Apple/Brad Pitt F1 Movie

[Richard C]

I am creating a thread as a home for discussion on the topic of the new movie that is currently under production. To kick off things I had a few items I found interesting...

First is the sponsorship shown on the car. It's a mixture of existing F1 sponsors and new. As they are not a real team, but will be in front of the target audience of F1 sponsors, it is interesting to me as to who and how the sponsors showed up on the car.

Existing F1 sponsorship/supplier
* Pirelli
* MSC Cruises

Shared sponsorship with Mercedes
* IWC Schaffhausen
* Tommy Hilfiger
* AMG

New via Apple
* Expensify
* Shark/Ninja
* Geico
* EA Sports

The article below talks about how Apple sold sponsorship on the car. I wonder what the rate card was for this for the new sponsors? And if the shared sponsors with Mercedes/F1 were maybe part of compensation for both of their contributions (F1 in general and Mercedes for the body on the GP2 car)

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.co...brad-pitt.aspx

Second is the topic of Brad Pitt and F1

Sky had a good interview between Pitt and Brundle. I assume all is now well after Pitt shrugged off Brundle's interview attempt at last years US GP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjC5l3cYug

In the interview Brad says he really hasn't had time in a race car. But in another article it calls out that as part of the project work with Mercedes, they talk about how Mercedes sent him off to a racing school in France

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/m...ovie/10493113/

As to the movie itself. I post earlier in another thread and will try to not fully repeat that post...

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthre...86#post4167186

But in general, the movie will have to work hard to not use common racing movie tropes that we will roll our eyes at. And while there is good non-fiction drama in F1, it may not always be enough to carry a movie. So we should expect things to be overly dramatic for entertainment purposes. I assume like most I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst when it comes to motorsports movies.

Richard

[E.B]

Why on earth would I want to watch a fictional Hollywood account of F1, using fictional Wannabee F1 cars, when I can watch the real thing either live a couple of dozen times a year to saturation or on demand 24/7 from the comfort of my lounge-room?

Asking for a friend.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

Why on earth would I want to watch a fictional Hollywood account of F1, using fictional Wannabee F1 cars, when I can watch the real thing either live a couple of dozen times a year to saturation or on demand 24/7 from the comfort of my lounge-room?

Asking for a friend.

I view that sort of like ask why would you watch Star Wars if you can just watch SpaceX launches on YouTube on a nearly weekly basis.

I am not saying this new movie is going to be Star Wars level of cultural impact, but if you look at the few good racing movies, how much "on track" action is there? For sure there is always going to be some set piece racing scenes (such as the extended Monaco and Monza scenes in "Grand Prix"), but overall it is going to be a story set within the F1 universe.

But this is going to be how many F1 fans will look at it. Lets say the movie is considered to be "good" by the average viewer. They may call out things like "I really enjoyed the story of how the experience driver helped the new driver" while F1 fans will say "Did you see the driver close ups in the car? No tear offs on his helmet! Complete garbage of a movie!! Unwatchable!!!"

Richard

[Mike Harte]

I wonder what the end product will be like because Hamilton, as well as "coaching" Pitt, is also one of the producers of the film. I assume that that means he may have had to put his hand on a chequebook too.


To add to the question about "sponsors" on the car and racing apparel, as Hamilton is involved in the project, it is possible that he has had some influence on who came on board as they may also be his personal backers rather than Mercedes.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I wonder what the end product will be like because Hamilton, as well as "coaching" Pitt, is also one of the producers of the film. I assume that that means he may have had to put his hand on a chequebook too.

I agree. Plus Mercedes involvement. I hope it results in the F1 universe being relatively accurate. Based upon that interview between Pitt and Brundle, it sounds like they are trying to get it right.

While I will have access to Apple TV+ content, I can't help to be a bit disappointed that distribution is limited to a relatively smaller platform. And this may result in limited viewership vs. a wider distribution deal. I assume that the movie was pitched to various studios and Apple Studios/Apple TV+ are the ones who won the distribution rights.

Richard

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I agree. Plus Mercedes involvement. I hope it results in the F1 universe being relatively accurate. Based upon that interview between Pitt and Brundle, it sounds like they are trying to get it right.

While I will have access to Apple TV+ content, I can't help to be a bit disappointed that distribution is limited to a relatively smaller platform. And this may result in limited viewership vs. a wider distribution deal. I assume that the movie was pitched to various studios and Apple Studios/Apple TV+ are the ones who won the distribution rights.

Richard

It is having a global theatre release too.

Guaranteed minimum of 30 days, possibly extending to 60 days before moving to the streaming platform.

[steve_r]

Q: Will it be as good as "Rush"?

A: No.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

But in general, the movie will have to work hard to not use common racing movie tropes that we will roll our eyes at.

endless upshifting always has me wondering how many gears does a movie race car have!

[S griffin]

I was intrigued to see how the film would go, despite the Drivel style plot. However Pitt playing a driver who's making a return after a 30 year absence just does not make sense. I can't see that happening in any sport, let alone F1. The youngest driver who last raced in F1 30 years ago is Emanuele Naspetti, who is 55

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

However Pitt playing a driver who's making a return after a 30 year absence just does not make sense. I can't see that happening in any sport, let alone F1. The youngest driver who last raced in F1 30 years ago is Emanuele Naspetti, who is 55

Remember it's Hollywood so a bit of poetic license in terms of what is realistic is expected.

Just because something has not happened previously, doesn't mean it can't happen in the future.

If you want an example of a long break from top level motorsport before returning - Sobies?aw Jan Zasada is your man.

[steve_r]

Cool. Will it have a gym / workout montage, set to some upbeat inspiring music, whereby the fat old overweight driver transforms themselves into a chiselled hunk with a 6 pack?

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Cool. Will it have a gym / workout montage, set to some upbeat inspiring music, whereby the fat old overweight driver transforms themselves into a chiselled hunk with a 6 pack?

They clearly need to do a homage to this (maybe only those who enjoyed the 80's will get this) including using the same music...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIgJenz0ZK4

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Thanks for the thread, good idea Richard Casto!

Your welcome! And feel free to call me Richard.

Richard

[Gerard C]

I will go and watch it "at a theatre near you". I've been disappointed with many listed here (not forgetting LM66 so stupid imo) and my favourites remain the real Le Mans by Steve McQueen and Grand Prix even if I'm quite aware they mainly used FJ's in F1 guise. Still love the sound tracks too. Age and bad taste help to make up my choices sometimes. And John Frankenheimer was second to none to chose the right cars.

Thanks for the thread, good idea Richard Casto!

[GT6]

To be honest most motor racing films have on release been dissapointing but after a time they seem to get better, however some do hit the mark first time, le mans 66 was great and Rush was brilllant in MHO

[Skam85]

As long as you don't over analyse every finer detail and just appreciate it for some entertainment I'm sure it will be great.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Skam85

As long as you don't over analyse every finer detail and just appreciate it for some entertainment I'm sure it will be great.

Point well made!

[Sodemo]

Rush was ok, although for me the weakest parts of racing films is the actual racing. They rarely get it right and nearly always use the same “press the gas pedal harder” in order to overtake cars at an “emotionally crucial story moment” crutch. Also I think I spotted every real location for what it was in Rush, filming at Brands Hatch and putting a few Agip, Ferrari and Italian flags in the background didn’t fool me into thinking it was Fiorano.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Skam85

As long as you don't over analyse every finer detail and just appreciate it for some entertainment I'm sure it will be great.

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Rush was ok, although for me the weakest parts of racing films is the actual racing. They rarely get it right and nearly always use the same “press the gas pedal harder” in order to overtake cars at an “emotionally crucial story moment” crutch. Also I think I spotted every real location for what it was in Rush, filming at Brands Hatch and putting a few Agip, Ferrari and Italian flags in the background didn’t fool me into thinking it was Fiorano.

I think these two comments go well together. As 'F1 Fans' we will over-analyse every final detail, criticise all of the corny 'press the gas pedal harder' moments and try to spot the 'real' film locations.
I know I will and will take great enjoyment from doing so!

[Greem]

I spent the entire length of Rush muttering "Donington Cadwell Snetterton Brands Oulton" at the racing scenes. Some bits I found really uncomfortable as they were going in the wrong direction!

Except the Lauda crash, which they filmed at the actual site in Germany. Cleverly, from the same camera position as in the original footage.

Good film. I enjoyed it, even with the embellishments.

As to the Pitt film - I got a close look at one of the cars in the Merc paint shop a couple of weeks ago, the way they'd tweaked the base GP2 car was really clever. We did hear though that the engine noise will be overdubbed as the cars still have the older V8 in them!

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Greem

As to the Pitt film - I got a close look at one of the cars in the Merc paint shop a couple of weeks ago, the way they'd tweaked the base GP2 car was really clever. We did hear though that the engine noise will be overdubbed as the cars still have the older V8 in them!

did you take that to mean that all the cars will have their sound overdubbed to match the V8s in the GP2 cars or that all the cars would be overdubbed to sound like the current F1 cars?

or even will all the cars just just be overdubbed to sound like the more visceral engines sounds of the past?

either way, a very very tall order overdubbing sound and having it match the reality of being there particularly with how sounds bounce around the track, cars off in the distance, different notes from different manus engines etc

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

did you take that to mean that all the cars will have their sound overdubbed to match the V8s in the GP2 cars or that all the cars would be overdubbed to sound like the current F1 cars?

or even will all the cars just just be overdubbed to sound like the more visceral engines sounds of the past?

Given their desire to be authentic, I would assume they are going to match the GP2 car to the current F1 cars

Originally Posted by chillibowl

either way, a very very tall order overdubbing sound and having it match the reality of being there particularly with how sounds bounce around the track, cars off in the distance, different notes from different manus engines etc

Two thoughts...

1. I doesn't have to be accurate. It just has to be good enough. It's not like anyone is going to be doing spectral analysis.

2. I expect those who are responsible, if they care to make it sound right, they will be able to do so. For the sound design staff, that is all they do. Mixing dialog, ambient sounds, ADR, etc.

Richard

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Given their desire to be authentic, I would assume they are going to match the GP2 car to the current F1

That is how I understood it.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Two thoughts...

1. I doesn't have to be accurate. It just has to be good enough. It's not like anyone is going to be doing spectral analysis.

2. I expect those who are responsible, if they care to make it sound right, they will be able to do so. For the sound design staff, that is all they do. Mixing dialog, ambient sounds, ADR, etc.

Richard

fair to be sure but it is still a difficult thing to do properly and people do notice. an accurate representation within a 3d soundscape/dolby atmos equipped theater will most likely be something 'us' type of fans will be keeping a ear open for no? it adds to the level of immersion and thus adds to believability.

maybe not the most important thing to focus on, but right up there imo.

Ron Howard on Rush:

Even the sound design in Rush syncs with the cars on screen. Ron Howard said, “…everybody who loves F1 talks about the sound. If you go to a race, you hear the cars before you [saw] them, and you’ve already had an experience before you laid your eyes on the cars. And it was vital to get it right. People can tell the difference between the various engines.” When you see Lauda’s Ferrari in the film, you hear Lauda’s Ferrari. The sound recordist picked up the audio of all the cars.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/archiv...t-of-1970s-f1/

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

1. I doesn't have to be accurate. It just has to be good enough. It's not like anyone is going to be doing spectral analysis.

But as with 'Le Mans '66' the social media accuracy police will rip it to shreds if it isn't.....

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Two thoughts...
1. I doesn't have to be accurate. It just has to be good enough. It's not like anyone is going to be doing spectral analysis.
2. I expect those who are responsible, if they care to make it sound right, they will be able to do so. For the sound design staff, that is all they do. Mixing dialog, ambient sounds, ADR, etc.

Its Hollywood. Its a movie not a documentary. Think I'll watch it twice if not more. 1 and 2 are good points imo.
He even unzips his suit at the top, because the man is biologically flame-resistant! To hell with it!
Pitt looks in F1 gear. The man's strutting across the grass in a white suit, has ads for god-knows-what all over it

https://www.esquire.com/entertainmen...ailer-details/