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10 Common MoCo Inquiries
1. I don’t do special effects, why use a Motion Control rig?
A Motion Control rig is designed to be very easy and quick to program in the desired move. Once the move is programmed it can be repeated again and again, at different speeds, or with adjustments, with complete accuracy. This means that if one is shooting an object that is very difficult to light properly (due to shape, reflections, lens flares etc.), such as a car, one can program in the move quickly and then spend all one’s time on setting up the lights, moving slowly back and forth through the move to check how it appears through camera, without worrying if the move will be the same next time the camera is moved (note: traditionally cameras are moved by hand, using many "grips" - large men - so the motion will be different every time without Motion Control.
2. I do mostly live-action shooting, why use Motion Control?
Again, because the rig will repeat the movement very accurately, including focus-pulling, zooms, and even control lights and moving set props, one can concentrate on just the actors and making sure they do their action correctly, without worrying if the grips will do the right move on the next take. This also saves money by saving on the required personnel and time taken for a shot.
Particularly when using high income actors ("talent") it may be desirable to program in the camera movement beforehand, and then when everything is ready, get the talent in, and shoot straight away, so that they spend as little time on set as possible.
3. How long does it take to prepare a move?
This really depends on the complexity of the move, but storing the positions the camera should go through and then running the basic move is a matter of minutes. Then adjusting it slightly and getting the exact move desired may depend on the lighting, subject matter, and even the director.
4. How long does it take to set up on location?
Assuming there is a stable surface on which to lay the track, the rails can normally be laid down, levelled, and the Milo built and ready to shoot in 45-60 minutes. In many cases the Milo does not need to be put into flight cases for transportation and this process can then be speeded up.
5. What is the benefit of using Motion Control when it comes to the post-production?
Post production relies heavily on having good original takes. Motion Control is often the unsung hero of effects, enabling scenes from the real world to be seamlessly multi-layered and combined with computer graphics and digital effects. Being more of a production tool, many people see the glitz and praise given to powerful post production graphics packages, and miss the vital concept that without the motion control footage, these high end effects could not exist.
Additionally, because the camera trajectory and perspective is very easily exported from the rig to the post-production tools, CGI backgrounds and fore-ground elements can be very easily and accurately added.
6. How accurate is Motion Control?
Using electronic devices known as optical encoders on all the motors, the movement of every axis of the motion control rig is measured down to micron level, far below movement visible to the eye or film. This is so small, that you are more likely to have errors due to the metal of the rig expanding and contracting under bright lights, due to heat, than because of motor position measurement.
7. Can I record moves manually?
Yes. Using "Grip-Sticks" you can actually push rigs around by hand and they will record the movement and then repeat it back as often as you need. You can also use remote hand-wheels to control individual axes much like the hand-wheels controlling Pan and Tilt on a manual dolly. We can this facility mimic. You can also pre-program the movement of some axes and manually record or adjust the movement of others, which is often used when filming animals that don’t necessarily hit there marks correctly.
8. How many people does it take to build or take apart a Milo?
Due to its lightweight aluminium construction (a Milo weighs only 700kg), and ease of assembly, most rigs go out with just an operator and a technician/helper. Except for the main arm, which requires at least 3 people to assemble, everything can be put together using just 2 people. Of course the more people the easier the work!
9. What cameras can I use?
Most film and video cameras can be accommodated by our Motion Control rigs, depending on size and weight. Standardly we use Fries Mitchells, Mitchell S35s, as these are considered the best cameras for motion control. But we also accommodate Arri 435s, Arri IIIs, Moviecam Compacts, Panavision, broadcast video cameras and camcorders, and even HD (High Definition) video cameras.
10. What is Flair?
Flair is the software and electronic hardware developed by Mark Roberts Motion Control for motion control use.
A Motion Control rig is designed to be very easy and quick to program in the desired move. Once the move is programmed it can be repeated again and again, at different speeds, or with adjustments, with complete accuracy. This means that if one is shooting an object that is very difficult to light properly (due to shape, reflections, lens flares etc.), such as a car, one can program in the move quickly and then spend all one’s time on setting up the lights, moving slowly back and forth through the move to check how it appears through camera, without worrying if the move will be the same next time the camera is moved (note: traditionally cameras are moved by hand, using many "grips" - large men - so the motion will be different every time without Motion Control.
2. I do mostly live-action shooting, why use Motion Control?
Again, because the rig will repeat the movement very accurately, including focus-pulling, zooms, and even control lights and moving set props, one can concentrate on just the actors and making sure they do their action correctly, without worrying if the grips will do the right move on the next take. This also saves money by saving on the required personnel and time taken for a shot.
Particularly when using high income actors ("talent") it may be desirable to program in the camera movement beforehand, and then when everything is ready, get the talent in, and shoot straight away, so that they spend as little time on set as possible.
3. How long does it take to prepare a move?
This really depends on the complexity of the move, but storing the positions the camera should go through and then running the basic move is a matter of minutes. Then adjusting it slightly and getting the exact move desired may depend on the lighting, subject matter, and even the director.
4. How long does it take to set up on location?
Assuming there is a stable surface on which to lay the track, the rails can normally be laid down, levelled, and the Milo built and ready to shoot in 45-60 minutes. In many cases the Milo does not need to be put into flight cases for transportation and this process can then be speeded up.
5. What is the benefit of using Motion Control when it comes to the post-production?
Post production relies heavily on having good original takes. Motion Control is often the unsung hero of effects, enabling scenes from the real world to be seamlessly multi-layered and combined with computer graphics and digital effects. Being more of a production tool, many people see the glitz and praise given to powerful post production graphics packages, and miss the vital concept that without the motion control footage, these high end effects could not exist.
Additionally, because the camera trajectory and perspective is very easily exported from the rig to the post-production tools, CGI backgrounds and fore-ground elements can be very easily and accurately added.
6. How accurate is Motion Control?
Using electronic devices known as optical encoders on all the motors, the movement of every axis of the motion control rig is measured down to micron level, far below movement visible to the eye or film. This is so small, that you are more likely to have errors due to the metal of the rig expanding and contracting under bright lights, due to heat, than because of motor position measurement.
7. Can I record moves manually?
Yes. Using "Grip-Sticks" you can actually push rigs around by hand and they will record the movement and then repeat it back as often as you need. You can also use remote hand-wheels to control individual axes much like the hand-wheels controlling Pan and Tilt on a manual dolly. We can this facility mimic. You can also pre-program the movement of some axes and manually record or adjust the movement of others, which is often used when filming animals that don’t necessarily hit there marks correctly.
8. How many people does it take to build or take apart a Milo?
Due to its lightweight aluminium construction (a Milo weighs only 700kg), and ease of assembly, most rigs go out with just an operator and a technician/helper. Except for the main arm, which requires at least 3 people to assemble, everything can be put together using just 2 people. Of course the more people the easier the work!
9. What cameras can I use?
Most film and video cameras can be accommodated by our Motion Control rigs, depending on size and weight. Standardly we use Fries Mitchells, Mitchell S35s, as these are considered the best cameras for motion control. But we also accommodate Arri 435s, Arri IIIs, Moviecam Compacts, Panavision, broadcast video cameras and camcorders, and even HD (High Definition) video cameras.
10. What is Flair?
Flair is the software and electronic hardware developed by Mark Roberts Motion Control for motion control use.