About Us
We love high speed at GreenDoorFilms, we were the first in the UK and Europe to introduce the Phantom digital high-speed cameras as a direct source of slow-motion material for production. These cameras can capture that Pirate's of the Caribbean slow motion effect. The Phantom Flex camera can be supplied with either Arri PL, Panavision PV or Nikon lens mounts. Our "capture services” are recognised, trusted and respected by the television and film industry. Our technicians have years of high-speed camera experience and can discuss with your Director and DoP the best way to achieve the required shot. We are unique in that we are not affiliated to any other company whether it is equipment rental, effects facility, Director or DoP. Take two Phantom Flex Cameras and we can create STEREO 3D High Speed Images using 3D Rigs.
Inevitably, the image quality from each new generation of Phantom digital high-speed cameras has increased by leaps and bounds. Using instant replay via a laptop computer the Director can better evaluate what will or will not work and by fine tuning lighting and exposure the DoP and Director are able to explore and build upon an idea during the shoot. If a take does not work or look right the camera is ready to try again within seconds.
Today, material from digital high-speed video cameras is regularly cut into normal, Super16 or 35mm film material, video, HD and when viewed on television, the slo-mo results are stunning. The Phantom Flex is designed for capturing slow-motion footage and is not generally suitable for use as a substitute for normal speed film or video cameras.
GreenDoorFilms was founded in the late 1980s as an independent company offering a wide range of high-speed film cameras to the rental market. These cameras were used in the production of television commercials, music videos, documentaries and natural history programmes as well as for industrial and military applications.
With the exciting advances in digital high-speed video cameras, GreenDoorFilms helped pioneer the use of high-speed video for direct use within productions. The company now offers the Phantom Flex cameras which have widely taken over from film cameras in capturing high-speed images and are regularly used throughout the industry.
John Hadfield, a graduate of Leeds College of Technology and London Regent Street Polytechnic, joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment, near Bedford, as a photographer working firstly on the Wind Tunnel site and then on the Experimental Airfield. He took an interest in the use of 35mm Vinten high-speed film cameras for recording aircraft catapult and arrester wire trials.
His next appointment was with a defence company, Hunting Engineering Ltd, based near Ampthill in Bedfordshire, where he worked on many military projects. He was responsible for the high-speed film cameras within the company's photographic department, sending 16mm high-speed cameras out to ranges and test facilities all over the UK.
With his expertise in high-speed he then joined IIMC Ltd — based in Thame, Oxfordshire — as their Sales Manager for high-speed cameras and other photo-instrumentation products from both NAC Inc and Photo-Sonics Inc.
In 1989 John founded GreenDoorFilms.
At the 29th National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, John was awarded an Emmy in the category: Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Cinematography - Nature Documentaries/Dramatic Recreations. Nature Tech: "The Magic of Motion".
Vale Life Magazine Article
Tony Allen. Phantom high-speed cameraman/operator.
Tony Allen. A graduate of Berkshire School of Art, he joined the film and photography unit of Oxford University’s Department of Zoology. While there, he found time to make a number of independently funded programmes for both the BBC and Survival Anglia. In 1980 he set up his own production company, Green Films, and spent the next 20 years travelling the world filming wildlife for all the leading broadcasters.
His career in wildlife filming culminated in 2000 when he won an Emmy Award for his work on Bodysnatchers for National Geographic. The programme also went on to win the Gold Medal at the 2000 New York Documentary Film Festival.
It was during the making of this programme that Tony met up with John Hadfield at Green Door Films and learnt of his pioneering work with the Phantom cameras. It was immediately clear to Tony that the future for high-speed filming was going to be digital. With this and other rapid changes taking place in digital video technology, Tony decided to form another company, Panache Productions, to produce programmes and interactive DVDs for the science and medical corporate sectors. This has led to a close link between GreenDoorFilms and Panache Productions. Tony’s time as a cameraman/operator is now divided between the two companies.
Gavin Free joined Green Door Films in 2006 as Data Technician and Camera Operator. After finishing education, he took an immediate interest in digital high-speed photography and got in contact with John Hadfield to learn the trade. In 2010 he started the successful YouTube series The Slow Mo Guys, which is still running.
The Slow Mo Guys - www.youtube.com/slowmo
