Doggicam's New 'Power Slide'

[Tim Tyler]

Doggicam Systems, developer of such imaginative film tools as The Doggicam, The Bodymount, which was honored with the Society of Camera Operators 2004 Technical Achievement Award, Sparrow Head and Bulldog wireless controlled remote heads, Rhino Clamp, Swivel Clamp, and light weight Rigging Systems, now announces the release of it?s latest innovative product, The Power Slide.

 

The Power Slide offers a high tech super rigid yet lightweight rail system and precision controlled sled capable of being operated through Doggicam?s FCC licensed integrated radio link.

 

The Power Slide offers for the first time, the capability to remotely dolly the camera with precision while mounted on free driving vehicles, overhead grids or in tight spaces and over long distances.

 

The Power Slide consists of a modular high-tech rail system with wireless controlled precision dolly. The dolly is fully captive on the rail system and can be under slung or over slung and as well as run at angles up to 45 degrees. The dolly?s 16 custom precision wheels capture the rails with such close tolerance as to provide zero lateral movement between the dolly and rails. The positive fit between dolly and rail provides an extremely stable platform for the Sparrow Head under all conditions. Even using a 24? riser and 2? Ubangie to off-set the Sparrow Head the dolly is completely stable throughout it?s move. The dolly includes an integrated leveling plate to be able to run the rails at angles and level the head.

 

Constructed of Aluminum Honeycomb and Carbon Fiber, the rail system offers a light weight yet extremely rigid structure strong enough to be a structural member in a rig. It?s strength and rigidity even make it capable of being cantilevered off a vehicle while supported from just one end. Rails can be run horizontally, at angles up to 45 degrees as well as over-slung or under-slung. The rails come 4?, 6?, and 8? sections and can be joined together to extend a move up to 100 feet.

 

An 8? section of rail weighs just 24 pounds and is capable of supporting 500 pounds with less than .050? deflection. Rail sections are 10? wide and provide secure mounting points every 12? along their length. The sled is 12? wide and can pass through a 12.5? opening. When mounted with a fixed position camera the Power Slide can pass the camera through a 14? high opening. The sled is currently capable of speeds up to 3? per second. The control system offers precise setting of start and end marks as well as ramp speeds to allow smooth control of the sled even if the end mark can not be seen by the dolly grip. Even though the Power Slide system may be mounted to a vehicle traveling at high speed ¼ mile away the dolly will hit it?s mark every time through the digital controls via wireless link.

 

With it?s wireless capability the lightweight Power Slide can provide camera movement in applications previously unattainable. Mounted to an SUV ripping across the desert at high speed the lens can start inches off the ground and dolly up at an angle to the drivers face. Rigged overhead down the length of an airplane?s isle the camera can capture 360 degree pans from the galley to the cockpit. The lightweight nature of its components and integrated mounting points allow the user to create unique dolly shots quickly using standard rigging gear. Whether mounted to a car or overhead rigs, the Power Slide presents opportunities for precisely controlled camera movement in a wide variety of situations with ease.

 

The Power Slide has shown it?s capabilities on various commercials and feature film including Steven Spielberg?s? ?War of the Worlds?.

 

Doggicam Systems will shortly be able to offer the integration of a full motion capture and play back capability for the sled, head and camera. Time lapse programs or repeatable moves may be programmed on screen or input by joystick and hand wheels.