM: Tell us about your crew.

Alexandre & Benjamin: The entire shoot was done to two, no one helped us.

MMM: Which one of you plays the lead?

Alexandre & Benjamin: Alexander is in the main role—the runner. Benjamin plays the scared guy in the car.

MMM: Early in the movie (at 1:15 in the time code), there’s a shot in which the camera smoothly elevates. Could you explain how you got that shot?

Alexandre & Benjamin: For this and many other shots in the movie—for example, circling the runner near the end— we used a DJI Osmo Mobile 2 steadicam.

MMM: What about the “floating phone” shot?

Alexandre & Benjamin: When the phone is seen moving, this was done with slow motion. When the phone is stopped, we used a still image (png) placed over the video clip during the editing .

MMM: The runner showed a lot of talent catching the phone—using different hands in various shots. . Were there any misses?

Alexandre & Benjamin: There were a lot of failures yes. Luckily it was a fake (a replica that does not work).

MMM: Could you reveal the secret of creating the dramatic blurred background (1:45 and elsewhere)?

Alexandre & Benjamin: Alexandre is filmed in slow motion in front of a green screen pretending to run. We recorded the background by driving on the road and speeding up the image during the editing process. In addition, we added a motion blur effect.

MMM: When the runner reaches the square (around 1:50), the birds are not moving. Was that effect done using a still photo?

Alexandre & Benjamin: Happy that you have noticed. Yes it is a photo—again a png—added to the assembly.

MMM: We see the runner as a blur going past the car at 2:59 and 3:20. Can you tell us how you achieved that shot?

Alexandre & Benjamin: This is a cut-out image of Alexandre running, which we added in the post, along with the blur effect. It lasts only a few frames.

MMM: The car appears to shake at 3:05. Was that done with the camera or did someone move the car?

Alexandre & Benjamin: The camera was on a tripod and Alexandre pushed the car to the side as hard as possible.

MMM: Can you explain how you arranged for the runner to encounter himself (5:19)?

Alexandre & Benjamin: A first version was shot with the runner in the background, and the second version in the foreground was shot on a green screen.

MMM: Did you have any unexpected difficulties when shooting the movie?

Alexandre & Benjamin: The biggest difficulty was the strong heat during the shooting, 38 ° Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). It wasn’t easy for Alexander to run in this head, and both of us got big sunburns,

MMM: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the movie?

Alexandre & Benjamin: At 1:20 look in the middle left of the image and you may see something hidden in the vegetation. And for those who want more information about the techniques we used, there is a making-of video. But be prepared: the narration is in French