The Mind-Blowing Camera Move That Fooled the World in Mission Impossible 4's Burj Khalifa Stunt

Summary

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol pushed boundaries by using a camera trick to capture Tom Cruise climbing and reacting to a sandstorm through a glass window.

The filming of the stunt took place on a partial set piece located in Vancouver, while the skyline and sandstorm were later added during post-production.

The success of the Mission: Impossible movies can be attributed, at least in part, to the committed behind-the-scenes artists who continually challenge the boundaries of filmmaking.

In Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Tom Cruise achieved the seemingly impossible feat of scaling the world's tallest building. However, it was a clever camera trick during the stunt sequence that truly pushed the boundaries of what was thought to be possible. Directed by Brad Bird, known for his work on The Incredibles, this 2011 film follows Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, and his team as they attempt to steal nuclear launch codes at the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai. In order to access the building's secure server and deceive the original buyer, Hunt must climb the side of the building in a particularly memorable scene.

In a recent episode of Corridor Crew's "VFX Artists React" series on YouTube, featuring guest Todd Vaziri, a VFX artist from ILM, the hosts were amazed by a moment when the camera appeared to move around Cruise's head, seemingly passing through the glass window he was climbing. This allowed for a close-up of Cruise's reaction to an incoming sandstorm. Vaziri explained that this portion of the stunt was actually filmed on a partial set piece in Vancouver, with a blue screen background. The Dubai skyline and the sandstorm were later added in during post-production. For a detailed explanation, including quotes and a video, see below:

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How The Mission: Impossible Series Continues To Push Filmmaking Boundaries

This scene takes place on a raised platform in Vancouver, situated 20 feet above the ground. The Vancouver sky serves as the backdrop in some sections while a blue screen is positioned on the other side. At the start of the shot, our focus is on the reflective window within the set piece, which displays a synthetic background on the blue screen. The talent of Mark Nettleton, the digital artist responsible for this shot, is truly remarkable. As the camera pans around, the window is removed, allowing the camera to capture an over-the-shoulder shot of Tom. Although Tom's reflection is genuine, it does not mirror the surroundings in Dubai.

When Tom Cruise embarked on the reboot of the iconic 1960s spy series Mission: Impossible in 1996, few could have envisioned that he would continue steering the blockbuster franchise for over 27 years and counting, with plans for future installments. Although this year's Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One didn't achieve the initial box office projections, it still managed to generate a substantial $560 million worldwide, propelling the overall franchise earnings past the impressive $4 billion milestone.

Cruise's willingness to perform death-defying stunts is a significant factor in the franchise's enduring appeal and longevity. Each movie showcases increasingly impressive feats, but behind-the-scenes VFX and camera work play a crucial role in bringing the final sequences together. Alongside Cruise's daring moments, a team of dedicated camera operators, VFX crew, and digital artists work tirelessly to push the boundaries of their respective fields and deliver a polished product.

The latest revelation about Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol further highlights the meticulous planning and careful forethought involved in capturing Cruise's incredible stunt work. From cleverly utilizing drone technology to capture him leaping off a cliff on a motorcycle to creating the illusion of a disappearing window on a towering building, the success of the Mission: Impossible films owes a great deal to the hard work and dedication of the behind-the-scenes artists.

Source: Corridor Crew