Cinematographer
Das Camera Car ist unsere mobile Basis für Verfolgungsaufnahmen. Mit U-Crane, Flight Head und Monitoring an Bord haben wir alles was wir brauchen.
Specially equipped vehicle serving as a mobile camera platform for filming action, chase, and dialogue sequences in or alongside moving vehicles.
Overview
In the film and television industry, a camera car is not a lighting fixture but a specially equipped vehicle that serves as a mobile camera platform. It is used to shoot scenes of moving objects – usually other vehicles or actors inside them – from a moving perspective. This allows for realistic and safe filming of car chases, driving scenes, and in-car dialogues without actors having to drive and speak lines simultaneously.
In practice, the term encompasses several types of vehicles with different purposes. The equipment falls under the responsibility of the Grip department (headed by the Key Grip), which builds the rigs, attaches cameras and lights to the vehicles, and is responsible for safe operation.
Types
| Type | Description / Use |
|---|---|
| Process Trailer (Insert Car / Low Loader) | A low-profile trailer pulled by a towing vehicle. The "Picture Car" (the vehicle visible in the shot) is secured onto it. Actors can drive without steering; cameras and lights are mounted around it. Preferred for in-car dialogue scenes. |
| Arm Car (Russian Arm / U-Crane) | A support vehicle with a gyro-stabilized, remote-controlled crane arm mounted on the roof. The camera head can move around the filmed vehicle, even at high speeds. Controlled via joystick from within the vehicle. |
| Pursuit / Tracking Vehicle | A vehicle that drives parallel to or behind the Picture Car, carrying camera rigs to provide "riding along" and pursuit shots from a moving perspective. |
Technical Specifications (Process Trailer Example)
Representative of a Process Trailer from an established manufacturer (Chapman/Leonard):
- Hydraulically extendable side wings ("Wings") that widen the deck – up to approx. 13' 6" (~4.1 m) extension, maximum deck width approx. 19' 6" (~5.9 m).
- Low deck height of approx. 6" (~15 cm) above the ground when unloaded, for a realistic ground-level perspective.
- Wooden deck for securing the Picture Car, with removable wing segments.
- Speed-rail system for mounting cameras and lighting.
- Hitch with a 2 5/16" ball coupler.
On-Set Usage
Before driving, the grip crew outfits the mounting points: Hood Mounts, Side Mounts, Suction Cup Mounts, and proprietary clamps securely attach cameras and lights to the Picture Car without damage. For a Process Trailer, the vehicle is secured onto the deck, the wings are extended as needed, and lights and reflectors are positioned using the speed-rail framework.
Safety is paramount: While the actors are protected, the drivers of the towing vehicle and the crew bear the actual driving risk. Therefore, camera car convoys are often flanked by escort or safety vehicles; depending on the country, filming permits and police escorts may be required.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Moderne Camera Cars wie der Mercedes ML63 AMG können 180 km/h fahren während wir stabil filmen. Das ermöglicht echte Hochgeschwindigkeits-Action.
Producer
Camera Cars sind spezialisierte Fahrzeuge mit entsprechenden Kosten. Aber für professionelle Actionszenen gibt es keine Alternative.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Kamerawagen"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?