56 FEATURE CAMERA MOVEMENT
smaller, compact, more cost-effective version of the MRMC Bolt Cinebot, one of the fastest and most advanced motion control rigs in the world. This high-speed, compact six- axes camera robot arm has been specially developed for film studios, photographic studios and for tabletop work where studio space and budget are a key criterion. Being small and lightweight, Bolt JR is also easier to manoeuvre and transport. Available in pedestal and on- track versions, the Bolt JR cinebot is a smaller, lighter high-speed robotic arm version of the original Bolt coming in at half the weight, at 110kg. It has an arm reach of 1.2m and can move high-speed on-track at over 3m/s with a camera payload up to 12kg. Camera robots can empower the cameraman, motion control operator and photography director to get the camera exactly where it needs to be for tight camera angles, special effects and to capture all the action and drama. Controlling and programming Bolt JR uses the MRMC Flair system. Bolt JR with Flair offers a variety of automated functions and precision repeat functions. For complete flexibility, Bolt JR can also automate lighting, trigger synchronised SFX time codes, rig movement or model movement. You’ll see Bolt Junior at this year’s NAB exhibition this April. MOTORIZED PRECISION Motorized Precision is based in Portland, Oregon and was founded by professional photographers and filmmakers. Its robots live in a similar world to the Bolt range producing
high-precision moves as smoothly as possible and at any angle. The robots allow you to save presets and create alternative versions of moves with frame-by-frame control. You can also create frame-accurate control by triggering them with time code. Directors, cinematographers and operators can view live previews as shots are being set up and performed. Playback integration allows for reviewing shots quickly and intuitively. You can also pre-visualise your move, import and export 3D camera data from industry standard applications, like Maya. Motorized Precision started its line of robots with the Kira 1.0 which
ABOVE Motorized Precision’s programming software.
BOTH THESE COMPANIES ARE STRIVING TO MAKE MOTION CONTROL FASTER
had a reach of 1.63m. The follow-up, the Kira 2.0, went on to have a reach of 2.03m and the brand-new robot, called the Mia, is a smaller version at 1.1m in reach. Mia has single phase power and is around 54kg in weight. In this world that is very portable and adaptable as you can just plug into either 220V or 110V. Motorized Precision runs its devices from their own studio, called the MP Studio, which controls all of their robots through external high-speed track systems, turntables, dolly and FIZ systems. Both these companies are striving to make motion control faster and more intuitive for everyone to use and to demystify the old thinking of it being expensive, taking forever to set up and use and only getting a few shots a day. Motorized Precision claims it can set up in 20 minutes, can achieve upward of 30-40 shots a day easily, and that programming is very simple to achieve using its keyframe-based timeline interface.
ABOVE Two new robotic camera systems. Bolt Junior (right) and MP’s Mia.
DEFINITION MARCH 2018
DEFINITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Powered by FlippingBook