Mustang Touge: Night Shift
The original Mustang Touge Battle was a visual symphony that showcased the raw power of the 2023 Mustang RTR Spec 5-Ds and the precise driving skills of Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea DeNofa. However, the sequel had to eclipse that – it needed to be bolder, more thrilling, and more visually impactful. We needed to create something thats never been done before.
Vaughn and Chelsea became more than drivers; they were maestros of a symphony composed of tire rubber and asphalt, their 2024 RTR Spec 5-D Mustangs the instruments. The dramatic transitions from the vibrant daytime to the tranquility of night mirrored our ambition to raise the bar, not just from the previous Mustang Touge but for what an automotive video could be.
Capturing this spectacle was no small feat. It involved closing off scenic roads at Fontana Dam, which is no stranger to epic backdrops, having graced screens in blockbusters like "The Fugitive." For two days and nights, this stretch of asphalt became the stage for a carefully choreographed dance of man, machine, and nature.
The RTR Media Team and several other professionals behind the production pushed the envelope by utilizing cinema-grade anamorphic lenses to capture the Mustangs in a way that blurs the lines between just another car video and a blockbuster film. If you aren’t familiar with the anamorphic lenses, here is some quick info to give you a better understanding of what they are used for.
Anamorphic lenses squeeze the image onto film or digital camera sensors, allowing for wider aspect ratios than what is possible with traditional lenses. The result is more cinematic imagery with shallower depth-of-field and an oval bokeh effect. Anamorphic lenses also cast a unique lens flare that you can see as an example below.
We used several unique camera angles and transitions to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. This included camera angles mounted on chase cars such as the 2024 Mustang RTR Spec 2 and Mustang Mach-E RTR.
FPV Drones captured the intensity and proximity of the RTR Mustangs as they swept through the scenic roads of the Great Smoky Mountains while traditional drones captured the insane mountainous views we were surrounded by.
Car-mounted camera rigs were also utilized on the inside and outside of the RTR Mustangs to capture how raw and visceral they are to drive.
The stretch of road that was used for this video production had all types of terrain to traverse as the production team captured the shots.
Some of the RTR Drift Team Mechanics were also on site during the shoot to make sure the Mustang RTR Spec 5-Ds were always running flawlessly. Huge shoutout to these guys for always keeping things running smoothly.
Mustang Touge 2, Night Shift doesn't just show Mustangs drifting but tells a story through every frame, angle, and transition, from the dusky hues of twilight to the stark contrasts of daylight. The mountains themselves became characters in this narrative, their looming presence a perfect backdrop for the Mustangs' performance.
The comparison to last year's video is inevitable, but Night Shift stands out for its heightened intensity. The transitions from night to day aren't just visual effects; they're metaphors for the evolution of the Mustang Touge concept itself, evolving from a video into an experience. Enjoy some more images from this production below.
