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P M W CREATIVEPIROUETTE MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM
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The PIROUETTE, shooting with an IMAX / MSM camera,
for Disney's "SACRED PLANET" (2002)
California based Lee Parker's PIROUETTE motion control rig is the most robust, yet lightweight system available anywhere in the world. Capable of handling any digital stills, video or motion picture camera currently in use, even the heaviest of the old IMAX cameras. It is highly portable, powered by deep cycle 24v DC batteries, and programmable via a PSION hand held controller.
CAMERA COMPATIBILITY
All standard production cameras, video / film / stills, up to 100 lbs weight and 18" wide / 30" long. Pan / Tilt capable of lifting 600 lbs.
LARGE FORMAT CAMERA COMPATIBILITY
IWERKS 870 / FRIES 865 / ARRI 765
IMAX - all models except IMAX SOLIDO 3D and 30 perf.
MOUNT
MOY / MITCHELL
ELECTRONICS COMPATIBILITY
System requires cameras possess ‘switch closure remote control trigger’, i.e. push button via cable. Custom electronics can simulate both a continuous button press, or a momentary ON / OFF. Time-lapse trigger must be the same.Digital stills cameras with 4 bit serial signal commands need to be addressed on a camera make and model basis. In most cases, an infrared remote control can be modified to interface to the system. Existing electronics can fire NIKON 5000, and various CANON and OLYMPUS.
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
System control via PSION WALKABOUT. Lens control via PRESTON CINEMA DM1. Intelligent drives can tune and interface directly with lens control motors. Maximum torque is continuous 1.5 amps, sufficient for a cold 800mm lens with focus ring 16” inches in diameter.
POWER SUPPLY
20 - 40v DC. System comes with 24v DC batteries & 1.5 amp chargers as standard. A 32v DC power supply is also available that will operate from 85-240v AC input. System can be powered from 12v DC car batteries using a 600 watt power inverter.
POWER DRAIN
Dependent on shot length, operating temperature and batteries utilised. System draws 0.5 amps per axis. CAMERA/PAN/TILT/DOLLY draws 2 amps. A 10aH 24v DC battery will run the system on average for 3-4 hours. A 10aH 40v DC IMAX battery will power the system for 5-6 hours. A deep cycle 24v DC marine or truck battery will power the system for 12 hours. Main battery input is 3 pin XLR. 4 pin to 3 pin adapters are available. System power input electronics have two power inputs from 3 pin XLRs, thus batteries and power supplies can be hot swapped during shots. PSION controller powered via converter inside the main power electronics.
DOLLY
Utilises standard MITCHELL / MOY tripod, such as RONFORD. Track length: 4 metres of ‘i-TRACK’ in 2 x 2 metre sections. Weight deflection: 1 mm at 300lbs if only supported at each end. Circular track built to order from 1.5” PVC pipe – minimum radius 10 ft. Dolly cart size is ‘Matthews Standard’ - 24.5” centre to centre, but is adjustable. Drives via rubber wheels or belt. Capable of supporting 500lbs.
AXES OF MOTION
Typical system is PAN / TILT / DOLLY / CAMERA / IRIS / ZOOM / FOCUS. Control via 9 intelligent servo motor drives, providing up to 10 amp continuous 40v DC (1/2 horse power). BOOM and SWING capability in development.
DEGREES OF MOTION
PAN = 360 degrees
TILT = 360 degrees
Maximum pan or tilt rate is 60 degrees per second.
Degree of motion may be reduced when operating large format cameras in special configurations.
EXTERNAL CAMERA DRIVES
System includes a motor that will drive a 35mm MITCHELL type camera, such as FRIES Reflex - maximum 72 fps.
MOTION CONTROL ACCURACY
PAN/TILT tolerance = 0.025 mm
DOLLY tolerance – BELT DRIVEN = 0.1 mm on runs 0 – 10 metres
DOLLY tolerance – WHEEL DRIVEN = 20 mm
LENS – Dependent on motor encoder
The system is not suitable for studio based multi-passing / compositing.
SHOOTING MODES1) REAL TIME - All motors move continuously at ratio relative to frame rate
2) STATIC time-lapse – Camera dependent to 1 frame per 12 hours
3) SHOOT / MOVE time-lapse - 0.5 fps to 1 frame per 12 hours
4) MDE (Move During Exposure) - The camera moves only while the camera shutter is open, blurring frame as it would in real time. 0.5 fps to 1 frame per 12 hours.
5) RAMP – Time-lapse equivalent of VARI-SPEED. System can accelerate or decelerate the interval, or the exposure, or both, during a shot, at any point. Ramp can change over the length of the shot, or during the shot over course of 1 to 480 frames. A shot calculator analyses and displays how long it will take to shoot before shot commences. This allows the operator to fine tune stop/start times to coincide with celestial events, music rhythms etc. Variations and possibilities are almost limitless.
Multiple shutter capability is in development, though will be camera dependent.
REHEARSALS / PREVIEWS
Previews are available at standard REAL TIME shooting speeds. Time-lapse version is back calculated. DOLLY / PAN / TILT and lens motors can be disengaged and ‘free-wheeled’ for ease of composition.
ACCESSORIES
Combined GPS, Anglimeter, Compass and computer program to calculate the exact azimuth of celestial events. A lens heater for night shoots runs off system power.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
-20 c to 45 c
PORTABILITY
PAN / TILT head - 1 x 1550 PELICAN case
DOLLY CART - 2 x 1550 PELICAN cases
DOLLY TRACK - 2 metre bag, 30 lbs per section
LENS MOTORS - 1 x 1550 PELICAN case for up to 3 PRESTON CINEMA DM1Total weight = 300 lbs - excluding power supply, batteries, operator's gear etc
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