Shooting a Hero

Shooting a Hero was a short documentary related to the Believe advertising campaign for Halo 3. It is an overview of Jake Courage's work for an exhibition, narrated by his son John.

Transcript

Shooting a Hero

An exhibition of photographs by Jake Courage

The camera pans through a small exhibition room, and the framed prints of Jake Courage's wartime photography.

• John Courage: This exhibition is in honor of my father, Jake Courage. He was a groundbreaking war photographer, and found himself documenting the greatest battle to ever take place on Earth.

The camera cuts to a zoom-in on one of the photos, a Marine hoisting his fellow soldier onto his back, in the midst of battle in the background.

• John Courage: His unlimited access to the UNSC regiment resulted in a series of photographs that are unrivaled in our world's history.

The camera cuts to a portrait of John-117 duel-wielding SMGs in the foreground, taking up the rightmost third of the photograph. In the background, a Covenant battlecruiser and two Phantoms hang in the air above John, partially obscured by clouds.

• John Courage: He witnessed firsthand the greatest hero of all time: Master Chief, and all he did to save humanity from the brink of extinction.

A photograph is shown of two Marines huddled behind cover. The first Marine is visibly emotional, while the second Marine is stone-faced.

• John Courage: Through his documentation, my father has enabled the world to be privy to these heroic acts.

A photograph is shown of a group of Marines running across the battlefield, away from the photographer. Another photograph shows a pair of Marines, one of them peaking behind a concrete pillar.

A framed portrait of John-117, with light reflecting off his visor. The camera gradually zooms into his visor.

• John Courage: This photo is arguably the most famous and thought-provoking portrait of all time. The last known shot of Master Chief. We know that at the time this was taken he was completely surrounded by Covenant forces, and that he was holding the grenade that has enabled human existence today. This is also the last photograph my father ever took. I think he always knew he'd die in battle. He placed the importance of getting these incredible shots far ahead of his own safety.

A photograph is shown of a group of Marines half-buried in quicksand during battle. With the ground up to their stomachs and even their chests, the Marines try to keep their arms and assault rifles from getting stuck as well. Another photograph is shown of a Marine behind cover, with half his face obscured by the assault rifle he is clutching, quickly proceeded by a close-up photo of a Brute, roaring at the camera.

• John Courage: War photographers are meant to be protected by the international convention of armed warfare, but this war didn't have any rules. Humanity shouldn't have won this battle. The odds were stacked against us. If it hadn't been for Master Chief, Earth would be a very different place.

Cuts back to the small exhibition room, with Jake Courage's photos framed and hung onits walls.

sponsored by...

Xbox 360 Live, Halo 3, Pearl & Dean

www.jakecourage.com

game rated 15

("15" label from the BBFC)

Trivia

At least some of the photographs in Jake Courage's exhibition were taken from scenes depicted in the John-117 Monument diorama. This can be seen when compared to Diorama's associated Flash movie.