Broadcast News
19/02/2010
Technica 3D Rigs Tested On The Mortician
When Writer/Director Gareth Maxwell Rogers decided to shoot the psychological thriller The Mortician in 3D, Cinematographer Michael McDonough opted to use Element Technica's new Quasar 3D rig. (Photo by Cook Allender: On the set of The Mortician).
"Because we were operating at a $2 million budget, we needed to be extremely conservative in our choice of equipment," said McDonough, no stranger to indie and low-budget production.
"I’d heard of this new rig from Element Technica and although at the time we were prepping, it was one of the first models available, I found that it was the most solidly constructed rig I’d come across.
"An important consideration in 3D is to avoid torquing the camera bodies once the rig is set up as this will throw out all of your careful lens alignment. Technica 3D Rigs passed our test."
At the rental house, OFFHollywood’s Mark L. Pederson worked closely with McDonough and Stereographer Keith Collea to outfit the rig with the right support gear for this post-apocalyptical tale shot in New Orleans, taking advantage of the historical buildings and the still visible remnants of Katrina’s devastation. Tricked out, the rig topped out at about 105 pounds, heavy enough to handle the stress of an active shoot yet light enough to allow the team to make some tricky moves.
"I remember one sequence where we were fighting daylight and we needed the Hydro Techno Crane up and running under the rain towers, with no time to do serious critical alignments," recalls Collea.
"Within minutes the Quasar was up, aligned and shooting. Crane – no problem. Remote head – no problem. Rain – no problem. 3D – no problem. The shot went off without a hitch. The alignment procedures with the ET rig are a snap. And, once the rig is aligned, it stays that way over the course of several setups, including serious jolts from riding on the process trailer."
"We were even able to do a lot of very low angle work that Director Gareth Rogers wanted, because the rig allowed for a relatively low lens-to-ground clearance," added McDonough.
When shooting required getting into extremely small spaces, McDonough chose to use the predecessor of the Technica 3D Neutron (aka the Dark Country rig) with SI-2K Mini camera heads on board. "It was very small and weighed only a few pounds," McDonough explained. "Because of the mirror size, we needed very compact lenses to fit in there. We achieved this with the new 8mm and 12mm CCTV lenses by Schneider. The size of the rig didn’t allow for a focus puller, so we set the aperture and focus and operator Grayson Austin was able to keep the Steadicam within a focused range."
Technica 3D systems will be available in three different sizes to accommodate a variety of cameras. The largest, Quasar, which is already available is designed for full size digital cinema cameras, such as the Sony 1500 or the Red One equipped with prime or zoom lenses.
The mid-sized Pulsar available this spring, mounts box-style digital cinema cameras such as the Scarlet, Epic and the SI-2K. The ultra-small Neutron is designed for the tiny 2/3" or 1/3" imager cameras sporting C-mount lenses such as the SI-2K Mini and the Iconix. All three Technica 3D systems can convert from parallel to beamsplitter and back depending on the application.
The Mortician, an independent feature shot entirely on location in New Orleans is slated for release late in 2010.
(BMcN/GK)
"Because we were operating at a $2 million budget, we needed to be extremely conservative in our choice of equipment," said McDonough, no stranger to indie and low-budget production.
"I’d heard of this new rig from Element Technica and although at the time we were prepping, it was one of the first models available, I found that it was the most solidly constructed rig I’d come across.
"An important consideration in 3D is to avoid torquing the camera bodies once the rig is set up as this will throw out all of your careful lens alignment. Technica 3D Rigs passed our test."
At the rental house, OFFHollywood’s Mark L. Pederson worked closely with McDonough and Stereographer Keith Collea to outfit the rig with the right support gear for this post-apocalyptical tale shot in New Orleans, taking advantage of the historical buildings and the still visible remnants of Katrina’s devastation. Tricked out, the rig topped out at about 105 pounds, heavy enough to handle the stress of an active shoot yet light enough to allow the team to make some tricky moves.
"I remember one sequence where we were fighting daylight and we needed the Hydro Techno Crane up and running under the rain towers, with no time to do serious critical alignments," recalls Collea.
"Within minutes the Quasar was up, aligned and shooting. Crane – no problem. Remote head – no problem. Rain – no problem. 3D – no problem. The shot went off without a hitch. The alignment procedures with the ET rig are a snap. And, once the rig is aligned, it stays that way over the course of several setups, including serious jolts from riding on the process trailer."
"We were even able to do a lot of very low angle work that Director Gareth Rogers wanted, because the rig allowed for a relatively low lens-to-ground clearance," added McDonough.
When shooting required getting into extremely small spaces, McDonough chose to use the predecessor of the Technica 3D Neutron (aka the Dark Country rig) with SI-2K Mini camera heads on board. "It was very small and weighed only a few pounds," McDonough explained. "Because of the mirror size, we needed very compact lenses to fit in there. We achieved this with the new 8mm and 12mm CCTV lenses by Schneider. The size of the rig didn’t allow for a focus puller, so we set the aperture and focus and operator Grayson Austin was able to keep the Steadicam within a focused range."
Technica 3D systems will be available in three different sizes to accommodate a variety of cameras. The largest, Quasar, which is already available is designed for full size digital cinema cameras, such as the Sony 1500 or the Red One equipped with prime or zoom lenses.
The mid-sized Pulsar available this spring, mounts box-style digital cinema cameras such as the Scarlet, Epic and the SI-2K. The ultra-small Neutron is designed for the tiny 2/3" or 1/3" imager cameras sporting C-mount lenses such as the SI-2K Mini and the Iconix. All three Technica 3D systems can convert from parallel to beamsplitter and back depending on the application.
The Mortician, an independent feature shot entirely on location in New Orleans is slated for release late in 2010.
(BMcN/GK)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
10/04/2024
ARRI Announces ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System
ARRI has announced the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System, making the cinematic image quality of its flagship ALEXA 35 camera available to the world of l
ARRI Announces ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System
ARRI has announced the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System, making the cinematic image quality of its flagship ALEXA 35 camera available to the world of l
07/12/2023
Videosys Broadcast Announces New Features For Its Camera Control Products
Videosys Broadcast has announced a range of new features for its camera control products including its flagship Epsilon 4K base station Camera Control
Videosys Broadcast Announces New Features For Its Camera Control Products
Videosys Broadcast has announced a range of new features for its camera control products including its flagship Epsilon 4K base station Camera Control
07/11/2023
Marshall Electronics Unveils Its CV630-NDIW 30X UHD PTZ Camera
Marshall Electronics has announced its new CV630-NDIW 30X UHD PTZ camera with NDI®|HX2. The CV630-NDIW is ideal for use in live newscasts, concerts, r
Marshall Electronics Unveils Its CV630-NDIW 30X UHD PTZ Camera
Marshall Electronics has announced its new CV630-NDIW 30X UHD PTZ camera with NDI®|HX2. The CV630-NDIW is ideal for use in live newscasts, concerts, r
15/04/2024
Ikegami USA To Introduce New Additions To Its Broadcast-Quality Production Equipment
Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, Ikegami USA will introduce four new additions to its range of broadcast-quality production equipment at th
Ikegami USA To Introduce New Additions To Its Broadcast-Quality Production Equipment
Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, Ikegami USA will introduce four new additions to its range of broadcast-quality production equipment at th
30/08/2023
TNDV Puts New Sony And Panasonic 4K/HD Camera Fleet To Work
TNDV has been putting its new Sony and Panasonic 4K/HD camera fleet to work this summer for high-resolution content acquisition of live and recorded e
TNDV Puts New Sony And Panasonic 4K/HD Camera Fleet To Work
TNDV has been putting its new Sony and Panasonic 4K/HD camera fleet to work this summer for high-resolution content acquisition of live and recorded e
22/08/2023
CineArray Launches With New State-Of-The-Art 8-Camera
CVP and specialist asset finance house CVF were instrumental in ensuring CineArray's latest state-of-the-art 8-camera cinematic array based around 8x
CineArray Launches With New State-Of-The-Art 8-Camera
CVP and specialist asset finance house CVF were instrumental in ensuring CineArray's latest state-of-the-art 8-camera cinematic array based around 8x
07/08/2023
Birds Camera Solutions Signs Contract With ATP Media
Birds Camera Solutions has signed a long-term contract with ATP Media, who are the host broadcasters of the ATP Masters 1000 Tournaments and the Nitto
Birds Camera Solutions Signs Contract With ATP Media
Birds Camera Solutions has signed a long-term contract with ATP Media, who are the host broadcasters of the ATP Masters 1000 Tournaments and the Nitto
31/07/2023
UP Supplies In-Camera VFX Expertise To Good Omens 2
Universal Pixels (UP) has supplied in-camera VFX expertise, crew and technical equipment to Amazon Prime Video's Good Omens 2. Created and written by
UP Supplies In-Camera VFX Expertise To Good Omens 2
Universal Pixels (UP) has supplied in-camera VFX expertise, crew and technical equipment to Amazon Prime Video's Good Omens 2. Created and written by
26/07/2023
Ikegami Launches UHK-X600 Multi-Role HFR HDR Camera
Ikegami Electronics (Europe) has chosen IBC 2023 in Amsterdam as the European launch platform for the latest addition to its Unicam XE range of broadc
Ikegami Launches UHK-X600 Multi-Role HFR HDR Camera
Ikegami Electronics (Europe) has chosen IBC 2023 in Amsterdam as the European launch platform for the latest addition to its Unicam XE range of broadc
09/04/2024
Telycam Announces Shipping Of The Explore SE PTX Camera
Telycam has announced the official shipping of its latest technological advancement, the Explore SE PTZ camera. Positioned as a frontrunner in the fie
Telycam Announces Shipping Of The Explore SE PTX Camera
Telycam has announced the official shipping of its latest technological advancement, the Explore SE PTZ camera. Positioned as a frontrunner in the fie
15/03/2023
Audio-Technica's ATND1061DAN Ceiling Array Now Certified
Audio-Technica has announced that its ATND1061DAN Ceiling Array is now certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms as part of a Q-SYS system. Audio-Technica p
Audio-Technica's ATND1061DAN Ceiling Array Now Certified
Audio-Technica has announced that its ATND1061DAN Ceiling Array is now certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms as part of a Q-SYS system. Audio-Technica p
12/04/2024
EditShare Partners With Atomos
EditShare® has partnered with Atomos to bring camera to cloud workflows to MediaSilo, the leading video collaboration platform. MediaSilo will be inte
EditShare Partners With Atomos
EditShare® has partnered with Atomos to bring camera to cloud workflows to MediaSilo, the leading video collaboration platform. MediaSilo will be inte
26/01/2024
Audio-Technica Launches New Version Of Its ATND1061 Beamforming Microphone
Audio-Technica has launched a new version of its ATND1061 Beamforming Microphone, compatible with the company's proprietary Audio-Technica Link commun
Audio-Technica Launches New Version Of Its ATND1061 Beamforming Microphone
Audio-Technica has launched a new version of its ATND1061 Beamforming Microphone, compatible with the company's proprietary Audio-Technica Link commun
03/12/2009
3D Camera Rigs Marketed By Offhollywood
A digital cinema company, Offhollywood, will be the first east coast US company to market with the latest Technica 3D camera rigs. These will offer ad
3D Camera Rigs Marketed By Offhollywood
A digital cinema company, Offhollywood, will be the first east coast US company to market with the latest Technica 3D camera rigs. These will offer ad
25/03/2024
Audio-Technica Appoints Alpha Technologies
Audio-Technica has appointed Alpha Technologies as the distributor for its commercial product line in South Africa. This strategic partnership aims to
Audio-Technica Appoints Alpha Technologies
Audio-Technica has appointed Alpha Technologies as the distributor for its commercial product line in South Africa. This strategic partnership aims to