Filming in the GTC

Sheila Crosby and a 38,000 € camera inside GTC, La Palma
Me having a go with the 38,000 € camera




On Wednesday, after watching la subida de la virgen, I had a fun job, helping to film an advert for Jaguar inside the GTC. They’re going to digitally add Stephen Hawking into the ad later.

Setting up a shot for the Jaguar advert, GTC, La Palma
Setting up a shot for the Jaguar advert

My part was much less glamourous than it sounds. All I did was remind people of the safety rules and liase between the film crew and the telescope staff. Well, I also answered a bunch of technical questions about the telescope, and drank their coffee. I didn’t really use their camera.

Most of the filming was done on the telescope’s Nasmyth platform. It’s higher up than you’d think.

Looking down from the Nasmyth platform, GTC, La Palma
Looking down from the Nasmyth platform

Of course there were various glitches, but the inside shooting was done by 7 pm, and they moved outside for the last shot. They didn’t need me for that, so I went home.

Gran Telescopio Canarias with the dome open, Roque de Los Muchachos observatory, La Palma
Gran Telescopio Canarias with the dome open

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

This article has 2 Comments

  1. Thanks.

    Did you know that Superwasp does much the same thing as Keppler, but it only cost half a million Euros?

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