Breaking Down the Cameras and Aspect Ratios Used to Bring 'Project Hail Mary' to Life

An early contender for best film of the year, Project Hail Mary seems to have something for everyone. It’s fun, it’s funny, and it’s a technical marvel as co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have proven once again that they know how to find that ideal balance that audiences crave.

And while there’s a lot to say and explore about what makes the heart of the film work, it’s also always fun to take a look at the technical side. During a recent visit to IMAX HQ, the directors shared insights into working with cinematographer Greig Fraser to find interesting shots and techniques.

Project Hail Mary Cameras and Aspect Ratios

In the IMAX video, we get a behind-the-scenes look at how Lord and Miller figured out the technical aspects required to adapt the novel for IMAX.

Working with esteemed cinematographer Fraser (who is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand names in big-budget cinematography), the trio found unique ways to bring the project to life through specialized camera techniques and practical visual effects.

Here are some highlights from the video above.

Infrared Camera Techniques

****The production used two Alexa 65 cameras mounted on a crane, specifically modifying one by pulling out the infrared (IR) filter. This allowed the camera to capture light spectra invisible to the human eye. To take advantage of this, the team built a chicken wire cage filled with tiny infrared blinking lights, similar to Christmas lights, around the actor. While the scene looked like nothing to the naked eye, the camera with the IR filter removed transformed these invisible lights into a "beautiful blinking pink bokeh" surrounding the character.

The Use of Water

****To add further texture to the shot, Greig Fraser utilized a custom rig consisting of two panes of glass and a funnel. As an assistant poured water through the funnel over the glass, Fraser filmed through it with a handheld camera. This technique was designed to create a "smeary wet feeling" on the footage.

The Resulting "Movie Magic"

****The directors described the contrast between the set and the final image as true movie magic: while observers on set simply saw a man in a spacesuit surrounded by people pouring water, the final footage captured a vibrant, otherworldly environment.

Overall, a fun video with lots of interesting insights into the camera techniques and the unique use of the ultra-tall 1:43 aspect ratio. If you haven't seen the film yet, we highly recommend checking it out on the biggest screen possible.