Photo credit: Laeticia Nel Photography
-- --
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Pinterest
SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Alard H fner and Graham Terrell, of Johannesburg-based rigging company Film Riggers, have developed a unique computer-controlled cable-suspended camera system, called TopShot, that allows for the world-class filming of sports events, and is affordable and uses locally developed technology.
Film Riggers invited the Screen Africa team to the first live demonstration of their system at Ellis Park Stadium in April of this year, where we had the opportunity to chat with H fner and Terrell about what went into developing this outstanding system.
-- --
PLAYING WITH THE POSSIBILITIES
The filming of sports events is notoriously challenging as the action is live, the stakes are high, and options about where to place cameras are often limited. Using a cable-suspended camera system over a sports ground to achieve those first-person action shots that have become so much a part of watching a live game is not a new idea. The first computer-controlled, stabilised cable-suspended camera systems were released in the mid-90s, and the technology has gained enormous popularity with viewers across the world. However, this technology has remained in the hands of a select few in the international market. The enormous cost of importing all of the necessary equipment and flying the international crew to South Africa, in conjunction with unfavourable exchange rates, has hindered the use of these systems for local sports broadcasting, with a few exceptions such as at the Football World Cup in 2010.
Terrell and H fner are among the country's most experienced film rigging specialists, and their company has specialised in the rigging of cameras and live loads for more than ten years. Collectively, they have more than 25 years of experience flying cameras and performers for the local film industry, and have worked on some of the country's highest-profile productions, including Fear Factor, Survivor and The Amazing Race, as well as on films such as District 9 and The Avengers, among others.
Having both the technical know-how and the experience behind them, it is not surprising that Terrell and H fner have been playing with the idea of developing a computer-controlled cable-suspended camera system for the local market since the international company that assisted with the filming of the World Cup left our shores eight years ago. Graham, in particular, has been conceptualising what would be needed to produce a computer-controlled cable-suspended camera system for many years. The actual design phase of the project started in about March 2017, when we began investing our own money and actively investigating the type of motors, drums and cables that we would need, H fner explains. He goes further to add that some local broadcasters have been interested in their efforts from the onset.
THE GAME PLAN
To turn a great idea into a workable product, the Film Riggers team have employed all of their skill and expertise and have consulted widely with engineers, product designers and software developers to put together a computer-controlled cable-suspended camera system that will rival any in the world but will remain affordable for the local market.
The TopShot.Africa system comprises of four motorised winches, positioned at four points in a venue. A 5mm diameter specialised high strength rope runs from each winch up to a high point in the venue where it is deviated through an anchored pulley and returns downwards to the centre of the venue where all four ropes meet. The four ropes are then connected to a gyro-stabilised camera platform. This camera platform is suspended in the air by the four ropes and the position thereof is controlled by the system of winches. By controlling the synchronised winding and unwinding of the four ropes, the system allows the camera platform to travel both vertically and horizontally in a predetermined space.
According to Terrell, the system is capable of taking a payload of up to 100kg, depending on the geometry of the configuration, and can achieve speeds of up to nine metres per second. The system is designed to withstand the elements - particularly important as TopShot will be used in outdoor settings most of the time.
In designing TopShot, the team started with the motors for their winches and turned to SEW-EURODRIVE, a world-leading manufacturer of electric motors for advice. Following extensive consultation, the appropriate motors were identified. Terrell then worked with a local design and engineering team to custom design and produce the drum and housing required for the four winches. The team then needed to decide on a supplier for the gyro-stabilised camera carrier, the rope and construction thereof and the software needed to operate the system, all of which has been achieved.
Control of the winch system is achieved through a hard link carried on fibre optic cables that run directly from the control desk to the winches. Control of the 3-axis stabilised camera gimbal, as well as the camera control and picture itself, travels inside the ropes by means of fibre optics. A camera operator is then able to send commands directly to the camera and remote head without the need for a wireless link, and bring the camera's HD signal back up the rope to the control station. According to H fner, the a challenging part of the project was designing a rope that would carry the payload, wind up and down on the motorised winches at high speeds, and still safely house the very fragile fibre optic cable so critical to the system. It has taken many months and countless tests to come up with the design of the fibre optic carrying rope. We are enormously proud to say that, despite the challenges, our highly specialised rope is locally produced and has proven effective - desp
Africa Stories
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story
by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...
18/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...
18/04/2024
Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...
18/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
18/04/2024
Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one...
17/04/2024
Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?The trailer debate is on! We'd like to spark the debate What's your favourite South African mov...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeedsDon't miss Wednesday, 17 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
17/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hij...
17/04/2024
Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...
17/04/2024
Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...
17/04/2024
Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...
17/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
17/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
17/04/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
17/04/2024
Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStvRhythm World's popular telenovela Sibongile and The Dlaminis' is the most-watched TV show o...
17/04/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
16/04/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
16/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway i...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troub...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they h...
16/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...
16/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
16/04/2024
Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's fashion telenovela House of Zwide' beat Scandal!' for the first time sinc...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worr...
15/04/2024
Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
15/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save LehasaDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her missionDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scand...
15/04/2024
Christianity: Four people who claimed to be JesusChristianity is one of the world's dominant religions, with more than 80% of South Africans following this ...
15/04/2024
House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
15/04/2024
Die Antwoord's collaborators: What they're doing nowDie Antwoord is a controversial hip-hop group founded in 2008. As a duo, they've also collaborat...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with ...
14/04/2024
Afrikaans television shows make a comebackClassic Afrikaans television shows are making a comeback, according to the streaming service AfriForumTV. Here's w...
12/04/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
12/04/2024
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
12/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile changes his mind about telling Faith that Zan...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors Season 1 finale!: Thandiswa learns that Mthetho and...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Babeile is shocked to find out who harmed SthokoDon't miss Thursday, 11 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
12/04/2024
Hollywoodbets introduces power couple as Brand Ambassadors, blending Sports and ...
12/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 11 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afr...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Gang operations in South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the resto...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Challenges faced when released from prisonFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorativ...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle finds herself on the wrong side of the lawDon't miss Friday, 12 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on ...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
Photo credit: Laeticia Nel Photography
