Adapting Motion Control to Unique Spaces

At Maxicrane, we understand that no two productions or installations are alike. Every project comes with its own set of challenges — from camera height restrictions to lens gear requirements and structural limitations within the space. That’s why we specialize in creating customized motion control systems designed to meet each client’s unique needs.

A recent project with BNY Productions for Black Rock Church in Fairfield, CT highlights exactly how we approach these challenges.

The Challenge

BNY Productions reached out with a project that required a permanent installation of a 20-foot motorized dolly system on C-stands inside the church auditorium. The setup needed to:

• Support a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera paired with a Canon 18-80mm Cine Servo Lens

• Provide full PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) control with precise focus and zoom gear integration

• Operate at a specific camera height of around 6.5 feet from the floor to lens

• Fit within a budget-conscious framework without sacrificing reliability

BNY’s Director of Technical Operations, Tim Jackson, reached out to us about using the Scarab Motorized Dolly paired with our Digital Movie Head. However, there was one key challenge:

The original head and dolly system provided a lens height of about 19 inches above track level, but the client needed a maximum of 14 inches.

The Custom Solution

Our engineering team worked closely with Tim and his team at BNY to design a shortened version of the Digital Movie Head while maintaining full motorized functionality. This required reworking the dolly and head assembly so that the entire system could achieve the requested 14-inch maximum height.

We also integrated Tilta motors with the correct gear sizes to match the Canon Cine Servo lens:

• Focus Ring Gear: 0.8 MOD / 32-pitch

• Zoom Ring Gear: 0.5 MOD / 20-pitch

This ensured smooth, precise lens control directly from the Scarab system.

The Result

After fabrication, testing, and careful integration, the custom Scarab Dolly system was delivered to BNY Productions and successfully installed at Black Rock Church. The system:

• Achieved the exact camera height requirement

• Provided reliable motorized dolly movement over the 20-foot track

• Delivered precise focus and zoom control for the Canon Cine Servo lens

• Fit the client’s technical and budget requirements

The final testimony from the BNY team was clear — the system worked perfectly, and the client was very happy with the result.

Why Custom Matters

This project is a great example of why flexibility and customization are at the core of Maxicrane’s mission. Whether for broadcast, live events, or permanent installations, every environment is different. Instead of forcing clients into a one-size-fits-all system, we design solutions that:

• Adapt to unique height, weight, or lens requirements

• Integrate seamlessly with existing workflows

• Balance performance and budget without compromise