Movicom Opens U.S. Office

Moscow-based supplier of robotic and mechatronic cameras targets film and TV production

Movicom, the Moscow-based developer and manufacturer of robotic and mechatronic specialty equipment for live, studio, and outside broadcasting, has opened a branch office in Los Angeles. The company has an extensive portfolio of innovative camera systems and an impressive roster of global events under its production belt, and it aims to bring all this experience and all of its gear to a wide range of production in the U.S.

Greg Salman will head up the U.S. office of Movicom.

The company’s headline product, the Robycam modular cable camera system with integrated positional tracking, is already busy on the first season of the International Swimming League in the U.S. and Europe.

The company says ease of use has made it the go-to cable camera system for many producers looking to go beyond flat on-screen graphics. The Robycam system integrates the RC Compass tracking system, which uses the broadly accepted FreeD (UDP or Serial) tracking protocol and combines seamlessly with Vizrt, ZeroDensity, Brainstorm, and many other AR systems. On-the-fly tracking data allows the camera to move through generated visual elements as if they were physical objects in any live scene. The tracking data includes lens information and control, which makes the system ideal for set-extension, virtual-studio, and previsualization (previz) applications.

Movicom President/CEO Victor Pakhomov will retain the same title for the U.S. operation, and Greg Salman has been brought on to run day-to-day operations and client relations in the branch office. Salman has a balanced experience in specialty camera systems like Polecams and 3D systems as well as a long track record in film and stage production.

“I think the Robycam Compact system is an excellent tool that is at the leading edge of every kind of production,” says Salman. “Live tracking data that integrates virtual elements with real actors, or on-air hosts, and allows for set-extension or even virtual sets is where the industry is going, and I hope that we at Movicom can help lead the way.”

The company has one Robycam Compact cable camera system now based in the U.S., and the system’s size allows it to be deployed in smaller venues and standard sound stages. The company says faster setup and turnaround times open up tremendous possibilities for tracked and repeatable 360-degree moves in 3D space for virtual sets and graphics for theatrical film, live events like concerts and awards shows, and even long-form drama. The system’s extremely low latency, just a couple of frames, is why it’s used extensively for live events and sports.

“Movicom has built a reputation as a global brand, with several locations in Europe and Asia,” says Pakhomov. “We felt it was time to bring our resources to the North American market. Our innovative technology allows producers to think outside the box, and challenges their imagination. Which is where we want to be.”

For more information: www.movicom.tv; email: [email protected]