If you are new to it, you may not know what 'motion control' means: in the film & video industry, it refers to the use of mechanisms controlled by computer technology. In a motion control studio, the film or video camera is mounted on a mechanism driven by motors controlled by a computer system. Such a mechanism is known as a 'motion control rig'. In addition, the computer system may control the zoom and focus of the camera lens, lighting circuit dimmers and extra mechanisms for moving props, known as 'modelmovers'.

At Pirate Motion Control there are 12 independent motors driving 12 separate movements, 3 lighting circuit dimmers and a wide variety of modelmovers, such as linear or rotary.

What are the benefits of using Motion Control?
Motion Control Studio Hire		£2200 SD video / £2500 HD video / £2600 S16mm
Motion Controlled Microscope		£900/day
Motion Controlled Hot Head		£600/day
Slow Rotary Modelmover MM1 (Turntable) and Speed Controller		£180/day
Fast Rotary Modelmover MM9 (Turntable) and Speed Controller		£180/day
Large Floor Turntable and Speed Controller		£250/day
Combination Linear MM3 and Rotary Modelmover MM1		£330/day
Combination Linear MM3R and Rotating Rod Modelmover MM8		£330/day
Combination Linear MM6 and Rotary Modelmover MM5		£330/day
Linear Modelmover MM4 and Speed Controller		£330/day

By programming the motion of the camera and changes in zoom and focus of its lens, a complex and fluid camera movement can be achieved. Further sophistication can be added by synchronising camera motion with lighting changes and movements of props. Such sophistication would be very difficult to achieve manually.

In addition, many post-production special effects are achieved by filming the same sequence several times, with the camera movements being identical each time. For example, if the scene were changed to represent the four Seasons of the year before each of four takes, a composite sequence can be assembled easily in post-production by mixing from one take to another, thus giving the impression of the changing Seasons as the camera moved.

Finally, by utilising the data that controlled the motion of the camera during a sequence, it is possible to combine live action shots taken in the real world with computer generated images ('CGI') of either environments or objects. Typically this would be achieved by shooting props against a blue screen, which allows the prop to be isolated from its environment during post-production and combined with computer generated elements.

Pictures & blurb.

Pirate have the largest, most versatile video & 16mm Motion Control studio facility in the UK. Located near AFM Lighting with large ground floor access and free on-street parking, it's also the lowest cost motion control facility in London - just look at our Rates. Within easy reach of Central London and Heathrow Airport, we have clients not only from London's West End, but also from around Europe. We film sequences for most TV broadcasters, such as the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK.

Other motion control facilities may have modelmaking facilities comprising little more than a home handiman's tools, but at Pirate we have superb workshops and skilled staff in-house - our models & effects facilities.

We've built a fast, rigid head incorporating the compact Panasonic AW-E800E 2/3" chip broadcast camera. Uniquely, the camera is built into the mechanism, with the lens mount fitted directly to the roll axis bearing. This totally eliminates head shake. See Studio Equipment & Facilities

A recent innovation is the introduction of a Blackmagic Design "Decklink" harddisk recorder. This permits the recording of uncompressed Standard Definition video onto harddisk, taken away on a LaCie portable hard drive. The advantage is not only better quality (digiBeta recording is 2:1 compressed), but the files can be easily editied without digitising a tape into a system.

At present we can shoot SD & HD video and Super 16mm.

Standard definition video kit