How long have remote hot heads been around?

[Brian E. Rutan]

I know one was used on Back to the Future Part II (1989). I'm pretty sure I saw one on the BTS of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) as well. Are these the earliest instances of them? How similar are these models to their modern counterparts?

Edited October 30, 2019 by Brian E. Rutan

[Mark Dunn]

If you mean a remote geared head generally, the Louma crane was invented in 1973. The first reference I can find is "Rosemary's Baby" in that year. I tried one out at a Samuelsons' show in 1980 or 81 as a student. Alain Masseron asked me if I was a camera operator- the French are good at flattery.

https://filmglossary.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/term/crane-shot/

https://louma.co.uk/about/

Edited October 31, 2019 by Mark Dunn

[David Mullen ASC]

There were some very crude rigs in the 60s that like the motorized heads to pan the cameras on the race cars for “Grand Prix”. The first big extended use of the Louma was on Spielberg’s “1941” but it had been invented and used earlier. The opening shot of “Rosemary’s Baby” used it, the opening shot flying over the surface of the Planet Krypton model for “Superman” (I think the opening shots moving over the landscape and city models for “Logan’s Run” used it too.) “Moonraker” also used the Louma. Wesscam was also invented in the early 70s as well and was used on “Sleuth” and “The Passenger”.