Chicago Luvabulls Epic Photogrpah by Chicago Commercial Photographer Rashad Anabtawi — CHICAGO

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Benny the Bull joins the Chicago Luvabulls on top of the United Center to introduce the 2016-17 Luvabulls roster.

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The set was on the roof of the United Center in the South West Loop in Chicago. A drone above, the Chicago Luvabulls preformed a rhythmic routine while a professional film crew huddled behind the cameras and the video village.

Robo Aerial was contracted to shoot aerial drone footage for the Chicago Luvabulls on top of the United Center. Robo Aerial had brought me along for their own social media marketing, and also their behind the scenes photographs in order to document their workflow on set.

The commercial film set was produced by the in-house Chicago Bulls production crew. The team consisted of many professional artists who were young and eager to produce their craft. This was a very tight set, as everything was rehearsed over and over, all the camera movements and aerobic poses worked together in perfect harmony with each other. There were two Steadicams, two photographers, two drone pilots for one drone, and one video village. Everything needed was on the roof of the United Center.

Behind the Scene Photograph by Chiago Photographer Rashad Anabatwi of the DJI Inspire 1 Over the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls

A strong pose by the cheerleaders of the Chicago Bulls Photograph by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Most of the afternoon was spent blocking out the scenes, calibrating and balancing fancy tricks and gimmicks on a variety of cross-eyed monitors, as well as rehearsing with the talent in order to make sure that once the crew rolls we could have all the shots needed ready to go for each take.

Behind the Scene Photograph Between the dance routines by the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

The Chicago Luvabulls were flawless in their performance, clearly well rehearsed. The crew began rolling on rehearsals right at about golden hour, yet we were there many hours before, setting up gimbals, stedicams, drones, and tripods alike.

Behind The Scene Photograph by Chicago Unit Still Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Photograph by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi of an Awesome Pose by the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls Behind the Scenes Still

The United Center A Photograph by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi of the Chicago Skyline at Golden Hour

Behind the scenes Photograph by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of a Chicago bulls cheerleader

Behind the Scene Photograph by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Chicago Luvabull pose mid dance

Set Photograph by Chicago Unit Stills photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Luvabulls mid rouitne amidst the golden Chicago city backdrop

Young Chicago Luvabull Dancing on the Roof of the United Center Photograph by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Behind the Scenes Photograph by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of DJI Drone

A Chicago Luvabull Cheerleader striking pose Photography by Chicago photographer Rashad Anabtawi

DRONE TALK

Behind the Scenes Photograph by Chicago Set Photographer Rashad Anabtawi of the DJI Inspire 1

Behind the Scene Photograph by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of the DJI Insprie 1 in Golden Hour

Robo Aerial has a lot of drones within its fleet. The DJI Inspire 1 (this shoot was before even the DJI Inspire 2 was announced) was the best one for the job. Light, versatile and able operate with one or two pilots at a time (one camera operator and one drone pilot).

My job was to first take great behind the scene photos for both the client and Robo Aerial. When the drone was up I was supposed to watch the skies for any incoming planes, birds, helicopters, and other flying hazards.

NIGHT SHOOT

An Urban Photograph By Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Chicago City by Night

Behind the Scene Photograph by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of the Director, Cinematographer, and Drone Operator reviewing the footage

The time flew by fast, extremely unnoticeable, no one was complaining as everyone had something to do and everyone was good at what they did. The efficiency was rhythmic and productive.

As the night fell, there grew a sense of appreciation as the crew members looked out to see the magnificent city of Chicago looking back at them. An overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment rested on our shoulders. We were making good time, everyone was on their best.

A Candid Behind The Scene Photograph by Chicago Set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of the Cast and Crew in Chicago City

Picture of Light Patterns on Set Photograph by Chicago Unit Stills Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Behind the Scene Photograph by Chicago Set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Young Steadicam Operator

Candid Behind the Scene Photograph by Chicago Unit Still Photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Cold Luvabull Cheerleader

The city of Chicago created some great bokeh in the backgrounds for this night portion of the shoot. I was able to get more out of the Canon 70-200 mm f/2.8 than expected. Extremely bright circular colors spread around the canvas made me mesmerized within the picture frame.

As the night grew older, the temperature dropped drastically as the wind picked up and people were beginning to get tired. We had to get only a few more shots.

Thanks to the physical exercise these women had to do in order to endure long hours of dancing, they were extremely on point and in sync when the director yelled action. The behind the scenes video below shows that they did during rehearsal time!

Mid-pose candid Photograph of the Chicago Luvabulls by Chicago Commercial Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Commercial Photograph of the Chicago Luvabulls By Chicago Commercial Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Action shot Chicago Luvabulls by Chicago Photographer Rashad Anabtawi

Behind the Scene Still by Chicago set photographer Rashad Anabtawi of Benny The Bull Relaxing his Noise Baton

At the end of the day, the crew and the talent were all very professional and spectacular. The crew made a working environment on set akin more to play.

I will always be thankful to Robo Aerial and the Chicago Bulls for having me along on this epic shoot of grand proportions.

The last video to be shown below is a behind the scene video shoot by the super talented secondary splinter unit of the Chicago Bulls media and marketing team.

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