State-Of-The-Art Aerial Camera Produced In Queenstown

State-Of-The-Art Aerial Camera Produced In Queenstown Targets Major International Movie Projects

The Queenstown based company, Shotover Camera Systems, has designed and produced a state-of-the-art aerial next generation camera that will not only be operated on major movies in New Zealand, but will also be exported and used at different television and film locations around the world.

Shotover Camera Systems Managing Director John Coyle has an international reputation amongst helicopter and film and television production companies for producing quality gyro stabilised camera systems.

A qualified mechanical engineer, with 25 years in the industry, he was the founder of Cineflex LLC in the US, which designed and manufactured 5-axis stabilised camera systems for use in aerial filming.

Hundreds of these systems are operated around the world gathering aerial footage for shows such as The Planet Earth series, major sporting events and feature movies including Domino, The Island and most recently Unstoppable

“I sold that company in 2007 and moved from California to Queenstown looking for a lifestyle change for my family. My new venture here in Queenstown has focused on making a smaller, lighter and more high-tech camera system, than comparable systems, and has been two-and-a-half years in the making.”

The Shotover camera system is made from components mainly produced in New Zealand and can cost between $400,000 and $1m (NZD) depending on the choice of camera, lens and other system features. The 2D system is capable of integrating a variety of cameras and lenses for movie or television production and a 3D version is close to being launched.

“Our system provides the highest quality image production available and has been designed specifically for the movie industry for shooting aerial footage from moving platforms, primarily helicopters, with no limitation on manoeuvrability and camera pointing,” says Mr Coyle. “The use of ultra-light carbon fibre for the structure lightens the equipment, allowing the helicopter to carry a full load of passengers and fuel, when the system is attached. This is quite a significant breakthrough because all comparable systems are too large and heavy.”

The Shotover system has an ergonomic control panel, and a graphics overlayed monitor feed in the cockpit gives the operator precise control over the camera, independent of helicopter movement.

“Our system does not require a technician to be on hand like other systems and the equipment can be broken down into excess baggage size pieces. Earlier model aerial cameras have to be freighted to a location, which could take weeks, but the Shotover camera can travel with the operator to a job.”

Testing began in the Queenstown area in February this year, in conjunction with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters and aerial filming specialist pilot Alfie Speight, with immediate success.

“The camera worked very well on day one,” says Mr Coyle. “Queenstown is the hub of New Zealand aerial filming and we are fortunate to have such outstanding scenery in which to develop and test our gimbal systems.”

Alfie Speight says it was exciting to have the opportunity to test the new technology on the Glacier Southern Lakes machines. “The industry is lucky to have a company like Shotover Camera Systems based in New Zealand, let alone Queenstown, and it has been great to be involved with the project.”

Engineer Brad Hurndell is Shotover Camera Systems Product Manager and Vikas Sathaye is the lead Electrical and Software Engineer. The company also has access to other professional engineering consultants as well as Directors of Photography (DOP), producers and system operators.”

“The high-tech equipment is already being dubbed the Shotover camera by people in the industry,” says Mr Coyle. “The name, taken from the famous Shotover River, reflects the place it comes from and we believe Queenstown will continue to be internationally recognised as the home of exceptional, quality aerial camera production.”

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