Filming the 10 Commandments
It's 1956 and iconic film director Cecil B. DeMille is getting ready to shoot the most expensive scene ever filmed: the parting of the Red Sea in his movie "The Ten Commandments."
The scene required 2200 extras and 800 animals and could be shot only once. So DeMille arranged for one not, not two, not even three cameras but four camera/cameraman set-ups surrounding the scene.
Everything's in place. DeMille shouts, "Cameras! Action!" and the scene unfolds. The moment it's over, DeMille shouts, "Cut!" and immediately picks up his walkie-talkie.
"Camera 1? Did you get that?"
The cameraman reports that a glob of birdshit landed on the camera lens and ruined the shot.
"Camera 2? Did you get that?
That cameraman reports that the film broke just as the scene started.
"Camera 3? Did you get that?"
That cameraman radios back, 'I'm sorry sir, but just as the scene began the battery pack died."
DeMille is in a panic. "Camera 4!"
“Yes, ready when you are.”
The scene required 2200 extras and 800 animals and could be shot only once. So DeMille arranged for one not, not two, not even three cameras but four camera/cameraman set-ups surrounding the scene.
Everything's in place. DeMille shouts, "Cameras! Action!" and the scene unfolds. The moment it's over, DeMille shouts, "Cut!" and immediately picks up his walkie-talkie.
"Camera 1? Did you get that?"
The cameraman reports that a glob of birdshit landed on the camera lens and ruined the shot.
"Camera 2? Did you get that?
That cameraman reports that the film broke just as the scene started.
"Camera 3? Did you get that?"
That cameraman radios back, 'I'm sorry sir, but just as the scene began the battery pack died."
DeMille is in a panic. "Camera 4!"
“Yes, ready when you are.”
