Unveiling of the New Range Rover Velar | Step inside some of the planet’s most exclusive homes | Man’s relationship with dogs | An epic drive through the Isle of Skye | The legendary Beechcraft Bonanza takes to the Skies
Director Jake Scott
Director Jake Scott (above, left) passes his instructions on to the production team. Above, centre and right: the Discovery in close contact with the ARRI Alexa camera and Sir Ben Ainslie behind the wheel during the shoot 16
N A V I G A T O R EYE O F 04 INSIGHT THE STORM An ARRI Alexa camera is a pretty precious object, and in the making of the new Land Rover Discovery advert starring Land Rover BAR team skipper Sir Ben Ainslie, which hit our televisions and computer screens in early February, it almost came to ruin. Ainslie performed his own stunts for the 60-second film, directed by award-winning commercial director Jake Scott, the son of seminal director Sir Ridley Scott, manoeuvring the All-New Land Rover Discovery through swirling sand in a desert location outside Valencia in Spain. “You get these massive sandstorms, and we wanted to put the Discovery right in the heart of one,” says Matt Statham, Creative Director for the spot. It was the culmination of a five-day shoot first thought of months earlier and designed to announce to the world the arrival of the new Discovery – a reveal that represents a quantum leap forward for one of Land Rover’s most recognisable vehicles. “The vehicle has been been revolutionised in terms of both design and technology. It’s a significant advance from anything they’ve done previously,” says Statham. “So we wanted to create a bit of drama.” And drama they got. In the spot, while the sandstorm rages outside, Ainslie drives through the chaos in peace and quiet, thanks to the car’s composed capability and serene interior, to rescue his teammates. The Olympian revelled in taking the wheel. “He’s a professional sailor, so he’s pretty adept at adapting to different conditions and he loved the vehicle from the moment he saw it,” explains Statham. Perhaps too much. For one shot, Ainslie was required to race through the storm, hampering his visibility, and come as close to the camera as possible. He was a little too close for comfort, ending up two inches from the camera lens. “He knew what he was doing, and the cameraman was ready to get out of the way if needs be,” says Statham – “but it was pretty close.” NOW WATCH THE FILM Look out for the full video on youtube.com/landrover 17
Land Rover Magazine showcases stories from around the world that celebrate inner strength and the drive to go Above and Beyond.
In this issue, New Defender is put through its paces by two inspirational young adventurers as they prepare for an expedition to the South Pole. We also celebrate 50 years of Range Rover by taking a journey of discovery to Dubai. As well as looking back, we look to future as a group of visionaries explain the technologies that could change the future for all of us.
