A breathtaking scene of Tom Cruise's fall, lasting just over 20 seconds on screen, required seven cameras on set. This moment is part of the latest film by director Na Hong-jin, titled 'Hope.'
The special effects for the action sequences in this film were overseen by Steven Oh, a veteran in Hollywood's special effects industry. Oh was responsible for six of the seven cameras used in the cliff diving scene featuring Tom Cruise in 'Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.' During his visit to Busan, he shared insights about his work.
Technology Behind Hollywood's Iconic Scenes... Innovation in Special Effects Continues with 'Hope'
Oh dedicated a significant portion of the interview to discussing the cliff jump scene in 'Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.' He recalled, "We were responsible for six of the seven cameras. Given the high stakes of the shoot, which could not be repeated, we set up three monitors to ensure everything went smoothly." He estimated that the cost for this single scene exceeded 30 billion won.
Existing equipment could not keep up with Cruise's speed or withstand the strong winds at the cliff. Oh noted, "It was impossible with standard drones, so we created a custom drone specifically for that scene."
His journey into designing and building filming equipment began over a decade ago when commercial drones were only capable of carrying small cameras. With no drones available to support heavy film cameras, he took on the challenge of designing a 25 kg drone. Lacking access to carbon fiber propellers, he crafted them from wood and machined metal parts himself.
The turning point came during the Australian shoot of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.' When the cinematographer pointed out the limitations of existing equipment, Oh committed to developing a solution, stating, "If I can't do it in three weeks, then it's off."
He successfully launched the first drone in just two and a half weeks, although it crashed during test flights. However, he quickly deployed a second drone, completing six months of filming without further issues.
Today, XM2's drones have evolved to support payloads of up to 100 kg, capable of carrying heavy digital cinema cameras like the Alexa 65. They were even used for filming in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia for the movie 'Harbin,' at the request of cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo.
XM2's technology is also being adapted for disaster response. A tethered drone connected by fiber optic cable can hover at 120 meters for two to three weeks, transmitting data. This equipment acts as a temporary base station in areas where communication networks have been completely severed due to earthquakes or wildfires, and is currently in use by major U.S. telecommunications companies like Verizon.
In major disasters, electricity and communication networks are often the first to fail. When base stations are destroyed, it becomes impossible to request rescue or inform family members of one's status. Oh emphasized, "The ability to send a simple message saying 'I'm okay' can make a huge difference in emergencies." He explained that allowing isolated victims to communicate their conditions can significantly aid rescue teams in prioritizing their efforts.
The drones are also equipped with powerful lights for nighttime rescue operations, allowing them to illuminate areas without needing to land for battery changes.
Seven Months of Collaboration on Na Hong-jin's 'Hope'... "Korean Cinema is Changing in Flavor, Not Just Level"
Recently, Oh completed a seven-month journey working on the action sequences for Na Hong-jin's 'Hope,' traveling between Jeju, Haenam, Hapcheon, and Romania. He directed the use of Steadicams, cranes, and wire filming, and developed new equipment specifically for this project.
When asked about the changes in Korean cinema, he offered an interesting perspective: "It's not that the level has risen, but the 'flavor' has changed. It was already excellent, but now there's a new recipe added to the mix."
Regarding Busan, the city known for its film industry, he noted, "There isn't a lack of resources, but there has been a tendency for the results to look somewhat similar. Projects like 'Hope' have introduced new changes in that regard."
A Broken Ankle Changed His Life... Starting Point for Attracting Hollywood Productions to Seoul
Although he is now a world-renowned special effects expert, Oh's journey began far from the film industry. Growing up in Australia with a father who was a taekwondo instructor, he studied chemical engineering in college.
The turning point in his life came during his sophomore year when he suffered a severe injury while participating in extreme sports. A ski jump accident shattered his right ankle, leading to four surgeries and eight months in a cast, during which he lost all his hair due to the side effects of strong painkillers. He received the devastating news from doctors that he might never walk again.
While in Korea for rehabilitation, he stumbled into a job as an interpreter and driver, which led him to an advertising shoot. When filming permits were not granted, he persuaded the authorities to allow the shoot, catching the attention of the cinematographer who encouraged him to enter the film industry.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, "If it weren't for the time of despair when my ankle was broken and my hair fell out, I wouldn't be here today."
Currently, XM2 operates with a team of 22, with three teams of about five members each working on projects worldwide. With headquarters in Melbourne and offices in Los Angeles and London, they recently opened a branch in Seoul. They are also currently filming different projects in Canada and the UK.
Following his involvement in 'Hope,' the Korean film industry has shown increasing interest in his work, leading to a growing presence in Korea. Oh plans to expand his business into producing films.
He stated, "Since I know all the know-how from A to Z in filming, I can offer a 'one-stop shop' for production. If everything goes as planned, we will attract several Hollywood productions to Korea."
Despite his busy schedule traveling the globe, he expressed, "I don't believe in time differences," showcasing his characteristic energy. During his visit to Busan, he humorously recounted waiting in line for 45 minutes at a pork soup restaurant near Gwangalli Beach, saying, "I thought all pork soups were the same, but they are definitely different." His affection for Korea was evident.
After delivering a lecture on 'LIFE & FAITH' at the '2026 Costa World in Busan,' Oh's next destination is Los Angeles. His journey across the Pacific from Busan continues as he embraces new challenges in filming technology, and the industry will be watching closely to see what new equipment and techniques he will bring to life.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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