DIGITAL AZUL Elevate Production with ATLAS MODULAR Rail

Digital Azul is a leading independent production house with experience in creative and cost-effective productions, including broadcast and streaming, film studios, film services, multicamera productions, and high-speed cameras. When the opportunity to capture the dynamic competition for the TV Show “The Floor” arose, Digital Azul sought Slidekamera by MRMC’s ATLAS MODULAR Rail to capture every angle and elevate this broadcast and studio production to the next level.

“The Floor,” is a large-scale game show set in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring contestants competing on a massive interactive LED floor. The production required specialised camera equipment that could support a broadcast camera to capture the expansive game space from various angles. Additionally, due to the size of the game space, flexible camera equipment that can be controlled remotely was crucial to ensure smooth operation and accommodate the complexities of the show’s format. The show’s tight project timeline raised another problem: finding and deploying an innovative solution as quickly as possible with no errors.

Digital Azul previously used the Tango Slider and an Egripment Crane with a hot head. These systems had limitations, as they required manual operation and lacked motion control capabilities. With the ATLAS MODULAR Rail, the production house has overcome these limitations and is now able to automate movement for smooth motion capture, including heavy broadcast cameras.

Digital Azul Motion was brought in to deliver unique shots and dynamic camera movements that enhanced the visual presentation of the competition while allowing for flexible coverage of the contestants across the large-format LED playing surface. To meet the production’s objectives, they used a 20-meter ATLAS MODULAR Rail, which was installed inverted in a truss structure on the ceiling of the studio. Additionally, they used the HEAVY BULLHEAD remote robotic head in conjunction with an Ursa Broadcast G2 camera and a B4 Fujinon 4K wide-angle lens. This advanced robotic setup was controlled remotely using the Slidekamera Kairos controller, a multi-axis controller with a large joystick that accurately translates hand movements into camera position adjustments for a fully equipped motion control system.

Digital Azul chose Slidekamera by MRMC’s robotics for several reasons. The ATLAS rail’s IP control and integration into remote production workflows allow operators to manage movements from a distance. Additionally, its portability and ability to support various cameras, including heavy broadcast cameras, enable greater versatility of use. This simplifies production and boosts operational efficiency with minimal disruption in the game space.

Finally, the ATLAS MODULAR rail system’s motion control capabilities align perfectly with their requirements for broadcast applications and beyond – for example, in a live event for Red Bull and music concerts.

The production team were able to set up a wide variety of shots that delivered crane-like camera movements in a compact setup, fluid tracking shots over large stages and more to capture dynamic angles.