Polecam has chosen IBC2011 in September as the launch venue for a major addition to its range of single-operator broadcast-quality camera cranes. Polecam Wide is a motorised camera head designed to accommodate digital single-lens reflex cameras or camcorders of up 200 millimetres width, 280 millimetres height and 3.6 kilograms weight. It is fully compatible with Polecam rigs of up to 6 metres span.
"The new head operates under high-precision electronic control which allows slow or fast action to be tracked with great finesse," explains Polecam founder and Managing Director Steffan Hewitt.
"Pan and tilt angle can be smoothly adjusted or continuously varied at a wide range of speeds, from an ultra-slow four seconds per degree up to a fast seven seconds per complete 360 degree rotation. Integral slip-rings can be used to convey power to the camera and to export composite video for monitoring. That provides the capability of shooting unlimited horizontal pans without getting cables in a tangle.
Since last November the video department for Kings of Leon touring has been using a Polecam with touring operator Michael Cordier.
The rig is used in the pit on a track/dolly. Since the beginning of 2011 Phil Woodhead, HOD of KOL tour video department has pushed the use of Polecam in the touring environment. To this end KOL used Polecam during their very successful European stadium and festival tour this summer.
Woodhead explains:
It is a big fun to work as an Operator for Polecam in a miniature world!
It feels like being a helicopter pilot...
"Miniatur Wunderland" in Hamburg/Germany is the world biggest Small World.. :)
Filming three attractive models in bikinis washing a motorbike whilst covering themselves in soap suds - it was a tough job but someone had to do it!!
Following a buoyant Cine Gear Expo in Hollywood early June, the Polecam team headed for Singapore to demonstrate its range of compact HD/SD production equipment at Broadcast Asia.