Latest News

and Innovations

Filter by topic

Acclaimed DoP Talks About His Love Affair with Motion Control

I was hooked when I first saw the Rutger Hauer ‘Guinness’ commercial in the early 1990s done at ‘Telecine Cell’, when I was starting out as a runner at Central Television, in Birmingham. Anyone who remembers the charm and genius of that spot may feel the same way – but it simply blew me away […]

Macro Film Making – See the inside workings of a watch in HD!

John Redfern of Redfern Animation specialises in a unique combination of antique timepieces and film-making, to produce some of the most mesmerizing and beautiful footage of watches and clocks you have ever seen. With a client base ranging from museums to collectors and watch manufacturers, John has honed his skills for over 40 years to […]

Believe in Blue – New Police Commercial shot with Talos and Titan

PROJECT OVERVIEW Brain Candy Films were tasked by creative agency Tinker Taylor to create an epic film for the police to be shown in cinemas nationwide. The filmmakers decided to put the viewer right in the heart of the action, giving them a first hand insight into the demanding and diverse role of modern-day policing. […]

Get on the Red Carpet at NAB Show!

We have a great show this year at NAB! To show off our high-speed Bolt Cinebot rig we will give visitors their own ‘red carpet’ experience with the Bolt on Track shooting in slow motion! We will then put together a short video compilation at the end of the show and post it up on our company blog. Keep an eye […]

New MrMoco Training Course Dates

  We are delivering training for a range of Mark Roberts Motion Control robotics. Join our in-house training, and get hands on tuition and experience using our latest technologies. We deliver beginner, intermediate and advanced robotic courses. Training dates for 2016 are: Date Beginners Intermediate Advanced March    Tuesday 1st Wednesday 2nd Thursday 3rd June Tuesday […]

Bolt on Track is a Guitar Hero for Latest Video Game

Guitar Hero Freestyle Games has created the latest instalment of the music video game, Guitar Hero. The upcoming game dubbed Guitar Hero Live reboots the franchise since its first inception back in 2010. The game simulates a real-world concert setting from the perspective of the guitarist. Its soundtrack spans across a diverse range, and includes […]

NAB HIGHLIGHTS

At NAB we showed countless demonstrations and met many fantastic people. For us the show is a great opportunity to make new friends, meet old acquaintances and of course showcase all the latest developments we’ve been working on here at Mark Roberts. In case you missed us there, or perhaps just didn’t get a chance […]

New Developments at MRMC

At MRMC we are proud of our major new product releases and concentrate so hard on them we often forget the significance of our many incremental feature additions and product upgrades that occur on a daily basis but may not be headline news or create a flurry of press releases. Recently we’ve been looking through […]

MRMC Round-up of BIRTV and IBC 2013 Preview

MRMC partnered with Century Sage Scientific Group to introduce Polycam and the AFC-100 pan and tilt head to the Chinese market at BIRTV exhibition last month.   As a leading broadcast system integrator, CSS has the reputation, strong client base and technical expertise to showcase and introduce pioneering technology such as Polycam to the broadcast […]

MRMC expands its robotic product range to offer new opportunities for live sports

Visit: www.mrmoco.com/polycam UK-based robotics manufacturer Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC) has expanded its range of Polycam tracking systems to include Solo, Velocity and Auto. Launched at IBC last year, Polycam is a software controlled robotic system that allows multiple triangulated cameras and lenses to track a point (or numerous points) of interest, simultaneously and in […]

MRMC makes history with a revolutionary new solution for photographers

MRMC UK, 8th July 2013: Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC). takes a giant leap forward in photographic development, with the introduction of a revolutionary new robotics solution that allows professional photographers to achieve shots that were never before possible. Bob Martin, legendary sports photographer, made history at Wimbledon 2013 as the first photographer to trial […]

MRMC Release BOLT Hi-speed Cinebot rig in the UK

On the 20th of June Mr Moco Rentals in collaboration with Love High Speed and Park Royal studios released the Bolt high speed cinebot rig in the UK. For those of you who couldn’t make it here is a taste of what you missed. [vimeo clip_id=”69887138″] For more information on Bolt High Speed Cinebot rig. […]

AFC-100 Broadcast Head New Video and Spec Sheet

The AFC-100 offers unparalleled performance for a compact robotic head and provides advanced features designed to excel at a wide range of TV production requirements. From high speed live action, precise time-lapse and silent studio operation, the AFC-100 is built to exceed the most demanding of creative applications. With integrated I/O connectivity, network scalability, optional […]

Bolt – High Speed Motion Control Rig

Mark Roberts Motion Control, world leaders in customized motion control and robotic automation for the film and television industries, present the Bolt rig, for high-speed, shoot-friendly and broadcast applications. Compatible with almost any high-speed camera, Bolt is a new MRMC innovation in High Speed Motion Control, and is fully controllable using FLAIR Motion Control software. For more information, […]

Annual Service Calls & After Sales Customer Service Survey

In line with our commitment to provide quality, reliable, and cutting edge technology supporting Motion Control solutions, for the creative industries and professionals working in the creative industries. Mark Roberts Motion Control provides 24hr support 365 days a year. Our Senior Service Engineer has over 20 years experience in assisting Producers, DOP’s, Directors, Moco Operators, and Moco Providers with their […]

MRMC Broadcast Solutions – Evolutionary AFC-100 Head

Cutting Edge Motion Control solutions that push the envelope and keep the industry moving forwards has been the stock-in-trade for UK based company Mark Roberts Motion Control Ltd since it's inception nearly 50 years ago. So it was with a hint of nonchalance, but extreme pride, that the AFC-100 Broadcast Motion Control Head was released at the […]

Upcoming Exhibitions – BVE & NAB 2013

MRMC will be exhibiting the revolutionary patented Polycam system (https://www.mrmoco.com/wp/products/broadcast-solutions/polycam/) at BVE in London, 26-28th February (http://www.bvexpo.com/) as well as showing new developments in pan & tilt heads. The BVE expo is the essential broadcast and production technology event in London and features over 300 exhibitors. MRMC will be found with their products on the […]

MRMC creates bespoke High speed rotate Rig

We often get asked to go around a subject at high speed. This month we were asked to create a high speed rig for a client wanting to go at over 5m/s (16’/sec) around a subject while filming with a high speed Olympus i-Speed camera. Additionally they wanted to be able to go around and […]

**New Product Launch** – AFC100 Broadcast Motion Control Head

PRESS RELEASE – AFC100 Head – Accurate, Fast, Compact 3G HD Broadcast head released As part of its expansion of broadcast-related products and services, Mark Roberts Motion Control are releasing the AFC100 compact robotic head. The world’s first broadcast head with the option for full 3G HD-SDI capable slip-rings allowing unlimited, cable-free panning, as well […]

Motion Control Explained (MSA-20) Joystick Controller

The next installment of our series of mini-tutorials has just been uploaded to the Mark Roberts Motion Control YouTube site, this time the video features a tutorial on the joystick controller or (MSA-20). The Joystick controller allows our heads to be directly controlled as a remote or repeat head. The Joystick console can record multiple […]

**NEW** Robo Head – Don’t miss out Register Today

Mark Roberts Motion Control New “Robo Head” has a special pre-order price of just £2999. Don’t miss out on your chance to Pre-order at this special price. Register Today! The Robo-head has the following advantages: LOW-COST high-end, quality, pan tilt head. Light-weight aluminium construction with a 4kg/9lb payload. Ethernet controlled, which can include wi-fi or […]

Motion Control Explained – AEON Software Applications

Aeon is our motion control software designed specifically for timelapse or very simple stop frame animation. The user interface is very simple to use and its low cost means it is the most cost effective way to control one of our timelapse or animation heads. Aeon can run wirelessly from a PDA or wired from […]

Motion Control Explained – SFH30 Flair & Timelapse

The SFH-30 is one of our most popular heads. This versatile head can be used for many applications such as live-action, sports, Time-lapse, Stop-Frame animation, or High-speed shooting. This video offers a simple introduction to this popular Motion Control Pan-Tilt-Roll Head. https://www.mrmoco.com/wp/products/heads/SFH-30/ https://www.mrmoco.com/wp/products/broadcast-solutions/broadcast-robotic-heads/  

NEW DSLR Pan Tilt head – ROBO-HEAD – Pre-Order NOW.

Mark Roberts Motion Control are pleased to announce the imminent arrival of our latest DSLR pan tilt head, the Robo-head, to complement our best-in-class small heads, including the SFH-30. The Robo-head will provide the high specifications not normally only found in MRMC products but at a fraction of the cost. The Robo-head has the following […]

Secrets released and demonstrated at IBC 2012

Imagine setting up 10 cameras to broadcast a football game, or music concert, and then having only one operator controlling them simultaneously. Or imagine, having a full complement of camera positions and camera operators and then adding some additional automated camera positions for generating additional second-screen views and revenue, without having to increase man-power. These […]

Lighting up the V&A for the 2012 London Design Festival

Mark Roberts Motion Control was recently involved with Cinimod studios and their interactive lighting design project “Walk the Light”. Commissioned as part of London Design Festival 2012 the entrance walkway to the V&A Museum was bathed in colour that reacted to the movements of the people walking through the tunnel of light. The whole effect relied […]

Upcoming Flair Motion Control Software & Milo Training days

The next planned training dates for our Flair software, including basic Milo motion control rig training will be on the 20th-22nd November. The days are for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced, in that order. If you would like to register or get more information please contact us. Please call +44-(0)1342 838 000 or email info@mrmoco.com to […]

IBC 2012 & The Olympics Fully Covered

MRMC AT IBC, Amsterdam 7-11 September MRMC will be exhibiting again this year at IBC. Come and see us at stand 11.G35 and our technology will also be on display at the Nikon Europe stand (9.B14) on display and available for demo will be our ‘Polycam’ system. Polycam is an IP-based robotic camera system that […]

Motion Control Tutorial

Motion Control Tutorial from Mark Roberts Motion Control on Vimeo. This motion control tutorial is the most comprehensive, simple to understand explanation of what motion control is and how it is used in the TV and film industry. Over 25 mins you will be introduced to the Milo Motion Control rig, the most widely known […]

(Sneak Peek) SFH-30 with Car Mount

Sneak Peek SFH-30 with Car Mount The Mark Roberts Motion Control Pan/Tilt Head SFH-30 recently was mounted on a car. Here below is a sneak peek of what that looked like. The SFH-30 is precise enough to be completely pixel accurate with HD cameras yet compact and lightweight for ease of use and transportation to any […]

CineGear Expo 2012 Round-up

Mark Roberts Motion Control were in LA once more for the recent CineGear Expo at Paramount Studios. If you came to the Expo we would like to say thank-you for visiting us on the MRMC / Camera Control inc stand and speaking with our representative from Mark Roberts Motion Control Ltd. We trust you found […]

Cine Gear 2012

Mark Roberts Motion Control are attending Cine Gear Expo again in 2012. Look out for an exciting display of small heads and accessories all available right now. Some of these heads (15 in fact) are being used in the upcoming international sporting spectacle taking place in London England. Cine Gear will be taking place at […]

SFH-30 with RED Epic / Scarlet

At Mark Roberts Motion Control we do a small pan tilt head perfect for the Scarlet/Epic sized cameras, it is called the SFH-30. The SFH-30 can be controlled over Ethernet running from a joystick back to an AV room. One joystick can control several heads or you can have a dedicated joystick for each, depending […]

Mark Roberts Tributes

Tributes have been pouring in for Mark Roberts who founded Mark Roberts Film Services in 1966, this later became Mark Roberts Motion Control ltd as it is today. Mark’s Family would like to say a heartfelt thank-you for the hundreds of messages received. Here follows a small sample of them: “Please accept my sincere condolences […]

Mark Roberts – In Memorandum

Cine-Gear 2012 – Last Day Free Registration

  LAST DAY – FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION UNTIL MAY 26 ? 10:00am PDT   Register Now   * * * * * * * * * * * Exhibits  Friday, June 1     3:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday, June 2  10:00am – 5:00pm  See the Mark Roberts Motion Control Representative at Stand 60

MRMC – Flair via Ethernet & Product Developments

Mark Roberts Motion Control are leaders in the world of Motion Control Products, and have been supplying cutting edge Rigs and equipment to the industry for nearly 50 years*. Mark Roberts Motion Control rigs are now the defacto systems used around the world for feature films, music videos and commercials, with Broadcast solutions and other […]

Annecy 2012 – Mark Roberts Motion Control

Mark Roberts Motion Control will be returning to the annual showcase and celebration of professionalism and dedication to the world of Stop-motion animation, Annecy 2012. We attended for the first time only a couple of years ago, and are very proud and delighted to announce we will be returning again this year. The Animoko Rig, will […]

Nikon and Mark Roberts Motion Control

This Year MRMC have been working with Nikon and have appeared together at various expos, and exhibitions. We attended the Broadcast Video Expo in London Earls Court earlier this year. If we saw you there we appreciated the chance to meet with you and show some of our products including the SFH-30 pan tilt head with joystick […]

MRMC Underwater Heads

MRMC Underwater Heads Here you can see a photo of the Motion Control Pan-Tilt unit tested at Pinewood studios water tank at 6 metres depth. or alternatively click on the link below to see a video of it working in a swimming pool. The Underwater head is one area of major developments that MRMC have been […]

MRMC for Space Exploration

MRMC for Space Exploration Mark Roberts Motion Control equipment used in the exploration of Space? Yes! MRMC are proud to have provided equipment used for the development of space craft being developed by two separate companies developing the next generation of craft to replace the retired space shuttle. The companies involved are developing the different […]

Titan Telescopic Arm

Titan Telescopic Arm  Worlds largest telescopic motion control arm successfully used in productions. Called the Titan Arm and with an extended length of 9 metres (30 feet), it allows numerous shots to be created with motion control that would normally be impossible.   DON’T FORGET THE MOCO FORUM Remember everyone is welcome to become a member […]

Sneak Peek — NAB 2012

MRMC Monorail at NAB   Development at Mark Roberts Motion Control has been feverish in the last 12 months, including developing underwater motion control equipment, ethernet controlled hardware, EPIC/Scarlet & Alexa control interfaces and many different new versions of DSLR rigs, including equipment that will be used at the Olympics. At NAB we will be […]

The 7 Uses of Motion Control

The 7 Uses of Motion Control (This is the full article previously published in parts) Did we say 7 uses? – Well that’s not quite true. There are in fact countless. To many to list in a newsletter in detail, but there are generally 7 main reasons for using motion control.  These categories are listed below and we will be covering […]

SFH-30: The Creative's Mini-Head

SFH-30: The Creative’s Mini-Head The SFH-30 pan tilt head has been designed to provide precision, accuracy and versatility not found in similar sized heads, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including live action, events, sports broadcasting, stop-frame animation and time-lapse photography. click here to view the new flier. SFH-30_handout_LR

Mark Roberts Motion Control

Mark Roberts Motion Control was founded 40 years ago by Mark Roberts. Realizing that Motion Control was inadequate to the needs of animators, he decided to produce a more stable and reliable camera rig that would produce consistent and accurate control of the camera. Mark Roberts Motion Control website – www.mrmoco.com  Our goal is to […]

Aeon for iPhone

There is an upcoming new Aeon iPhone interface, allowing our SFH-30 Pan Tilt heads to be controlled wirelessly from the ever popular iPhone. The head can already be used with a PDA, or a netbook for doing simple timelapse shots, but the iPhone interface will make it the world’s first and only commercial motion control […]

New Products Success – A Sneak Peek

New Products Success – A Sneak Peek IBC Exhibition, Amsterdam, this month saw the release of a number of exciting new products by Mark Roberts Motion Control. If you weren’t there you’ll be finding out more about these products in the coming newsletters and website updates, but it suffices to say that some of these […]

The MOCO Forum

Don’t Forget the Moco Forum Remember everyone is welcome to become a free member of the online motion control forum. It’s a great place to ask questions about motion control and how to get things done on set or off. We want to see this service get used as much as possible so join today. http://www.mocoforum.com […]

First ever Milo Motion Control Rig on display at BIRTV

First ever Milo Motion Control Rig on display at BIRTV When: August 24th – 27th 2011 Where: China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, China Come and visit Mark Roberts Motion Control at this year’s BIRTV Exhibition in Beijing where for the first time ever we will have on display the Milo Motion Control Rig. We look […]

The RED Epic on the SFH-30 pan tilt head

The RED Epic on the SFH-30 pan tilt head The highly anticipated release of the RED Epic has begun rolling out with production versions now quickly making their way on to film sets and motion control rigs. We gave a new Epic, supplied by RED Europe based at Pinewood Studios, a test with one of […]

Mark Roberts Motion Control launch new website

Mark Roberts Motion Control launch new website:  www.mrmoco.com         Mark Roberts Motion Control are proud to announce the launch of our new website. Loaded with information on all of our rigs, heads and our full range of products including many on set shots and behind the scenes footage of our equipment in action. Take a look […]

New features added to the MSA-20 Handwheels

New features added to the MSA-20 Handwheels The features built into the MSA-20 Handwheels have been recently expanded with the addition of time-lapse shooting, to play back a recorded move one frame at a time or at very slow speeds. We have also incorporated a complete Preston lens control interface enabling the Preston unit to be used […]

Milo shoots “splashing” 3D Stereoscopic Spot for Fuji

Milo shoots “splashing” 3D Stereoscopic Spot for Fuji When Fuji wanted a commercial that really communicated the 3D Stereoscopic capabilities of their new camera, they turned to director Tim Stoffel to bring across the message about their Fuji Finepix Real 3dw3. The camera takes pictures in perfect stereo and even shoots 720p HD video in stereoscopic. With […]

MRMC at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles

MRMC at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles   3-4 June 2011, Los Angeles Register today MRMC will be exhibiting again this year at Cine Gear, Paramount Pictures Studio Lot. On display and available for demo will be some of our smaller rigs, the Ulti-Head and SFH-50. Follow the link above to register for free before […]

The release of the Animoko Rig

The release of the Animoko Rig Mark Roberts Motion Control is pleased to announce the completion and delivery of the first Animoko rig to La Cambre, the Belgian School of Visual Arts, for their Animation Department. (click here to visit the La Cambre website) The Animoko rig was named by Kommer Kleijn, the VFX Cinematographer who came to us […]

The Talos visits the Middle East

The Talos visits the Middle East The Talos is definitely clocking up it’s frequent flyer miles. As you have heard in previous newsletters, since the release of the rig it has been in use right across Europe. This past month saw the Talos make a trip to the sandy deserts of Egypt where it was used on […]

The Wireless MSA-20 and Ulti-Head

The Wireless MSA-20 and Ulti-Head The MSA-20 Handwheels and the Ulti-Head make a powerful pair, giving users a very versatile, easy-to-use, fully repeatable and motion control remote head. Now the pair have been improved even further by creating the world’s first WIRELESS remote and motion control head. With an indoor range of up to 250 feet the […]

The Modula' Rig – The transformer of motion control rigs

The Modula’ Rig – The transformer of motion control rigs This month saw the debut of the latest addition to the Modula’ Rig, its new jib arm, at the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) Show in London. The Modula Rig’ is now on its way to Poland, where the new owners, TPS, are eagerly awaiting its […]

The latest addition to the Mark Roberts Motion Control Range – The SFH-30

The latest addition to the Mark Roberts Motion Control Range – The SFH-30  Mark Roberts Motion Control are pleased to announce the latest addition to the range of animation and timelapse equipment on offer, the new SFH30 Stopframe and Timelapse motion control head. This compact and lightweight head is designed specifically for Digital SLR and compact […]

Oscar Winning Techniques for the Golden Compass

Oscar Winning Techniques for the Golden Compass In the last newsletter we told you about the success of The Golden Compass with its Oscar winning special effects. As part of creating Iorek the polar bear, Framestore CFC commissioned Ian Menzies from Motion Control Cameras to build a mechanical structure which would move with similar motion to a walking or galloping bear when mounted […]

*** Dulux Let’s Colour Project ***

Dulux Let’s Colour Project Working with Stink UK and Director Adam Berg (well known in the moco world as the Director of “Carousel” for Phillips, shot using the Milo by the VFX Co.) Let’s Colour was shot over five weeks and took us to four continents. The shoot started in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and ended in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India with a couple of […]

*** S4 Stereoscopic 3D Stepper with Convergence ***

 *** S4 Stereoscopic 3D Stepper with Convergence *** Shown here in a left frame and right frame position with a change of convergence Mark Roberts Motion Control have taken the ever popular 3D Stereoscopic stepper to new heights and are pleased to offer the new S4. The S4 is an ideal unit for anyone shooting […]

*** Precision Mini Pan/Tilt/Roll Head ***

*** Precision Mini Pan/Tilt/Roll Head ***  The SFH-50 shown with the Arri Alexa and RED  Click here to see footage of head on track at Interbee The new roll option on the SFH-50 Pan Tilt head offers what MRMC believe to be the worlds most compact Pan Tilt Roll head capable of carrying a wide range […]

Talos at Vis a Vis Film Germany

Talos at Vis a Vis Film Germany The below commercial for the VW Golf was shot in Berlin, Germany with the Talos motion control rig based at Vis a Vis Film. For the interiors the Vis a Vis Film crew used the SFH-30 pan tilt head with the RED One on it. The SFH-30 was chosen due to […]

S3 3D Stereoscopic Animation Unit

S3 3D Stereoscopic Animation Unit It is now 12 months since the S3 3D Stereoscopic Stepper/Slider unit was released and in that time it has gone from strength to strength being used in everything from commercials, to feature films and TV series and in all corners of the globe. Being compatible with MACs and PCs and all […]

Syndicate Milo – just add water

Syndicate Milo – just add water  Syndicate Entertainment AB – a VFX/moco facility based in Stockholm, Sweden – recently produced a promotional film for the release of Autodesk REVIT, a new architectural software. The production was driven from an animatic that was done in collaboration with the creative team from the agency. The challenge was to […]

Cheryl Cole, Three Words Music Video

Cheryl Cole, Three Words Music Video Cheryl Cole’s “Three Words” music video had the concept of one camera move for the duration of the video with a second camera breaking off to film an alternative camera path then rejoining the existing camera.  It would have been extremely hard to achieve this programming a motion control […]

Samsung 3D TV commercial, A New Dimension

Samsung 3D TV commercial, A New Dimension Rogue Films approached Ian Menzies with the project of shooting a commercial for Samsung’s first LED 3D TV. The aim was to create a 3D feel to a 2D image. The Director, Sam Brown and DP, Damien Morisot wanted to have a handheld look to all of the camera moves shot with the motion control […]

New Mexico State University Acquire the MRMC Modula Rig

*** New Mexico State University Acquire the MRMC Modula Rig *** New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute (CMI) is the first University in the USA to have acquired a Mark Roberts Motion Control Rig. Derek Fisher, the program’s Director of Animation and Visual Effects was appointed to head the effort to develop and equip CMI’s Motion Lab and […]

The Milos Wow at the Paris Fashion Show

The Milos Wow at the Paris Fashion Show Never thought a Milo would be walking down the catwalk at a fashion show?! Think again. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone comes up with another idea for motion control. This time Gainsbury & Whiting who were producing the Alexander McQueen Spring Summer 2010 collection […]

BIRTV 2009, see the first Milo in China

  *** BIRTV 2009, see the first Milo in China ***  Venue: China International Exhibition Center, Beijing China Exhibition Dates: 26th – 29th of August 2009 Visit MRMC at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Equipment Exhibition where we will be demonstrating the first Milo Motion Control Rig in China! For more information or to let us know […]

Introducing the Motion Controlled Ladder Dolly

Introducing the Motion Controlled Ladder Dolly A couple of SFH-30 Pan-Tilt head owners have asked about using their Ladder dolly in combination with the SFH-30. A ladder dolly is a very lightweight dolly that uses ladders as rails for the dolly. The advantages for location work are numerous, one can easily buy or borrow a […]

Shotbox welcome the arrival of their Modula Rig in Prague

Shotbox welcome the arrival of their Modula Rig in Prague Shotbox are now the proud owners of a new Modula Rig. Located in Prague, Shotbox are a tabletop and SFX Studio who pride themselves on making innovative footage of food, beverage and other products. With the use of motion control and the Modula Rig they […]

The BSC Show, 13th and 14th of March

 The BSC Show, 13th and 14th of March    MRMC will be exhibiting at the British Society of Cinematographers in March at Elstree Film & TV Studios in London. Everyone is welcome to visit.  The Talos Motion Control Rig, Modula Rig system and the SFH-30 pan tilt head will be on show and available for demo. […]

The Talos – one year on

The Talos – one year on   The Talos has been doing a lot of travelling in the last year, with 2008 marking its first year in full service. The start was in Italy on the new action feature film of Tom Tykwer “The International”, to be released this year, but since then it showed up in […]

SFH-30, from stop motion animation to live action sports

SFH-30, from stop motion animation to live action sports The SFH-30 pan tilt head is getting around. This past month we received photos from customers who are now using the head: In Slovenia, AAtlanta, who just acquired the SFH-30 in December have put it to use on the set of “The Kiddo – Slingshot”, a stop […]

Milo on the set of Max Payne

Milo on the set of Max Payne In our May 2008 newsletter we mentioned Operator Jerry Andrews and Technician Craig Perrin from Kinetic Camera in Toronto had been working with a Milo on the feature film Max Payne. At the time we couldn’t say or show a whole lot. With the film now released here are some photos and details of how the […]

The extremely versatile SFH-30

The extremely versatile SFH-30  From basketball and football broadcast events, stop frame animation, remote head camera work for commercials to crowd timelapse photography, the SFH-30 seems to be everywhere making that perfect shot attainable. Due to its small light-weight build, low cost, high precision and its ability to handle the RED and other small HD cameras, the […]

Losito International Films welcome the arrival of their Milo

Losito International Films welcome the arrival of their Milo Based in Italy, Losito International Films, one of the leaders in the film and TV industry High speed and Table-top/special effects are now the proud owners of their very own Milo Motion Control Rig. Now combining Motion Control with High speed special effects, the Losito crew are […]

Welcome to Motion Control 3D!

Welcome to Motion Control 3D! Note – this product is now released and available to order. See S3 Stereosopic Stepper Unit  The Academy Award winning team at Mark Roberts Motion Control are pleased to announce the up-coming release of a vital tool for any stop-frame animators looking to produce in 3D Stereoscopic. The field of 3D […]

Ulti Head on track shoot, Gordon Ramsay: Cook Along Live

Ulti Head on track shoot, Gordon Ramsay: Cook Along Live Freelance Operator Ian Menzies recently did a shoot in conjunction with Kontrol Freax and MRMC for a Channel 4 commercial, Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live. Using the Ulti-Head on track and a Genesis camera the first day was spent shooting Gordon. Mimic pan bars were used to control the pan and tilt […]

BIRTV Exhibition, Beijing China, 5 – 8 November

BIRTV Exhibition, Beijing China, 5 – 8 November MRMC will be in Beijing, China for the annual BIRTV exhibition at the China International Exhibition Centre where we will have our equipment on show and available for demos. The exhibition starts on the 5th of November and runs until the 8th of November. You can visit […]

Milo Shoot, Natasha Bedingfield, “Angel”

Milo Shoot, Natasha Bedingfield, “Angel”   Camera Control Inc recently operated the Milo on Natasha Bendingfield’s “Angel” music video. The Milo motion control rig was used to achieve multiple passes of Natasha in the various sets and in a variety of costumes. Flair motion control software was used to program the panning off speed, then matched to the panning on […]

The first Milo in Lebanon

The first Milo in Lebanon          Third Eye FX is now the hub of motion control in Lebanon and surrounding regions having just bought their very own Milo Motion Control Rig!  This is the first Milo to be placed and operated in the Middle East.  As well as offering rental of the Milo in all regions of the Middle […]

MRMC Motion Control and Flair Training

MRMC Motion Control and Flair Training This past month we completed another successful training programme. Five people attended the three day course gaining basic and advanced skills in using Flair and operating the Milo. The course was run by Assaff Rawner and attendees came from the North of England and as far away as Italy, […]

Cambotics Broadcast Robotics Reseller

Cambotics Broadcast Robotics Reseller While Mark Roberts Motion Control equipment is most known in the realms of film, commercials and music videos, we have also supplied the TV industry on countless occasions. In order to offer an even greater range of broadcast equipment for the TV industry, MRMC are working in collaboration with Cine-TV Broadcast Systems and Cambotics […]

A 3rd Axis for the Ulti-Head

A 3rd Axis for the Ulti-Head  Mark Roberts Motion Control are proud to announce their latest new option for the high precision pan-tilt Ulti-Head, the MRMC manufactured full roll or 3rd axis. This option was also released at this year’s IBC and was shown on the Talos rig. The 3rd axis can take a wide range of cameras, […]

Interesting US locations

Interesting US locations Here are some shots from Camera Control Inc. shooting on location in the US: The Modula Rig in the Imperial Dunes shooting time-lapes with two Nikon D3 cameras. The day before the shoot, 50 foot of track was laid on a steel deck in the dunes. Have you done something cool with motion control? […]

Recent Credits

Recent Credits Here are a few of the recent Feature Films that Mark Roberts Motion Control equipment has been used on:              James Bond: Quantum of Solace You Don’t Mess with the Zohan Avatar Max Payne The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The SFH-30 demonstration video

The SFH-30 demonstration video With floods of enquires and requests for different controllers for different applications, the Mark Roberts Motion Control design team have created systems for all users. For broadcast applications and small HD video cameras there are pan bars, hand wheels or a joystick console. For stop frame animation there is our Flair computer […]

IBC 2008

IBC 2008, Sept 12th-16th – BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW   IBC 2008 Yes, its that time of the year again. Time to get onto your favourite travel website and book your tickets for Amsterdam! Mark Roberts Motion Control will be at this year’s IBC exhibiting our latest motion control technology. On display and available for demo will be […]

What do Motion Control Operators get up to in their spare time?

What do Motion Control Operators get up to in their spare time? See the below youtube video from Motion Control Supervisor Nigel Rowe from Turner Studios.  He was recently in South America and made some interesting discoveries. The below video is the last thing we heard from Nigel and the Motion Control crew at Turner Studios…

Another CONTROL for complete Motion Control

Another CONTROL for complete Motion Control For broadcast television and general simple pan, tilt, zoom control applications, SFH-30 or Ulti-Head users may be pleased to know there is a simple joystick controller. This has the same record and playback facilities like the MSA-20 Handwheels but with a very simple 3-axis joystick controller. Additional motions like […]

Bond no Match For Motion Control

Bond no Match For Motion Control Motion Control Operator Ben Goldschmied from Motion Control Cameras Ltd. recently did a MILO shoot with James Bond (Daniel Craig) that tested him to his limits. Here’s what he had to say about it: THE MILO ON SET “Motion Control Cameras were approached to film this commercial with a short brief […]

Modula Motion Control Rig Specs – now available in Chinese

Modula Motion Control Rig Specs – now available in Chinese The Modula Motion Control Rig specs have now been translated and are available in Chinese. Please contact us to request these. We are now working on subtitling our Motion Control Tutorial in Chinese. Contact us to place an advance order for your copy.

Famous Second User Milo for Sale

Famous Second User Milo for Sale MRMC have available for sale a second user Milo, which has worked on such well known movies as Superman Returns, The Matrix Trilogy, Babe, Pitch Black, Ghost Ship and many others. It includes many extras, even a full set of curved rails, and a Slimline pan-tilt-roll head. Second user […]

Aardman Animations add the SFH-30 to their arsenal of moco equipment.

Aardman Animations add the SFH-30 to their arsenal of moco equipment.  Triple Oscar Winners Aardman Animations Ltd. have just acquired the SFH-30. This compact, lightweight pan tilt head is designed specifically for Digital SLR, compact video, HD cameras or even the RED camera. The SFH-30 provides precision and accuracy not normally found with similar sized heads, making it suitable for a […]

Milo on set for the feature film Max Payne

Milo on set for the feature film Max Payne Kinetic Camera in Toronto recently completed shots for the feature film Max Payne, due to be released in October this year. We can’t give you any images at this time, but we can tell you that one of the scenes was an establishing shot of Max, played […]

The Ulti-Head – Head to head with a Gorilla

The Ulti-Head – Head to head with a Gorilla Camera Control Inc. in Santa Monica have over the past several months shot several commercials using their Ulti-Head including this one below for AMP. The Ulti-Head was used on numerous shots allowing the stunt sequences of a gorilla crashing through a glass window to be combined with extras and actors […]

Mark Roberts Motion Control at Cine Gear Expo – June 20th 2008

Mark Roberts Motion Control at Cine Gear Expo – June 20th 2008     Next month Mark Roberts Motion Control will be showing the new Talos motion control rig at Cinegear. This will be the first appearance of the hugely popular Talos in North America since its debut at IBC, Amsterdam, in September last year. […]

Need Rental Advice on Motion Control Equipment?

Need Rental Advice on Motion Control Equipment? In a recent survey conducted by Mark Roberts Motion Control we found that one of the services you wanted from us was advice and options of what to rent and where to rent motion control equipment from. We are more than happy to offer this service and answer any […]

Flair Demonstration Video

Flair Demonstration Video We get asked many questions about Flair, our powerful motion control software and for years have allowed people to freely download the software from our website together with a manual. Now to make trying out Flair even simpler, we have made a short video tutorial to guide you through the first steps […]

Curved Rail

Curved Rail Ever needed motion control on curved rails? Then contact us, we have the solution for you! If you missed the Ulti-Head running on curved rails at the BSC show but want more information, then let us know. Contact info@mrmoco.com

SFH-30 Head Spec Sheet

 SFH-30 Head Spec Sheet Due to the huge demand for more information we have received after the release of the SFH-30, we have put together a spec sheet on this new head. Click here to download the SFH-30 spec sheet.

What has the Talos been up to since its release?

What has the Talos been up to since its release? At last year’s IBC you saw the release of the Talos. So what has it been up to since? The Talos has been in use right across Europe. It is extremely popular due to it’s light weight, simplicity and speed of set up and it’s […]

Motion Control helps The Golden Compass to the Best Visual Effects Academy Award this year

Motion Control helps The Golden Compass to the Best Visual Effects Academy Award this year It was good news for The Golden Compass at the Academy Awards when they beat off stiff competition from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Transformers to take Hollywood’s highest accolade in best visual effects. Framestore CFC, who were honoured in Hollywood last week, provided key […]

The RED Camera used on Mark Roberts Motion Control rigs

The RED Camera used on Mark Roberts Motion Control rigs With the first RED cameras shipping at the end of 2007, we are now starting to see them being used in conjunction with precision motion control. Dennis Henry, owner of MC2 used a RED camera on his Cyclops motion control rig and had the following to say, “The shoot […]

Motion Control in Colleges and Universities

Motion Control in Colleges and Universities An increasing number of media, film and computer graphics degree courses are including motion control as a major part of their curriculum. While motion control has been a standard part of filming and special FX for many years, it has rarely been given as much importance at higher education […]

The BSC Show, 14th and 15th of March

The BSC Show, 14th and 15th of March 2008 The largest British Society of Cinematographers event will be taking place at Elstree Studios this week on the 14th and 15th (Friday and Saturday). Mark Roberts Motion Control will be there exhibiting our Modula Rig, new SFH-30head and a wireless Ulti-Head. We’ll be giving demonstrations and tutorials on these and […]

CCI on set with Milos and Ulti-heads

CCI on set with Milos and Ulti-heads Camera Control Inc. (CCI), the largest resource of Mark Roberts Motion Control systems on the West Coast of America recently sent us some great shots of some of their equipment on location. CCI have a large inventory including Milos, Milo Long Arm, Slimline Heads, Ulti-heads, Guinness Head, Panther Systems, a […]

SIGGRAPH 2007 Best of Show Award for ARK

SIGGRAPH 2007 Best of Show Award for ARK The new short animated film “Ark” by Grzegorz ‘Greg’ Jonkajtys (director, producer) and Marcin Kobylecki (producer), has received a number of awards this year including the Best of Show award at SIGGRAPH 07. Shot using the Milo from Platige Image mounted (as you can see in the […]

Track & Lift Column on Modula' Rig

Track & Lift Column on Modula’ Rig Mark Roberts Motion Control recently delivered the first Modula’ Rig lift column to TPS in Poland, http://www.tps.com.pl . This system is designed to be a lot more portable than our larger systems and works directly with the popular Ulti-head. We made a brief web-movie of the system which you can view […]

Exhibitions, Expos & Conventions – BSC, Cinegear, BIR-TV, IBC

Exhibitions, Expos & Conventions – BSC, Cinegear, BIR-TV, IBC Mark Roberts Motion Control have exhibited newly developed equipment at a number of shows recently and there are some more major exhibitions in the coming weeks. First this year was the British Society of Cinematographers exhibition which was the first public outing for the new Modula’ […]

CGI Virtual Camera Handwheels – The Motion Box – MOBO

CGI Virtual Camera Handwheels – The Motion Box – MOBO The use of handwheels (or Panbars) combined with a virtual camera in a CGI world has been growing in leaps and bounds. Initially used on purely CG Animation projects like “Polar Express”, a number of live-action feature films and projects have since been using the handwheels […]

Wireless and Tilt Options for the Ulti-head

Wireless and Tilt Options for the Ulti-head  New and exciting options are continously being developed for the Ulti-head. At IBC we showed an Ulti-head with the new Pan slip-rings to allow for unlimited rotation. Now we have the secondary tilt support option which adds more rigidity to the L-shaped Ulti-head by easily turning it into […]

The Biggest Rig Ever?

The Biggest Rig Ever? MRMC upgrade The VFX Co’s Cyclops with a 9m Long Arm Is this the biggest motion control rig on the planet? Mark Roberts Motion Control were proud to deliver this month an upgrade to the VFX Co’s Cyclops motion control system to allow it to carry their 9 metre long Carbon Fibre Arm – almost doubling […]

Makina Creative Post premiers Milo in Turkey

Makina Creative Post premiers Milo in Turkey Turkish company Makina Creative Post started their motion control journey with an extraordinary shoot.  Having taken delivery of a brand new Milo they were challenged with shooting “Dream in Efes” which was the first big budget international commercial for Efes, a leading Turkish beer brand.  The commercial illustrates the taste of Efes in […]

Award winning Milo at IBC

Award winning Milo at IBC  IBC Honors Award recipient – Aardman Animations – showing Milo at IBC Yet again Aardman Animations are scooping awards, this time, the IBC International Honour For Excellence has been awarded to the world famous four times Oscar winning company. So to celebrate this and in association with Aardman we will be exhibiting […]

COMPANY PROFILE – MOTION CONTROL CAMERAS

MOTION CONTROL CAMERAS Ian Menzies of Motion Control Cameras speaks to us about how his close association with our team here at Mark Roberts Motion Control has enabled them to be pioneers in the field of Motion Control filming. Ian, a highly experienced motion control operator and in the business for the last 15 years, was the very first operator to […]

MRMC success at Cine Gear Expo

MRMC success at Cine Gear Expo We had a successful Cinegear Expo 2006 in LA last month.  Located on the Panther Dollies and Cranes booth – our collaboration partners for many years – we displayed two of our Pan/Tilt Ulti-heads.  One Ulti-head was running as a motion control system together with a Track axis (pictured above left) and a […]

Rig Model in Flair and V5 development

Rig Model in Flair and V5 development Several major new developments have recently been added to Flair with more planned for the rest of the year. The first is the implementation of a 3D graphical model of the Milo within Flair. This allows the user to program in moves and view on-screen how the rig will perform […]

MRMC Maquette System

MRMC Maquette System A few months ago MRMC delivered an interface to the VFX Co to provide them with a 6-degrees of freedom model-mover system for special effects. The motion base platform is capable of moving a 1-ton load in any direction or rotation and is currently being used for a feature film to simulate […]

BSC Show Success

BSC Show Success The new Ulti-head track system and 360 degree roll shown at the British Society of Cinematographers show last month proved very popular. Working with industry standard rails and using MRMC racking or toothed belt (on request), the system provides an invaluable additional axis of motion to the Ulti-Head. Able to achieve speeds in excess […]

MRMC’s 40th Birthday Celebrations

MRMC’s 40th Birthday Celebrations This year sees the celebration of forty years of innovation from Mark Roberts Motion Control. The history of our company started with Mark Roberts, our founder and chairman, who was born in Western Australia in the early 30’s.  After his education in civil engineering he moved to the UK where upon he had several careers including a […]

Announcing ‘Talos’ the latest motion control rig from Mark Roberts Motion Control

Announcing ‘Talos’ the latest motion control rig from Mark Roberts Motion Control The Talos, to be released later this year, will be our latest compact, lightweight, portable, live-action rig designed for Motion Control. This latest design incorporates all the unique concepts, knowledge and skills from the same Academy Award winning design teamgiving you the best performance possible in […]

Motion Control Training Courses

Motion Control training courses We would like to hear from you if you are interested in attending our Motion Control Training Courses. Following several requests we run a series of training courses for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced operators. These courses are tutored using a Milo motion control rig and teach the setting up of a Milo, […]

New MSA-20 STAND ALONE SYSTEM

New MSA-20 STAND ALONE SYSTEM We are proud to announce the that the Ulti-head as well being offered as a full motion control head now has an option which allows it to be purchased as a stand alone remote repeat head, without the Flair software. Connecting the Ulti-head to the newly developed MSA-20 handwheels, allows the head to […]

ULTI-HEADS SHOW OFF THEIR NEW OWNERS

ULTI-HEADS SHOW OFF THEIR NEW OWNERS Camera Control Inc based in Los Angeles took delivery of two Ulti-heads from Mark Roberts Motion Control in December last year adding to their two Milos and  Panther dolly.   Operators Chris Toth and Jan Beran both seriously contemplating just how good the Ultihead is! Manager, Jason Rau had this to say “After many years of lugging around […]

OSCAR SUCCESS FOR AARDMAN

OSCAR SUCCESS FOR AARDMAN Nick Park and Steve Box win The Oscar for ‘Best Animated Feature’   Aardman were delighted last night when they picked up an Oscar for the Best Animated Feature. Commenting on this fantastic news Nick Park said “Both Steve Box and myself are just overjoyed and feel very privileged to have won this Oscar. The crew at Aardman deserve this […]

Developments at MRMC

Developments at MRMC Looking back over 2005 we’ve had an astonishing year. It saw the development of new handwheels, an Ulti-head track system, a motion base interface, new panbars, a broadcast touchscreen interface, new lens control motors, a high definition interface and numerous new software features in Flair. We hosted a number of well attended demonstration days all […]

Ikea in a spin

Ikea in a spin Having taken delivery of their Milo this summer, Syndicate Technologies based in Sweden immediately got their Milo into action filming the most quintessentially of Swedish exports…IKEA This was Ikea’s first web only commercial. The campaign is called “Dreamkitchens for everyone” and shows six kitchens in a time slice format which turn […]

Prestigious BAFTA Award for Dupe

Prestigious BAFTA Award for Dupe We are very proud to announce that Dupe (featured in our October motion control Blog,) was awarded Best Short Film at the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2005 earlier this month. For those of you overseas or unawares, BAFTA or British Academy of Film & Television Arts Awards are kind of our equivalent to the […]

Aardman Animates Another Hit!

Aardman Animates Another Hit! The cheese-loving Wallace and his ever faithful dog Gromit—the much-loved duo from Aardman’s Oscar®-winning clay-animated “Wallace & Gromit” shorts—star in an all new comedy adventure, ‘Wallace & Gromit – The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’. The acclaimed latest feature from the award winning team was shot extensively with motion control equipment (twenty […]

Koreans visit MRMC

Koreans visit MRMC Last month saw the factory at Sussex be host to a whole variety of visitors including a special delegation from Korea who came to receive some additional training in the use of their Milo. The two companies involved, ETRI and Daesang, received in-depth training from Peter Rush, our chief service engineer, as well […]

Greetings from IBC

Greetings from IBC We would like to thank all the visitors who came to see us last month at IBC 2005 in Amsterdam. This was a very successful, ever growing event, and we hope you liked what you saw, including a prototype for the new 360-degree roll for the Ulti-Head. As usual the DVD showreel was […]

Motion Magic for Paheli – Courtesy of Asia Image Magazine

Motion Magic for Paheli – Courtesy of Asia Image Magazine Paheli, the latest Indian blockbuster by acclaimed director Amol Palekar and producer-actor Shah Rukh Khan, shows how motion control can solve the most difficult of visual effects shots. Romance, drama, betrayal. The dilemma of lovers, a symphony emotions, an encounter with the supernatural. A mix of […]

Cloning Around – by Chris Waitt

Cloning Around – by Chris Waitt  The challenge of the movie Dupe was that the script called for several identical people. Award-Winning Director Chris Waitt describes how motion control was the answer. Dupe is a short film, funded by the UK Film Council as part of their Digital Shorts scheme. It tells the story of […]

NETZERO Shoot at CCI

  NETZERO Shoot at CCI In a recent commercial for Net Zero, an Internet provider, production company Patriot Pictures and Riot used Camera Control Inc with their Milo long arm and Slimline Fries camera to shoot a series of pre-visualised moves of a Net Zero customer enjoying his Hyper Fast Internet experience. The concept called […]

British Airways Shoot for “Knucklehead”

British Airways Shoot for “Knucklehead” The latest BA commercial, directed by award winner Daniel Barber from Knucklehead , used extensive motion control techniques supplied by the Visual Effects Company based in London. The commercial begins outside the window of a flat looking at a man inside. With the hero character staying centre frame, the camera […]

We've moved at IBC

We’ve moved at IBC Unbelievably it’s that time of year again! IBC is less than 5 weeks away.  We’ll be there but please note we will be in a different hall to the previous 5 years – now in Hall 11 along with all other camera equipment, look out for us on Booth 705.  This […]

MRMC Announcement

MRMC Announcement We are pleased to announce the recent promotion of James Biggs to General Manager at Mark Roberts Motion Control.  In this role he will be responsible for the day to day running of the company.  James started at MRMC 9 years ago as a mechanical fitter following a long career in the Navy.  […]

IBC2005 Already?

IBC2005 Already? You might think IBC2005 is still a long way away but it is never too early to register. Registering early not only saves you time but also gives FREE entry into the exhibition hall saving you 55.- Euros. Here’s your chance to register FREE for IBC2005 and registering is easy! Visithttp://www.ibc.org/2002/plan/pytreg.html. Simply follow […]

Ulti-Head Package Pricing From £34,900!

Ulti-Head Package Pricing From £34,900! Do you know you how low-cost Motion Control can be?   Many people do not realise that getting a simple motion control system need not be expensive. In fact, with pricing for an Ulti-Head package starting at £34,900, it costs less than many remote pan and tilt heads which have no motion […]

The Life Aquatic For Milo

The Life Aquatic For Milo A recent Disney Picture starring Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett featured several shots created with a couple of Milo motion control systems, supplied and operated by Motion Control Cameras, UK. The Life Aquatic is Wes Anderson’s (The Royal Tannenbaums, Rushmore) latest creation.  The film which was shot in Italy in […]

Point Tracking Demo at ARRI Media

Point Tracking Demo at ARRI Media Many of you may have seen the new Mark Roberts Motion Control Ulti-head being exhibited at various shows.  It’s an extremely accurate pan/tilt head specifically designed for motion control and runs from Flair software. When the Ulti-head is mounted on an encoded Technocrane it can perform a feature called ‘point […]

Jerry Andrews is Calling North America…

Jerry Andrews is Calling North America… There are currently three MRMC Milo cranes based in the Eastern half of North America. Two of these are in Canada and the other is based in Atlanta, Georgia. While this large region is fertile ground for creative visual effects in feature films, broadcast television and music videos, recent economic […]

Bolex Camera Video Assist

Bolex Camera Video Assist Mark Roberts Motion Control is nearing completion of its new Bolex 16mm camera video assist. The colour video assist allows the camera, which is very popular with 16mm animation companies as well as other applications, to be used without having to look through the viewfinder or more importantly to be used […]

Ulti-Head at Panavision

Ulti-Head at Panavision At the request of freelance motion control operator/director Jay Mallet we took the Ulti-Head to Panavision UK to try it out with Panavision cameras and lenses and run a few tests. Here are a couple photos showing the afternoon which proved a good success with everyone who saw it.

Contact Us