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 run precise, repeatable camera moves. They are key for visual effects compositing, multi-pass photography, automotive commercials, and tabletop product shots. They suit any sequence where the same camera move must be repeated across many takes or elements. New York is North America's largest commercial hub outside Los Angeles, with steady demand for motion control on broadcast, beauty, food, and luxury campaigns.
We source motion control rigs and skilled operators across New York. Our team works with stage sites at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the largest US studio complex outside Hollywood, plus Silvercup Studios, Kaufman Astoria Studios, and Broadway Stages. We set up gear delivery, stage time, and tech support so your motion control sequences are captured fast and with exact repeats.
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 meet an exact and demanding need across New York production. They repeat the same frame-accurate camera move across many passes for VFX compositing, multi-element photography, and automotive insert work. They also drive the high-end product camera work that defines the Madison Avenue advertising market.
Our line-up holds Mark Roberts Milo systems for large-scale moves on full-size cars and talent at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. We also carry Bolt and the new Bolt X high-speed robotic arms from AbelCine in Long Island City and Stockwell on the Manhattan side. NYC commercial directors favour them for New York Auto Show launches, Madison Avenue luxury campaigns, and Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, and Ford brand work. Alongside these run Modula multi-axis platforms and smaller tabletop rigs for beauty, jewellery, food, and beverage camera work. Brands like L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, Tiffany & Co., Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Häagen-Dazs commission this work 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 shoots 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 spent. 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 each pass a VFX team needs. These cover hero takes, clean plates, lighting passes, multi-pass element photography, and matched moves. We export motion data, camera tracking metadata, and lens metadata alongside the footage to OpenEXR or ProRes deliverables. Our team integrates directly with NYC's Emmy- and Oscar-winning VFX and finishing houses, including Picture Shop, PostWorks NY, Harbor, The Post Crew, Nice Shoes, and String & Can. We also align schedules with the thirty-per-cent New York State Film Tax Credit plus the ten-per-cent NYC uplift that shoots claim through the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.
Our operators 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. We staff every shoot with full IATSE Local 600 cinematographer, Local 52 grip and electric, and Local 829 art department coverage.
FAQ
Robotic Camera Expertise
What is motion control filming?
Motion control uses computer-programmed robotic camera systems that run precise, repeatable camera moves. The same move can be repeated for many passes, which is key for VFX compositing. It also makes moves too fast or too exact for a human to perform by hand.
When should I use motion control in New York?
Motion control suits VFX-heavy shoots that claim New York State's 30% film tax credit. It also fits beauty and beverage commercials at Steiner or Silvercup, broadcast spots, and any sequence that needs frame-accurate repeats across many passes.
What systems do you provide in New York?
We work with all major motion control systems across New York. These include MILO for large-scale moves and Bolt high-speed robotic arms favored by NYC commercial directors. We also run Modula rigs and smaller tabletop systems for beauty and food camera work.
Can motion control work with high-speed cameras?
Yes. Systems like Bolt are built for high-speed work, pairing fast programmed moves with high-frame-rate cameras. This creates the dramatic speed-ramped shots so common in NYC beauty, beverage, and luxury commercials.
How do you handle multi-pass shooting?
We program moves that repeat the same way for each pass, such as the talent pass, clean plate, and lighting elements. The precision of motion control makes sure all elements line up perfectly in compositing, backed 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 give the same repeats 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.