A Motion Control system is an invaluable tool for visual effects but it is unfortunately really costly. It allows you to remotely control a camera from a computer in order to achieve very precise, pre-designed movements, and if necessary, repeat them exactly. This has many uses in the VFX and graphic motion world (from rig removal to stopmotion) but initially we were drawn to it with the idea of time lapses in mind.

Unfortunately, for a small studio like us (and especially at the beginning!) it was impossible to even start thinking about getting a commercial Motion Control system. Despite this, instead of dropping the idea, we decided to build a low cost one ourselves to control a photographic camera, and this was the seed and basis for our first short Timelapsus. The robotic camera control allowed us to introduce camera movement in the shots.

An improved version of our Motion Control system, Motion Guerrilla, is currently being developed and built in Physalia's Lab. The main enhancement will be to control video as well as photographic cameras, which will allow us to explore the many uses of the Motion Control system not only for time lapses but for real time shots. With more advanced electronic boards and more powerful motors in our Motion Guerrilla, a new world of possibilities in post-production will open.

» Check the motion control's work here.