Creating High Octane Action on a Shoestring: The Story behind ‘The Pickup’
When you lose your job in a pandemic, some might say it’s not the ideal time to make a movie. But for Nicholas Acosta, that’s exactly what he decided to do. After being out of work for almost a year, he and his then-girlfriend, Xenia Leblanc, began to get restless. After having some success making short films at home, they craved a new project – a full-blown action film!
The birth of ‘The Pickup’
Acosta and Leblanc might have been ambitious, but they weren’t whisked away by fantasies. They knew they didn’t have the big-budget of a Hollywood film. Nevertheless, Acosta had an idea: a riveting car chase, a backbone of many an action film. From that, ‘The Pickup’ was born.
The first scene he imagined was a cool female spy, Alpha, strolling in slow motion from a departing helicopter. Add in an Uber driver who picks her up, and they had a story. The simple, yet intriguing logline is: a clueless Uber driver picks up a government spy. Soon, he’s tossed into a thrilling game of chase, in a dangerous rat-race around the city.
Harnessing their limitless ambition and Acosta’s experience in VFX, editing, and cinematography, they still faced some major hurdles. The biggest among them was shooting citywide chase scenes on a shoestring budget. Yet, they didn’t dial back their plans. Instead, they embraced the challenges and started script-writing.
An Unrivaled Cast
Being in a pandemic meant having a limited crew. So, Leblanc and Acosta turned to their friends. Leblanc, being an accomplished actress with roles in ‘Orange Is the New Black’, ‘Black Widow’ and ‘The Boys’, was the perfect fit for Alpha. Adam McArthur, a good friend and foil for Leblanc, joined as the ah-so-clueless Uber driver. The rest of the small crew was made up of their friends, who not only acted but also worked behind the scenes.
Dressing Rehearsal
So how do you shoot an action-filled car chase without the actual chase? By using an iPhone and a stationary car! Before the main filming began, they shot all the scenes inside the car. These rough shots were blended with sequences from big cost Hollywood films to create the perfect storyboard.
Shooting Downtown LA on a Budget
With most scenes planned out, they hit downtown LA’s streets. With limited permissions, they had to be resourceful. They used acar-mounted Blackmagic Pocket 4K camera, an iPhone, a GoPro Hero 9 and a drone for filming. Several scenes were shot by Acosta hanging out of a car window; always making sure to prioritize safety, of course. They followed all road rules and filmed at lower frame rates to give an illusion of speed in the movie.
Patience and Perseverance: Editing ‘The Pickup’
The crew was clever in using miniature toy cars for the crash scenes, filmed under similar lighting conditions. These were meticulously edited into CGI scenes, with added layers for extra realism.
A year and twelve intense shooting days later, they wrapped up. The film even premiered at the Dances With Films festival and got the attention of some big-name filmmakers. According to Acosta, the goal was always to show that high-level action films are possible on a budget. All you need is unwavering dedication, a solid vision, and hopefully, a supremely supportive partner for an enjoyable ride!
