SCENE 01 / MOTION CONTROL
Motion Control Services
Robotic precision cinematography for VFX, commercials, and complex productions.
Motion control systems use computer-programmed camera rigs to execute precise, repeatable camera movements. These systems are essential for visual effects compositing, multi-pass photography, automotive commercials, tabletop product shots, and any sequence where identical camera moves must be reproduced across multiple takes or elements. New York is North America's largest commercial production hub outside Los Angeles, with constant demand for motion control on broadcast, beauty, food, and luxury campaigns.
We source motion control rigs and experienced operators across New York, working with stage facilities at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (the largest US studio complex outside Hollywood), Silvercup Studios, Kaufman Astoria Studios, and Broadway Stages. Our team coordinates equipment delivery, stage time, and technical support so your motion control sequences are captured efficiently and with exacting repeatability.
Capabilities
Complete Motion Control Services
From high-speed robotic arms to precision tabletop rigs, our motion control services deliver programmable, repeatable camera movements for any production.
01
Robotic Systems
- MILO motion control
- Bolt high-speed arm
- Modula rigs
- Multi-axis systems
- Custom builds
Precision Rigs
02
Repeatable Moves
- Frame-accurate repeats
- Multi-pass compositing
- Element photography
- VFX plate matching
- Time-slice capture
Perfect Repeats
03
Tabletop & Product
- Product photography
- Food cinematography
- Macro motion control
- Liquid pours
- Small-scale precision
Detail Work
04
High-Speed
- Bolt arm systems
- High-speed camera sync
- Fast programmed moves
- Live action tracking
- Speed ramping
Ultra Fast
On Location
Robotic precision for Madison Avenue and Brooklyn tabletop
Motion control rigs answer a exact and demanding need across New York production: identical, frame-accurate camera moves repeated across multiple passes for VFX compositing, multi-element photography, automotive insert work and the high-end product camera work that defines the Madison Avenue advertising market.
Our lined up inventory includes Mark Roberts Milo systems for large-scale moves on full-size cars and talent at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Bolt and the new Bolt X high-speed robotic arms from AbelCine in Long Island City and Stockwell on the Manhattan side, favoured by NYC commercial directors working New York Auto Show launches, Madison Avenue luxury campaigns and Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac and Ford brand work, alongside Modula multi-axis platforms and smaller tabletop rigs for beauty, jewellery, food and beverage camera work commissioned by L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, Tiffany & Co., Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Häagen-Dazs out of Brooklyn tabletop studios.
We work out of Steiner's thirty stages across fifty acres, Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, Kaufman Astoria in Queens and Broadway Stages across Brooklyn — so productions can pair motion control with LED-wall volumes, drive-in tanks or fully lit insert sets within a single facility complex.
Pre-visualisation sits at the heart of the process. Our crew programmes camera paths in software, times them against animatics and signs them off before stage time is consumed. This lets DPs, creative directors and clients refine moves before talent or product arrives at Steiner, Silvercup or the Brooklyn tabletop studios.
On the day, frame-accurate repeats deliver every pass a VFX team needs: hero takes, clean plates, lighting passes, multi-pass element photography and matched moves, with motion data, camera tracking metadata and lens metadata exported alongside the footage to OpenEXR or ProRes deliverables. Our team integrates directly with NYC's Emmy- and Oscar-winning VFX and finishing houses — Picture Shop, PostWorks NY, Harbor, The Post Crew, Nice Shoes and String & Can — and aligns schedules with the thirty-per-cent New York State Film Tax Credit plus the ten-per-cent NYC uplift that productions claim through the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.
Ops carry credits across NYC fashion week tabletop work, Madison Avenue beauty and beverage campaigns and the high-end automotive insert work commissioned out of Manhattan agencies, with full IATSE Local 600 cinematographer, Local 52 grip and electric and Local 829 art department coverage in place.
FAQ
Robotic Camera Expertise
What is motion control filming?
Motion control uses computer-programmed robotic camera systems that can execute precise, repeatable camera movements. This allows identical moves to be repeated for multiple passes, essential for VFX compositing, and enables moves too fast or precise for human operation.
When should I use motion control in New York?
Motion control is ideal for VFX-heavy productions taking advantage of New York State's 30% film tax credit, beauty and beverage commercials shooting at Steiner or Silvercup, broadcast spots, and any sequence requiring frame-accurate repeatability across multiple passes.
What systems do you provide in New York?
We work with major motion control systems available across New York, including MILO for large-scale moves, Bolt high-speed robotic arms favored by NYC commercial directors, Modula rigs, and smaller tabletop systems for beauty and food cinematography.
Can motion control work with high-speed cameras?
Yes, motion control systems like Bolt are specifically designed for high-speed work, coordinating fast programmed moves with high-frame-rate cameras. This creates dramatic speed-ramped shots common in NYC beauty, beverage, and luxury commercials.
How do you handle multi-pass shooting?
We program moves that can be repeated identically for each pass—talent pass, clean plate, lighting elements, etc. The precision of motion control ensures all elements align perfectly in compositing, supported by NYC's Emmy-winning post houses.
What about smaller tabletop work?
We provide smaller motion control rigs for tabletop, product, and food photography. These systems offer the same repeatability and precision at a scale suited to NYC beauty, food, beverage, and luxury brands.
Related Services
Productions in New York that need this often pair it with Virtual Production, Stop Motion Production, and Green Screen Filming for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Time-lapse & Hyperlapse.
On Set
Need Motion Control Services?
Tell us about your precision camera requirements and we'll provide the right robotic solution.