El Pollo Loco grilling chicken

The Canon C300 had just been delivered to my door step, and I got a call from John Krueger, a director whom I met at our HV Bootcamp 2 years ago. John and I first worked together about one year ago. The current spot was for El Pollo Loco, and the concept was a very action oriented camera, with snap zooms and quick handheld push ins and pull outs. I thought the C300 would be the perfect camera for this job, lightweight and maneuverable. Taking advantage of Canon log to expand my latitude for the day exteriors as well as interiors for shooting with flaming chickens would be essential. We rigged the C300s with lightweight zooms and readied for ACTION!

El Pollo Loco Cinematography filmmaker film movies tv shooting DP lights

D.P. Shane Hurlbut, ASC and director John Krueger discussing a shot.

We scouted two stores and settled on the one in Long Beach with many windows and orientation to the sun. John wanted the look and feel to be fresh, filled with early afternoon sun.

 

El Pollo Loco Cinematography filmmaker film movies tv shooting DP lights

El Pollo Loco exterior

El Pollo Loco Cinematography filmmaker film movies tv shooting DP lights

 

Derek Edwards and Marc Margulies pulled focus and were getting used to a new platform once again. They felt really positive about the focus on the job, and I was constantly at an f2.0 most of the day.

 

El Pollo Loco Cinematography filmmaker film movies tv shooting DP lights

Elite team member Mike Svitak slating the shot

El Pollo Loco Cinematography filmmaker film movies tv shooting DP lights

Elite team member Derek Edwards checking focus.

Elite team member Derek Edwards checking focus.

 

Here is the finished spot. I think it has a fresh look. Vashi Nedomansky did the edit on Premiere Pro, and Matthew Macar did all the graphics. Thanks to Derek Johnson for the BTS photos in the post. Enjoy!!!

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By Shane Hurlbut, ASC

Director of photography Shane Hurlbut, ASC works at the forefront of cinema as a storyteller, innovator and discerning collaborator, who brings more than three decades of experience to his art. He is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, the International Cinematographers Guild/Local 600, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.