Rich Hoffmann
It’s done! The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) was completed in late 2024, wrapping up three years of construction for the University of Pennsylvania and three years of filming for 215 Timelapse.
Over the past three years, Penn had asked me to produce several shorter clips to share on their social media. Eventually, I wove all of that footage into the longer compilation reel above, which was shown on a loop at the VLEST opening ceremony.
A meta moment: our timelapse loop of the building playing in the space where it was filmed...
This project used two filmmaking methods I’ve written about before—hyperlapse and long-term timelapse—and a newer technique, first-person view (FPV) drone filming. I needed an experienced pro to help me create some epic footage of the VLEST interior—and I knew just who to ask.
Will Strathmann is an accomplished FPV pilot and cinematographer whose clients include National Geographic, Super Bowl contenders, and Grammy-winning musicians. But to me, he’s just Will, someone I’ve known since he was six years old and part of my wife’s inaugural class of first-grade students. We reconnected after I learned of his career in photography and filmmaking, and we first worked together a decade ago on a fundraising film for the Chester Charter Scholars Academy.
Original planning talks with Penn had centered around timelapse, but I knew FPV would highlight the building’s interior in a unique, exciting way and pushed for Will’s involvement in the project. Penn agreed, and the results speak for themselves.
Will and I planned each shot together, combining my familiarity with the building and his knowledge of the drone’s capabilities. On site, I directed our student extras’ walking paths and advised them to “act casual” as the drone whizzed by. Between takes, we adjusted students’ routes, the height of aerial shots, and how long the drone and students should linger at key points.
The view East before construction begins with our free-standing, solar powered camera box
Rich finalizes the second camera angle looking West as construction starts
A short-term timelapse capturing the first concrete pour
A rooftop interview with Matt Lane, Associate Provost for Finance and Planning at UPenn
A short-term timelapse of the first day of steel installation
Early morning setup of the last concrete pour on the roof
Performing routine quarterly maintenance on the camera looking West as the building takes shape
A lower angle capturing the courtyard's transformation
We mounted one camera to a street post to capture the main entrance's completion
A sunrise motion-control dolly timelapse of the completed building
An adjacent parking garage offers a sliver of view to highlight the building's unique sunshades
That's a wrap! The grand opening included a colorful light show
—Alex Schein, Director of Digital Communications, Penn Arts & Sciences
