The Bolt Junior motion control system by MRMC is a compact robotic camera rig designed for high-speed precision filming.Key specifications include:Payload capacity: around 12 kilograms, suitable for a wide range of camera packagesArm reach: approximately 1.2 meters, providing a good range of motion for dynamic shots3Maximum camera lens height: up to 2 meters, allowing for flexible shooting anglesTop speed: around 3 meters per second, ideal for capturing fast-motion sequencesRepeatability: sub-millimeter accuracy, ensuring consistent, repeatable movesIt’s known for its reliability and modular design, making it a preferred choice for tabletop work, commercials, and visual effects shotsWhen the Bolt Junior is mounted on tracks, it gains even more versatility and rangeHere’s how it works :the track system allows the entire rig to move linearly along a set path. This gives the camera the ability to travel smoothly over longer distances, beyond the robotic arm’s fixed base reach.Key benefits include:
1Extended camera movement: You can create long, sweeping shots or track subjects over greater distances.
Enhanced precision: The track system is integrated with the motion control software, ensuring that every movement is repeatable with pinpoint accuracy.
Dynamic shots: Combining the arm’s pan, tilt, and roll with the linear motion of the tracks allows for incredibly complex and cinematic camera moves.
Versatility: The tracks can be laid out on the floor or even mounted vertically or overhead, offering more creative possibilities.
In essence, having the Bolt Junior on tracks transforms it from a stationary motion control system into a highly mobile platform, ideal for capturing a wide variety of dynamic shots in commercial, film, and television productions
**The manufacturers recommend the following safety procedures:
in order to reduce the possibility of an accident, every camera crane with an arm range above 30 feet (9 meters) should be operated by at least two trained technicians (grips).
Because of its extreme versatility, the technocrane is often the only camera movement tool needed to acquire all of the shots on any given location, even for extremely simple camera movements and static shots.
One of the biggest misconceptions about technocranes is that they're almost always an additional and unnecessary expense for a production, and that they're really just a fun toy for productions with large budgets.
However, despite the up-front cost of technocrane rental and the cost of labor to operate the machine correctly, once it's all set up and ready to shoot, it's usually far quicker and more efficient than any other method of moving the camera around.
Add to that the fact that the technocrane allows for everything between tiny adjustments to the frame to full-on improvisation, and it's no wonder why it's such a ubiquitous tool in filmmaking.
Ultimately, the technocrane is an incredibly versatile tool that you're very likely going to encounter if you spend time on professional sets. For that reason, it's important for up and coming filmmakers to understand the basic terminology, capabilities, and limitations of the technocrane even if it's not something that you will use on a regular basis in your own work.