2D lead artist Tara DeMarco oversaw the shoot where, in a single shot, the runner sped out of the grocery aisle and onto the winner's pedestal.

DeMarco comments: "Harold & I had a series of collaborative pre-production chats before we shot Milk - we met and talked about this sequence at least four times beforehand. We suggested the choreography for the run sequence via Skype, which he then shot a practical test of on a football field with his producer, Eric Liney. We took that test and previs-ed it to different timings with alternative javelin extensions and overall runs. They then built that super long aisle and podium in a studio at Universal and rehearsed with their actors (who were professional Olympic athletes) on the pre-light day. By the time we got to shoot day all the actions of the transformation were well-rehearsed, well-timed and working smoothly!" 

Working with Olympians has its practical perks, too. Adds Demarco: "The athletes had a break after 10 takes and came back faster than the camera car!"