By site editor Dan Chung:
Redrockmicro’s original One Man Crew automated parabolic slider proved popular with many TV and documentary shooters looking to bring increased production value to interviews. The device can be set to move a camera repeatedly from one end to the other and back again for the duration of an interview. The clever arced path ensures the focus distance is kept the same at all times. The idea is to leave a solo operator can have a second camera running the whole interview on the One Man Crew, whilst manning the main camera themselves. Newsshooter’s own Matt Allard has used one successfully for several of his Al Jazeera shoots.
OMC-D-overview-720v from Redrock Micro on Vimeo.
Now there is a new version that goes several steps better. The One Man Crew Director offers remote control via the OMC app. The operator can control the direction of travel by a simple swipe. The gesture command means a solo operator can change directions at will. Speed can be adjusted too. Another new feature is the ability to start and stop recording with several popular cameras.
In addition to the remote control the Director version of the One Man Crew also has an even quieter drive system – something that is important in interview situations. The aluminium rails which the camera and head move along are also new and are said to be incredibly smooth and strong.
The One Man Crew Director can be ordered now from the Redrockmicro website.
This from Redrockmicro website:
Add Cinematic Movement to Your Shots with the New One Man Crew Director
The new patented (8,973,505) One Man Crew Director™ is the latest motorized parabolic slider from Redrock Micro that transforms your static shots with beautiful cinematic motion and includes unique features for dramatically improving interviews and ‘talking head’ videos, all without a dedicated operator.
Your New Crew
Building on the award-winning original One Man Crew, the new One Man Crew Director delivers exceptional results for interviews, talking heads, and corporate/documentary work, with unique features for fast setup, unattended operation, and rock-solid results. The One Man Crew Director also proves itself a valuable tool for B-roll, inserts, reveals, and anywhere else you want to replace static shots with fluid camera movement.
New Features of One Man Crew Director
The new One Man Crew Director delivers a host of new features and performance improvements that makes it an even better companion:
A Quieter Crew – a redesigned ultra-low noise drive system keeps the One Man Crew Director stealthy at interview speeds, and quieter at higher speeds. In many situations, room tone or camera cooling can be louder than the One Man Crew Director.
It’s all in the New Curve – a new elegant pair of machined aluminum rails, possibly the largest precision machined component in all of filmmaking gear, results in a liquid smooth, gorgeous cinematic movement you’ll have to see to believe. These incredibly sturdy rails are engineered for strength to give a smooth ride to any camera up to 22lbs.
Remote Control – an all new full-featured OMC Remote App for your mobile device enables you to setup and control your One Man Crew Director without . Truly unique functions such as reset for next question and speed up/slow down allow you to sync the One Man Crew Director with the pacing of your interview. A special gesture mode gives solo interviewers control without taking your eyes off your subject.
Remote Camera Start/Stop – With the OMC Remote App you can start and stop the camera from anywhere in the room. This is incredibly freeing, and essential if you are in front of the camera as well as behind it.
The ideal tool for Interviews, Talking Heads, Corporate, and Documentaries
The One Man Crew Director is the perfect addition to small crews doing interviews and relying on fast setups and higher quality footage with the same budget and crew. The One Man Crew Director improves almost every aspect of shooting an interview, particularly the five shots every interview incorporates:
1. Single camera or self-interviews,
2. B-camera closeup shot,
3. The “two shot”,
4. The master room shot,
5. The establishing location shot (timelapse).
Use the One Man Crew Director on a single camera, on a second camera, or part of a larger multi-camera shoot. It will produce exceptional, smooth results without requiring a dedicated camera operator. With the remote control app, One Man Crew Director is also great for self-interviews or youtube reviews.
The ideal tool for Interviews, Talking Heads, Corporate, and Documentaries
The One Man Crew Director is the perfect addition to small crews doing interviews and relying on fast setups and higher quality footage with the same budget and crew. The One Man Crew Director improves almost every aspect of shooting an interview, particularly the five shots every interview incorporates:
Replace static shots with smooth professional camera moves
The One Man Crew Director also delivers beautiful, smooth camera movements outside of interviews. Use it for b-roll, insert shots, product beauty shots, anywhere you use a tripod today. The motorized trolly and precision-machined track gives you great fluid results for any shot you want to enhance. From ultra-slow creeps to fast reveals, you can dial in the exact speed you want. Every take will be as smooth as the first.
Setup and ready to go in 60 seconds
You never want to be setting up and fine-tuning your gear while your interview is waiting. The One Man Crew Director is a self-contained unit sets up in about a minute. Intuitive controls and laser-assisted subject placement means you can truly “set it and forget it”. One Man Crew Director does the rest, delivering smooth, controlled camera moves for that high-end production feel, all by itself. Walk into a board room, a hotel room, or a set with confidence you can nail the shot.
Completely Unattended Operation with StayFocus™ Curved Rail
The heart of the One Man Crew Director is the first and only parabolic motion system based on the patented StayFocus curved rail. Once set up, your subject stays in focus and stationary in the frame without any operator assistance. Push-button ease of use means you are getting the shot, not fiddling with controls and programming while everyone is waiting.
A Great Value That Pays for Itself Over and Over
Deliver beautiful content on every project, no matter the budget. One Man Crew Director is at home on sets with one crew member or one hundred. Any way you use the One Man Crew, it delivers consistently great footage. You’ll be amazed at what you can do with less.
Key Features and Benefits
• Instant setup with self-contained unit and laser alignment assist
• Smooth controlled movements with speed control and speed ramp down and up when changing directions
• Patent-pending parabolic motion with StayFocus rail keeps subject in focus and anchored in frame while running completed unattended
• Includes interview mode, dolly mode, and timelapse mode
• OMC Remote app for mobile devices to remotely control the One Man Crew Director
• Remotely start and stop camera (with appropriate optional camera cable)
• Works with virtually any camera – universal plate and support capacity of 22 lbs
• Easy to transport and carry with included padded carrying bag
• Deluxe Bundle includes everything you need to get up and running
What’s Included:
• 1 One Man Crew Director parabolic automated slider
• 1 Redrock Heavy Load Tilt head
• 2 cable wrangler clamps
• 1 AC adapter (110v or 220v including international plug adapters)
• 1 P-tap (d-tap) DC battery cable, 24″
• 1 set light stand adapters (for light stand or c-stand support)
• 1 padded carrying case
• Free download of OMC Remote app for mobile device
Technical Specifications:
• Track length: 36”
• Set custom end points: yes
• Speed control: real-time wheel controlled, or via remote app
• Modes: interview, dolly slow, dolly fast, timelapse
• Leveling assist: bubble level
• Automatic track: yes
• Manual track: yes
• Maximum camera weight limit: 22lbs
• Support options: centered bottom plate with tripod mount holes (1/4” and 3/8”), rubberized corner feet for tabletop or ground
• Accessory mounts: integrated 3/8” and ¼” female mounting points on rear for attaching monitor or cable wranglers
• Camera head: heavy load tilt head
• Alignment setup: laser assisted with on/off toggle
• Carrying handle: integrated soft handle
• Power: AC (universal adapter included)
• Power DC: 12-18v DC (p-tap battery cable Included)
• 1 Pair Light Stand Adapters
• Bluetooth compatible
• Dimensions: 9” x 3.25” x 46”
• Weight: 14.5lbs including tilt head