Behind the Scenes: Camera Car Rig Setup
Behind the Scenes: Camera Car Rig Setup
Our Camera Car Rig: The Key to Dynamic B-Roll and High-End Cinematography
Have you ever wondered how filmmakers achieve those smooth, cinematic shots of cars, motorcycles, bikes, etc while moving? Well, the secret lies in the camera car rig. We recently unlocked new motion capabilities and added our first professional camera car mount to the gear arsenal (we’ll share a full breakdown of the gear list below).
Our camera car rig allows us to achieve smooth, technical camera movements. With this powerful tool, we can capture dynamic b-roll and high-end cinematography that will elevate any production to the next level.
the starter piece to the build: the ray rig by ascending works
The Land Rover Camera Car Rig
Our Land Rover camera car rig is equipped with the latest technology to ensure the smoothest camera movements possible. Our professional camera car mount provides exceptional stabilization to the camera, minimizing vibrations and resulting in crystal-clear footage.
In addition to our professional camera car mount, we have customized our Land Rover with equipment that enables us to mount our gimbal/camera to the back, front, or top of the car.
the kessler grip blok mounted to the ray rig allows us to attach our speedrails
Three-Person Operation
Operating the camera car rig requires, at minimum, 2 people. Ideally, a team of three highly skilled professionals will yield better results. Our team includes a driver, a camera operator, and a focus puller.
The Driver is experienced in handling the vehicle in harsh terrains, such as rocky or uneven roads, and is adept at maneuvering the car to get the best angles for the camera operator. The Camera Operator controls the gimbal, and the zoom, and frames up the shot. The Focus Puller ensures the shot remains focused and has the skill set to anticipate when the focus needs to be adjusted and to do so quickly without affecting the shot. Additionally, we will have a Creative Director who is overseeing what is being filmed and make sure we’re getting the shots needed.
With this three-person operation, we can achieve the highest level of precision and accuracy in our shots. Our team members are trained to work seamlessly together, predicting each other's movements and making real-time adjustments to capture the best possible footage. The Driver, Camera Operator, and Focus Puller have a deep understanding of how their roles fit together.
Let’s get into the fun stuff: the gear.
custom easy raptor z pro
kessler killshock
Camera Car Rig Setup: Gear List
We’ll go through the build process and gear list starting with the exterior car and moving to the interior.
Exterior:
2007 Land Rover LR3 (220k+ miles!)
Ascending Works Ray Rig + Kessler Grip Block
6ft Speedrail (mounted vertical)
9.Solutions Savior Clamp with Speedrail Starters mounted to roof rack x2
5ft Speedrail x2 connected to the 6ft vertical speedrails via swivel clamps
Custom Easy Raptor Z Arm + Kessler Killshock
DJI Ronin R2 with RED Komodo X Package
Interior:
25’ SDI Cable running from DJI R2 to the front passenger (Camera Operator)
Ascending Works DJI R2 Commander with SmallHD Cine 7 and Nucleus Nano Focus Wheel for Zoom Control
6’ SDI Cable running from the SmallHD Cine 7 to the rear passenger (Focus Puller)
SmallHD 1703 Monitor for pulling focus
Tilta Nucleus-M FIZ with focus and iris controls
10’ HDMI Cable from SmallHD Cine 7 to ANOTHER SmallHD Cine 7 mounted to the center windshield for a driver reference monitor
Crew wearing Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro headsets for crystal clear communication
the r2 commander
tilta nucleus-m
There you have it. In the end, our camera car rig is just a tool that pushes us to a whole new level of creativity and storytelling. With its ability to capture stunning footage from unique angles and perspectives, it opens up endless possibilities for motion capture. If you’re in the Phoenix area and want to go for a test shoot, contact us!