Following a chance encounter at an automotive trade show SISU Cinema Robotics created a range of ‘cinebots’; programmable motion control robotic arms that can hold cinema cameras and achieve repeatable moves and often impossible shots.
There are three models – C14, C20 and C31 – the smallest of which which can handle cameras or other kit up to 16kg and the largest up to 20kg. They comprise a 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) axis arm unit that can range from 1.4m to 3.1m, a transformer box and a base unit that can attach to a pedestal or a track.. Using the company’s SISU Lab software, the system can be controlled using a wand (or a tablet interface); get the camera into the position you need, and then set a keyframe on the tablet on your timeline.
“You can move the robot with the wand and then program moves with the tablet. With the wand, there’s a trigger on it and you squeeze that trigger as if you’re virtually grabbing the camera. So whatever you do with your hand, the camera is just going to follow. There’s also a joystick, which is more like you’re driving the camera around like you would in a video game. The system always knows where that wand is, no matter where you’re standing on set. You can move around or you can move to the other side of the set and it knows. You never have to think backwards.”
Michael Morgan, Head of Marketing, SISU
Using the Unreal Live Link feature, ‘cinebots’ have been employed for in-camera visual effects and on virtual production shoots on LED stages. They’ve also been utilized for filming multiple motion control passes to help build up elements and tiles.
“There are then ways to import files from, say, Maya to bring in moves. Plus there’s FBX import and export. You can export FBX files which can then be used in Blender, After Effects, you name it, to have that position data for the camera. Or you can do it the other way. You can build a camera path in one of these programs, Maya for example, and import it into SISU Lab and then run that move in real life on the robot.”
Jeremy Allen, VP, SISU
“They were used on a Toyota commercial shoot recently where it was a nighttime shoot and they had people getting out of the car all kitted up in neon. They took the 20 extras they had in the background and they ran that same move five times, that is, take 20 people, have them start here, run here, then bring them back to a different location, mix them up and have them run again. And then have them run again and do the same move. Layering them up made 20 people look like 100. So all of a sudden instead of having to get 100 extras, you only need 20.”
Jeremy Allen, VP, SISU
If you are attending NAB 2023 in Las Vegas (Sat, 15 Apr 2023 – Wed, 19 Apr), SISU will be jointly exhibiting with MagicBox in the Central Hall – booth C8045.
If you would like advice, guidance and support on how to incorporate new, cutting-edge technology such as this in your business operations, get in touch via the Mondatum Contact Us page for an initial chat.
Source: before&afters