Picture this: a dynamic blend of precision, speed, and creative prowess, all seamlessly orchestrated to bring your events to life like never before. In a world where traditional camera setups limit your vision, discover solutions that can overcome these challenges — robotic cameras. 

Join us as we explore how these cutting-edge systems can propel your live event and video productions to unparalleled heights, offering a new era of audience engagement, immersive shots, and the freedom to explore creative possibilities you’ve only dreamed of before. 

Be More Discreet
One of the primary advantages of using robotic cameras is their ability to eliminate the need for a camera operator and grip, resulting in a more discreet setup. With no obstructions between the audience and the performance, viewers can enjoy an uninterrupted view. This enhanced visibility improves the experience and opens up valuable seating space, which can generate extra revenue. 

By utilizing technology like the Furio+ system’s unique StableTrac platform, operators can ensure smooth and precise movements, even on temporary flooring or uneven track surfaces, allowing for uninterrupted shots without compromising stability. By minimizing the physical footprint, robotic cameras provide an unobtrusive solution that blends seamlessly into the production environment. 

Capture Visuals that are Fast, Dynamic, and Engaging 
Robotic cameras offer the option to pre-program moves and apply presets, resulting in faster, more dynamic, and more engaging visuals. By automating camera movements, event producers can achieve consistent shots with accurate movement from point to point at the push of a button, regardless of the camera’s position. This repeatability ensures that the same captivating shots can be recreated for each performance, enhancing the overall production value. 

With the ability to precisely control pan, tilt, and zoom functions, robotic cameras allow for smooth and seamless transitions between shots, enhancing the visual storytelling of the event. Operators can make manual adjustments on top of programmed movements, offering unmatched flexibility over traditional cameras, and empowering event producers to capture the perfect shots consistently, enabling them to deliver visually stunning and memorable experiences.

Robotic cameras can also be positioned where a staffed camera would be impractical or impossible to reach. That allows event producers to capture perspectives that would otherwise be unattainable. Whether it’s capturing aerial shots, immersive close-ups, or dynamic tracking shots, these looks enhance the production value and unlock new creative possibilities.

Get into Position Quickly 
Compared to manual cameras, robotic systems allow for quicker positioning, enabling producers to cover more shots with a single camera. For example, the Furio+ system can move at speeds of up to 2.5m/s without compromising the quality of the shots. This agility reduces the setup time needed for camera and operator positioning within a specified area. 

Furio+ also includes built-in power bars and cable management features, further simplifying the setup process. By eliminating the need for multiple cameras and operators, event producers can achieve greater efficiency and streamline their workflows, and ensure comprehensive coverage without sacrificing time or quality of the shots.

Create Jib-Like Shots with Minimal Footprint
Robotic camera systems offer the ability to create jib-like shots without requiring significant amounts of space. By using a system like the Furio+, event producers can reduce the real estate required for hardware, thereby increasing their return on investment. The system’s versatile lift height and fast pan and tilt speeds provide opportunities for more creative shots. Whether it’s capturing sweeping arcs or dynamic vertical movements, robotic cameras offer flexibility and precision in achieving jib-like shots. By maximizing the creative potential of camera movements, productions can deliver visually captivating sequences that add depth and excitement to the overall experience. 

Accurately Recall Shots at the Push of a Button
With robotic camera systems, event producers can accurately recall both static and moving shots instantly. This automation reduces the risk of manual errors, increases efficiency, expands creative possibilities, and provides a better return on investment. 

From reproducing specific camera angles to planning out complex movements, robotic cameras ensure consistency and precision in capturing each performance. The ability to recall shots at the push of a button simplifies the production process and allows event producers to focus on other critical aspects of the event. By minimizing the complexity and potential for human error, robotic cameras provide a reliable and efficient solution for achieving consistent and high-quality shots throughout the live event.

Robotic camera systems like the Furio+ offer numerous benefits for live event productions. From enhancing audience visibility and increasing seating capacity to capturing dynamic shots and unique perspectives, these systems revolutionize the way productions are captured. By embracing robotic cameras, event producers can create immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact on audiences. With their versatility, speed, and precision, robotic cameras are a valuable tool for enhancing live event productions and delivering visually stunning performances.

Learn More
91ĚŇÉ« has the most complete robotics offering available, whether you are looking for the unparalleled smoothness of a track-based system, the unbeatable flexibility of a free-roaming pedestal, or the simple efficiency of a standalone pan & tilt head. All Ross robotic systems are designed, developed, and manufactured in-house, using state-of-the-art technologies that provide industry-leading accuracy, precision, and payload capacity.

The post Elevate Live Events: The Power of Rail-Based Robotic Cameras appeared first on 91ĚŇÉ«.

Traditionally, TV broadcasters have led the way in set design. They hired the very best designers to ensure that their sets were modern and innovative. Today, set design is being used in new ways – from Fortune 100 corporations leveraging video to connect with new and existing customers, employees, partners, and shareholders, to worship productions looking for more creative, inspired storytelling. These new types of sets often that rival the news, weather, and sports show set designs seen on mainstream TV programs.

At the same time, everyone is under pressure to create more content while reducing costs, which leads to the inevitable introduction of robotic camera systems and automation in these cutting-edge sets. Robotic camera systems, whether they’re floor- or ceiling-mounted, also enable the users to create captivating, dynamic camera shots that “wow” their audiences.

Set Designer’s Perspective

When designing a new set, the designer must combine different, seemingly contradictory aesthetic and functional requirements. Some broadcasters still use static viewpoints in their shots, but this is rapidly being replaced by moving viewpoints, mostly from either free-roaming, rail-based or jib-based cameras.

Hence, it’s not a surprise that leading designers like Mack McLaughlin, CEO & Creative Director for FX Design Group, start the design process for their sets with the camera shots. It’s important for the designer to know how many cameras are available and whether they’re fixed or robotic cameras, as this allows them to get an idea of how the set can work around the camera. Robotic cameras offer the benefit of movement, which allows for greater flexibility when planning the set’s layout. “If they have robotic cameras and jibs, then we have an opportunity to open things up a little bit – to give them more freedom in the design so it’s not as locked-in,” McLaughlin says.

Watch our complete interview discussing TV set design, robotic cameras and industry trends with Mack McLaughlin here:

It’s important that these cameras are non-intrusive and well-integrated with the rest of the beautifully crafted set, but the set must still give the cameras all the freedom to create those spectacular shots. This poses a few challenges.

Broadcast Set Design Challenges

Integrating Cameras and Prompters

To create dynamic shots, producers will often use rail-based dolly systems, but many prefer to hide them so that they’re not shown in the broadcast. Some do show them, but they have to be part of the design by looking attractive and blending in well with the rest of the set.

Integrating teleprompters is another challenge. Set designers want to make everything look stylish, but teleprompters are typically not attractive pieces of design. On-air talent often prefers to have large prompters so they can read them easily, and their size makes them more difficult to integrate. Prompters and talent monitors and the resulting counterweights often make up the majority of the payload weight, which requires larger, heavier robotic systems that are naturally more obtrusive, and often not as flexible. Finding systems that can provide both the desired dynamic movement while supporting a full prompter and talent monitor can be a challenge.

Hiding Rails and Cabling

For those who use rail-based camera systems in their broadcasts, the rails can either be mounted on the ceiling or floor, depending on the design requirements. With floor-based systems, many designers will want to hide the rails and cabling so that they’re not visible.

Ceiling-based rails are less of a problem than floor-based rails in this regard as the ceiling of a set is typically not shown during a broadcast. However, some producers are beginning to put set pieces on the ceiling so they can film it as well, and this will likely become more common in the future. Ceiling systems also pose other challenges: safety, stability and interference with lighting. These challenges can be addressed and must be considered during the design process.

For more information on safety and stability considerations for ceiling-mounted camera systems, you can read our whitepapers “” and ““.

Tracking for Virtual Reality

There are three types of virtual reality that can be used as part of a broadcast. The first type is “classic” virtual reality (VR) using green screens, which is becoming less popular. The second type is augmented reality (AR), which is used to insert virtual objects in front of subjects. The third type is extended reality (XR), which uses LED walls. Instead of using static or semi-static images, they’re driven by graphics engines and used to create virtual sets.

Incorporating virtual reality into a broadcast usually requires camera tracking in some form. This can be a problem from a design perspective, as most systems require sensors placed around the set. These sensors look like an array of dots, and they are not attractive pieces of design, which makes them difficult to integrate aesthetically.

For those who don’t want to use sensors in their sets, other solutions do exist. For example, some robots have mechanical tracking built-in, so there’s no need for these sensors to be used as part of the design. This allows for virtual and augmented reality tracking without the sensors.

Dispelling Misconceptions

Some set designers don’t want to use floor-based rail systems as they think they lose out on flexibility by doing so. They think that once they put the rail down, they won’t change it, so they’re fixed to a limited number of shots that they can do. However, with a well-designed set, this is not an issue. With a setup that has, for example, one or two floor-mounted systems and two free-roaming pedestals, broadcasters can create basically any shot they want. .

Another misconception is that rails are ugly when used in a set design. Some designers choose to just put the rails on the floor of their sets, which is not very attractive from a design standpoint. However, others choose to integrate the rails into the design so that they’re not as obtrusive. It’s absolutely possible to include floor-based rails in a set in an attractive way.

For an example of a well-designed set that incorporates rails, check out the VTM News set in Belgium:

Studio Robotic Solutions

There are several potential solutions for set designers looking to integrate robotic camera systems into their sets while still ensuring that they are attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

Floor-mounted camera systems use rails and robotic dolly systems. These rail systems allow broadcasters to create more dynamic broadcasts, while at the same time delivering more stable and repeatable shots.

Ceiling-mounted systems can provide greater flexibility and enhance audience experience by replacing pedestals, cranes and jibs, and freeing up space in the studio by moving the camera from the floor to the ceiling.

Free-roaming pedestals provide a high degree of flexibility, as they allow the camera to be positioned anywhere around the studio floor while providing remote control/programming of all camera axes.

With these three options, set designers can choose the set-up that works best for them. By combining different options, broadcasters can achieve a high degree of flexibility and creativity in their broadcasts.

Customization of Rail-Based Systems

Rail-based robotic studio cameras can offer the benefit of full customization. Designers can tailor their solutions for any use case, and they have the freedom to choose aspects like rail length, radius, color, and more. This customization allows them to meet all their technical requirements while still choosing equipment that is attractive from a design perspective.

Additionally, to fully maximize the set’s aesthetics, designers can choose to integrate any cables within the floor so that they’re fully hidden, and they can select robots that offer built-in mechanical tracking for virtual solutions, so they don’t need external sensors around the set.

Conclusion – Captivating Audiences

The concept of set design is currently more important than ever. Broadcasters must do everything they can to keep viewers’ attention, which is why attractive sets and impressive camera moves are so crucial. They are also tasked with adding more content while bringing down costs, which is why many are turning to robotic camera systems. While these systems do pose distinct challenges from a design perspective, these can be mitigated with careful planning, customization and integration. The benefits that studio robotics provide to broadcasters are unmatched – higher quality, better repeatability, and lower operating costs. There’s no better way to create stunning, dynamic shots that transform the broadcast and captivate audiences while still allowing for beautiful, well-designed sets.

About Ross Robotics

91ĚŇÉ« has the most complete studio robotics offering available, whether you are looking for the unparalleled smoothness of a track-based system, the unbeatable flexibility of a free-roaming pedestal, or the simple efficiency of a standalone pan & tilt head. All Ross robotic systems are designed, developed and manufactured in-house, using state-of-the-art technologies that provide industry-leading accuracy, precision, and payload capacity.

Have a project on the go? Whether you’re looking for help with a news, weather, or sports show set design, our team can provide expert guidance and solutions to make your project a success. Email us: solutions@rossvideo.com.

For more information on 91ĚŇɫ’s robotic camera systems, visit our website.

The post Robotic Camera Systems in Cutting-Edge Set Design appeared first on 91ĚŇÉ«.