Santa
Monica, CA, June 6, 2004
Outside
the Kingsley & Gates mortuary
the Press and well-wishers gathered to capture a glimpse of
the Reagan family and the Reagan casket.
Towering above the street lights, the HI-POD captured still
photos and crane-like video shots of the historic moment.
As the motorcade approached the tutor-styled funeral home, the HI-POD captured
powerful stills of the arrival.
"The motorcade is impressive" said HI-POD operator Enrique Morales, "To
shoot it at eye-level just doesn't have the same impact". Mr. Morales telescoped
the HI-POD to its fullest extension of 15 feet, and mounted the Sony DSC F717
digital 5-megapixel camera, instead of a video camera. "For historical preservation,
I think shooting with a still camera was the right way to go", said Mr.
Morales.
After the motorcade arrived and Mrs. Reagan and her children Ron Jr. and Patti
Davis exited the limo, Mrs. Reagan responded to the cheering crowd, and she and
her children examined the makeshift shrine in front of the Kingsley & Gates
Funeral Home.
The HI-POD was able to get a perspective shot that no other camera crew was able
to achieve. "The altitude of the HI-POD, and its ability to be quickly positioned
almost directly above the family, created a majestic photo moment." claimed
Mr. Morales. "Even the major network crews that paid big money to rent the
balconies across the street were not able to get this shot".
After the Reagan family entered the mortuary the HI-POD operator switched to
a DV video camera to capture the pall-bearers carrying the casket of the former
president from the mortuary to the hearse.
Once again the HI-POD towered above the crowd of reporters, to capture a cinematic
shot that matched the historic nature of the moment. |
