Phil Holland, an LA based director and cinematographer recently teamed up with Gotham Film Works to shoot a flyover of New York City with breathtaking results – possibly the highest quality footage to be taken.

Founder of PHFX, Holland has continued to be a pioneer of video photography. Before working as a full-time cinematographer, Holland worked at Rhythm and Hues Studios from 1999-2010 as their Digital Imaging Specialist. Now, after working exclusively for many years in the 4K area of quality, he has upgraded to 8K pioneering image capture, clarity and definition. Mainly working in feature films, commercials, UHD Broadcast, and VFX heavy productions, Holland has shot for films such as Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and most recently, Life of Pi. In addition to filmography he works with a number of clients on aerial projects.

His most recent work with Gotham Film Works involved rigging a SHOTOVER K1 HAMMERHEAD Aerial Camera which allows for cameras to be lined up and used in a panoramic array, with not one but three RED Weapon Monstro 8K VV Cameras which was then taken over the city. The imaging is so clear that it’s possible to see people and furniture through the windows as the cameras pan over the high-rises. This is one to watch in full screen.

“Over the last several years I’ve been specialising in long form, high resolution, large format aerial cinematography. For the first shoot with this new aerial array we rigged the system with 3X RED Weapon Monstro 8K VV cameras, which once processed creates stunning 100 megapixel motion picture images with a sensor size of approximately 645 Medium Format Film. The resulting 12K by 8K footage is 48.5 times the resolution of HD 1080p and full of captured detail,” detailed Holland in his edited footage. In other words, the image quality is 10 times clearer than a photo captured by the iPhone X.

If you want further information into the exact details of the complete process, Phil Holland has recorded what was done in an article. For tech-heads and professional photographers, the RED Weapon Monstro 8K VV camera as well as several different models can be purchased below.

RED Weapon MONSTRO 8K VV / $54,500 USD SHOP NOW
RED Weapon HELIUM 8K S35 / $24,500 USD SHOP NOW
RED Weapon HELIUM 8K S35 MONOCHROME / $24,500 USD SHOP NOW