Behind the scenes of the most popular YouTube channel, MrBeast's team discloses: Piles of camera carcasses fill the camera cases.
The YouTube sensation, MrBeast, boasts the most subscribers across the platform, renowned for flamboyant challenges and charitable deeds. But his extravagant style doesn't stop at the content – it seeps into the production process too, including risky camera placements.
During the Bild Expo in New York City, we witnessed a candid conversation between the heads of camera and post-production for MrBeast. Ryan Elwell, head of camera department, and Joshua Kulic, head of post and executive producer at Beast Games, admitted to no limits, even if it meant destroying cameras to get the perfect shot.
"Nothing is off limits, and I love that about MrBeast," Elwell proclaimed. "I've put a lot of equipment in very compromising situations, and I will continue to do it for the video, for the end product. If that train is going to be hitting a Lamborghini, I'm going to be putting a camera right there, and there goes that camera, but it's worth it for the shot."
Kulic added, "We have melted carcasses of cameras just lining the camera case."
As for their choice of equipment, they don't favor one brand over another. They'll use anything – from Arri and Reds to Canon, Sony, GoPro, and iPhones – as long as they can capture the desired angle and have the least impact on the environment.
The psychology of the shot also plays a significant role in their decision-making. Sometimes, a large camera points at a contestant may skew the fairness of the game, so they might opt for small cameras hidden in costumes or lenses with long reach instead.
The team behind MrBeast is massive, but they stress collaboration and effective communication from the planning process to post-production. The MrBeast team currently holds the world record for the most cameras filming simultaneously on a reality TV show. During one of their episodes, they broke 44 Guinness Records, including the most cinema cameras used for a single reality TV season.
In post-production, the video editors focus on emotion and storytelling. They analyze the scene to find the natural storytelling elements that resonate with the audience while maintaining the high-paced, engaging style characteristic of the channel.
Even as they break records and push the envelope, the team remains aware of the need to outdo their previous work in each video to maintain the loyalty of their dedicated audience. And Kulic advises aspiring filmmakers to start small, focusing on one camera and gradually scaling up to tackle larger projects.
- MrBeast's camera department head, Ryan Elwell, revealed that they have no restrictions, even if it means damaging gear to secure the perfect shot, such as placing a camera on a train headed towards a Lamborghini.
- Joshua Kulic, head of post and executive producer at Beast Games, shared that they use a variety of cameras and equipment, from high-end brands like Arri and Red to more accessible options like Canon, Sony, GoPro, and iPhones.
- During a candid conversation at the Bild Expo in New York City, the team admitted to sacrificing cameras to get the desired shot, with lining the camera case with melted camera carcasses as a testament to this.
- The MrBeast team prioritizes collaboration and effective communication from the planning process to post-production, setting a world record for the most cameras filming simultaneously on a reality TV show.
- In post-production, the team focuses on emotion and storytelling, analyzing scenes to find natural elements that resonate with the audience while maintaining the high-paced, engaging style characteristic of the channel.
- Aspiring filmmakers, according to Kulic, should start small, focusing on one camera, and gradually scale up to tackle larger projects, similar to the growth of the MrBeast team in the realm of gadgets, photography, technology, news, video, portrait, and even challenging reality TV shows.
