Shooting the Cinebot Nano Launch Film with Ben Sledge
For the Cinebot Nano launch, we wanted a film that truly showed what this lightweight, travel-friendly camera robot can do. We turned to Ben Sledge, a freelance motion control operator and filmmaker from Tampa. Ben, who fronts our MRMC Academy series and owns a Cinebot Mini, brought together a small team to create a film that captures the indie filmmaking spirit and shows the Nano in real-world use. We spoke with him about the process, the challenges, and why he sees the Nano as a game changer for the industry.
For the Cinebot Nano launch, we wanted a film that truly showed what this lightweight, travel-friendly camera robot can do. We turned to Ben Sledge, a freelance motion control operator and filmmaker from Tampa. Ben, who fronts our MRMC Academy series and owns a Cinebot Mini, brought together a small team to create a film that captures the indie filmmaking spirit and shows the Nano in real-world use. We spoke with him about the process, the challenges, and why he sees the Nano as a game changer for the industry.
In Conversation with Ben
What was your vision for bringing the Cinebot Nano to screen for the first time?
I’ve been fortunate enough to work directly with MRMC for a few years now, so I’m very familiar with their branding and I wanted to break the mold. I wanted to test the waters with something that’s a little slower paced with a conversational tone. I wanted the audience to get a sense of the capabilities of the Cinebot Nano by seeing it in action on a pseudo commercial film set.
Why did you choose Tampa as the location, and what role has the city played in your career?
I moved to Tampa during the pandemic to pursue my passion for film and it’s where I was first introduced to the world of motion control. I figured there was no better place to show off a tool designed for the next generation of operators than where it all began for me. There’s so much passion and talent in Tampa and I wouldn’t be where I am without this city!
Tell us about the crew you brought together and why they were right for this project.
I’ve worked closely with Miguel (DP) over the past year and have seen just how much of himself he puts into his work. He brings passion and talent while keeping me level-headed. Evan (Gaffer), Joe (Grip), and Niel (Gaffer) are some of the best around, prioritise safety, and make the set feel lighter. Matt (Audio) is brilliant and generous with his energy and knowledge, and Michael (Cam Op/BTS) just gets it and is always ready to help. With a small crew, having him on the team was essential.
I chose industry friends rather than models or actors and couldn’t be happier. Rose shoots commercials in Tampa and absolutely crushed it, even doing her own voiceover. Fletcher and Sophie brought fantastic energy, and so did everyone else. I treat everyone as a key member of the team and knew this crew would bring the right vibes.
How did you develop the style and concept for the film?
The commercial was meant to reflect the energy of the Cinebot Nano. It’s meant to feel like it was created by indie filmmakers, for indie filmmakers. Showing is always better than telling and I wanted to show the audience what it’s like to use the Cinebot Nano on a smaller commercial set by following Rose as she transports her Cinebot Nano from out of town to shoot some commercial content.
How did you make sure the film resonated with filmmakers and content creators?
I went to YouTube university and I always enjoyed seeing equipment actually being used so I could truly understand where it might fit in my arsenal. I wanted to have a young, aspiring filmmaker as the main character to give the audience someone to relate to and to show them a real world use case to hopefully spark some ideas.
What were some of the ways you showcased the Nano’s versatility?
Everything is better in 3’s. I worked with MRMC to hone in on 3 locations within the film and tried to showcase a different scenario in each location to showcase all of the unique capabilities, from a living room, to a kitchen, to on-top of a car!
Were there any challenges on set that tested the Nano?
I was honestly a little nervous about rigging the Cinebot Nano to a car using only suction cups. I actually mounted it vertically to my fridge just to test it out. I was also a little surprised at how difficult it ended up being to find someone who had a car with a sunroof and was willing to let me mount the Nano to it.
What stood out to you most about working with the Nano?
My back appreciates the weight and ease of transport. I also really loved the versatility right out of the box. I love that I can bounce between track, pedestal, tripod, upside down, and suction mounts very quickly. It opens so many doors for motion control on shoots that have tight schedules and tight spaces. I was also very impressed with how smooth everything is.
How do you see yourself using the Nano in your own work?
I currently travel for around half of my shoots and I would absolutely use the Cinebot Nano on the go. Having a tool in my bag that can fly with me would be extremely valuable. I’d also use it in locations that don’t have room for bigger robots or locations with weight restrictions like golf courses or houses/apartments with small elevators. I’d also use it as a model mover in combination with my Cinebot Mini to get some wild product shots.
Closing Thoughts
The Cinebot Nano promo showcases not just what MRMC’s latest camera robot can do, but also the creativity and passion of the people behind it. Huge thanks to Ben and his team for bringing it to life. You can watch the full film below.