{"id":12860,"date":"2022-08-24T10:50:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T10:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/?page_id=12860"},"modified":"2022-08-24T11:54:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T11:54:17","slug":"time-goes-by-and-technology-changes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/time-goes-by-and-technology-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Time Goes by and Technology Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As technology evolves, thing which were difficult to achieve &#8211; 0r impossible to achieve &#8211; become easier to accomplish &#8211; and offer new challenges&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Alec Bray<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[Looking at] Alan\u2019s comments about Glasto and the use of a Technocrane&#8230;. [<a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/glastonbury-2022-and-outside-broadcasts\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"12667\">see this page<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"655\" height=\"434\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/time-and-technology.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12861\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/time-and-technology.png 655w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/time-and-technology-300x199.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compare the Peregrine (see this <a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/2010\/09\/the-vinten-peregrine-stories-6\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"157\">page<\/a>) with a Technocrane.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time and technology marches on &#8211; some 60 odd years, in this case &#8211; but the concept is pretty much the same:  Long arm, camera on end with mounting offering (a total of) three degrees of freedom, camera operator remote from camera.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technocranes don&#8217;t have to cope with the heavy old 4.5-inch IO cameras!&nbsp; Look at that tiny little camera!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps we should regard the Peregrine as the BBC\/Vinten equivalent of Leonardo&#8217;s helicopter&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bernie Newnham<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And, of course, there was <a href=\" http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/2022\/06\/boomcam\/\">BoomCam<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"644\" height=\"484\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/boomcam-part.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12862\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/boomcam-part.png 644w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/boomcam-part-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 644px) 100vw, 644px\" \/><figcaption><em>[Artist\u2019s Impression]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Alan Taylor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I assumed people were a little more familiar with Technocranes, so only mentioned it almost in passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTechnocrane\u201d seems to be a generic term and there are a number of different types. What I think of as the standard one will lift a camera about fifty feet in the air and will fully extend in about 5-6 seconds. A massive counterbalance is driven up and down at the other end. &nbsp;The camera itself is controlled by a hot head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve worked in a studio with one which was much smaller, but the hot head was controlled by a targeting computer, which once you specify who to follow and what framing you want, will frame and focus automatically while the operator concentrates on swinging the crane. &nbsp;It was uncannily effective, even if you move the jib differently from the last take.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the other end of the scale I\u2019ve been told about hundred foot versions, but have never seen one in the flesh. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they keep making bigger ones, just as Simon Hoists have gone from pretty high, then ridiculously high, and now unfeasibly high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some have booms made from open tubular metal, rather like trussing, while others have rectangular section telescoping mechanisms like a Simon Hoist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They don\u2019t have to be kept on a static base; they are often mounted on tracks. Movies sometimes use a Technocrane mounted in a vehicle and driven at comparatively high speeds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are a lot of videos online showcasing different types of Technocranes. One which was shot at the Panavision depot shows familiar landmarks for those who travel along the A40 near Greenford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hugh Snape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s the products page from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.supertechno.com\/telescopic-camera-cranes\">SuperTechno site.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Paul Thackray<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I suppose it depends where you are looking from as to whether Technocranes are new technology. They have been around for more than 35 years, which is almost as long as most careers! They were in use at BBC TVC in mid or late 1980s alongside the Nike and Mole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was pre-CCD cameras, so would have an Ike 79D on it to try and match with the Link 125s and 110s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dave Plowman<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Won&#8217;t be long &#8217;till drones take over from them. &#x1f601;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graeme Wall<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not over crowds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dave Plowman<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps. Am I right in remembering that at one time you couldn&#8217;t swing a Mole arm etc over the audience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graeme Wall<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orchestras, on the other hand, were fair game!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>John Vincent<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some fixed ultra-HD cams left and right and high and low. Some mind-blowing computing can get any camera angle so Director can get whatever shots he wants post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t know about sound though. Perhaps some sort of micro chipping of artists and the computer does the rest according to shots selected!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lighting the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gets rid of all those technical <em>prima donnas<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nick Ware<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve always said it would be good if all presenters were fitted with an XLR output on their ankles. There\u2019s one I can think of who must already have had one up the derri\u00e8re, but I thought it best not to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I remember doing a 3D film studio shoot where two big cranes on tracks were synchronised to track, pan, and tilt exactly in sync. That was a long time ago, 35mm and early days of computing. Any suggestions as to what that might have been for? Also, synchronised zooms on LE shows &#8211; does that ring a bell?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graham Maunder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GAZE??? Ganged Auto Zoom Equipment???<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dave Buckley<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system Nick remembers is GAZE = Ganged Angenieux Zoom Equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early in my time with TV Training Department, one Directors&#8217; course had a day in a Television Centre studio being shown a range of &#8216;auxiliary&#8217; equipment including GAZE, multi-facet lenses and VLAD = Vinten low-angle dolly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dave Mundy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When CSO first started we had a set-up in TC6 on \u201cThe Musical Time Machine\u201d (with Stewart Morris (RIP!), Vince Hill and the Nolans) where we had two peds linked together, on one camera were the artistes and on the other a scenic picture and in the studio was a green cyc. It seemed to work OK but eventually the cycs. became blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the set-up in TC6 was called &#8216;Scene-Sync&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dudley Darby<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, Dave, it was Scene-Sync, used on \u201cThe Borgias\u201d too. I think it was developed by Reg King at Evershed Power Optics; he also operated it. Reg was previously with Mole Richardson and was involved in designing the steering platform for the Mole Crane to make it more TV-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Alec Bray<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a short excerpt from &#8220;The Scene Sync Story&#8221; on YouTube<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"embedly-card\" data-card-controls=\"1\" data-card-align=\"center\" data-card-theme=\"light\"><h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8Y_28FEIU40\">&#8220;The Scene Sync Story&#8221; excerpt (2011)<\/a><\/h4><p>Excerpt from my documentary on Scene Sync &#8211; an early form of camera motion control. Produced by JKM. \u00a9 2011 BBC Worldwide\/JKM<\/p><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/cdn.embedly.com\/widgets\/platform.js\" charset=\"UTF-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Produced by John Kelly, the clip includes interviews with two camera operators, Peter Leverick and Roger Bunce, along with visual effects designer, Stephen Drewett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"382\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/The-Scene-sync-story-title-card.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12864\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/The-Scene-sync-story-title-card.png 700w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/The-Scene-sync-story-title-card-300x164.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scene Sync slave camera mounting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"891\" height=\"540\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scene-sync-slave.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12865\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scene-sync-slave.png 891w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scene-sync-slave-300x182.png 300w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scene-sync-slave-768x465.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 891px) 100vw, 891px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is this similar to the system used in film to match the camera shot on models to the shot of real actors &#8211; although in films the two camera moves are not simultaneous&#8230; for example, this technology was used in &#8220;Titanic&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the book of the making of the film \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/PhotoScan-CROP-1024x176.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12866\" width=\"670\" height=\"115\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/PhotoScan-CROP-1024x176.png 1024w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/PhotoScan-CROP-300x52.png 300w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/PhotoScan-CROP-768x132.png 768w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/PhotoScan-CROP.png 1349w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[Transcript]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;&#8230; Instead, the actors now stand on the bow of the ship as it floats in a green-screen void. When they embrace, the whine of electric servomotors kicks in and the motion-controlled camera retraces its exacting path. (The move was originally executed over the 1\/20th-scale model of the ship and then scaled up to photograph the actors). While everything around them is artificial, Leo and Kate&#8217;s kiss is very real&#8230;&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><em>James Cameron&#8217;s Titanic<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp; 1998 Boxtree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<br><br>\n<p class=\"western\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1061\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg\" alt=\"ianfootersmall\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg 300w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" width=\"300\" height=\"104\"><\/p>\n\n<br><br>\n<!-- END Footer -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As technology evolves, thing which were difficult to achieve &#8211; 0r impossible to achieve &#8211; become easier to accomplish &#8211; and offer new challenges&#8230;. Alec Bray [Looking at] Alan\u2019s comments about Glasto and the use of a Technocrane&#8230;. [see this &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/time-goes-by-and-technology-changes\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12860","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/author\/alec\/","display_name":"Alec Bray"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 4 years ago","modified":"Updated 4 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 24, 2022","modified":"Updated on August 24, 2022"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 24, 2022 10:50 am","modified":"Updated on August 24, 2022 11:54 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12860"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12873,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12860\/revisions\/12873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}