Polecam operator Steve Rausch has completed his second season capturing ISOC National SnoCross Racing (SnoX). Nine events were organized by the International Series of Champions during winter 2009-2010, each race being streamed live on the internet and later edited into a one-hour show for transmission on the Versus cable TV network.
Polecam is a great system for covering these races especially with the conditions and terrain being extremely challenging," Steve details. "My gear consists of a five-section Polecam with a Camera Corps HD Mini Zoom, recording to Convergent Design Flash XDR. I sometimes fit a Hamas HR.5x wide angle adapter and Tiffen filters. All depends on the light and what's coming at me. We can position our rig on the starting line or on steep corners and even move it between heats for completely different views. Polecam's lightweight construction allows us to place it on slopes where pedestal set-ups are just not practical. The Polecam also enables us to get shots from angles that would otherwise be impossible. And it is far safer than the heavy steel of a traditional crane when you are operating near fast moving objects on ice or snow."
Steve Rausch's company, Focused Motion, specializes in HD and SD video production for broadcast and corporate arenas. See www.focusedmotion.com/polecam
Polecam Embraces 3D
Responding to rapidly increasing demand for 3D HD video content, Polecam announces that its 3D-Narrow pan and tilt head is to be supplied as standard with all new systems, with the option of choosing the new 3D-Wide head.
The 3D-Narrow pan and tilt head allows extremely realistic stereoscopic content to be produced from mini HD cameras positioned side by side on a Polecam jib. From NAB 2010 onward, the standard pan and tilt head sold with Polecam systems will be capable of holding a 3D camera pair. The Polecam 3D-Narrow head attaches directly to all standard Polecam rigs. It is optimised for normal studio shooting and close-ups where it is desirable to match normal human eye spacing. A levelling plate with three fine-adjustment verniers allows each camera to be exactly matched in height and forward angle. Setup is quick and easy, conforming with Polecam's strategy of ensuring high mobility and operational efficiency."
Polecam's optional 3D-Wide head allows the distance between cameras to be extended so that full 3D impact can be achieved even in long-shot.
The 3D-Narrow and 3D-Wide heads both retain the freedom to achieve sweeping 3D HD sequences that, for the viewer, almost amount to flying.
Peter Williams and a Polecam at 2010 Winter Olympics
Peter Williams was responsible for shooting with the Polecam, on the Olympic 2010 Winter Games, covering Short track and Figure skating events.
He was using his Polecam HD rig, with a Toshiba IK-HD1 camera, which was seamlessly cutting into the state of the art pedestal HD cameras in the arena.
In the figure skating, the shot of the coaches giving last words to the competitors , as well as catching the coaches expressions during the performance was easily captured by the Polecam, without disturbing the delicate tension of the event.
In the speed skating, with the elbow in place on the Polecam arm, Peter was able to place the camera over the protective barrier, inches from the ice, as the speed skater hurtled past.
In both events the Polecam greatly added to production values of the coverage.
Peter is currently based out of Vancouver, British Columbia.
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