The project is based on creating several independent and synchronized systems to control infinite cinematic possibilities of an analog camera. In this project a 16mm Bolex. Each of the options can be used independently of the others or in sync with all or some of them.

Basic goals ideas:

• Open source.
• Basic materials
• Transportable
• Modular. Función options in sync but Interchangeable and independent. Función options manual and by programming.

The camera device will be designed and built with 3d printer, laser cutting materials and open source technologies by Crater-Lab + Mono no Aware + KLUBVIZIJA Lab members.

MOTOR

• Interchangeable - variable speed: 1fps ›› 128 fps
• ‹‹ Back
• ›› Forward
• Independently and/or in sync with:
• Shutter Control
• Lens controls
• 360º Device

INTERVALOMETER

• interchangeable - step by step 1 frame to 3 frames
• 1 f/seg to ∞
• Back ›› Forward ‹‹
• Basic control or sequences programming
• Independently and/or in sync with:
• Shutter Control
• Lens controls
• 360º Device

SHUTTER CONTROL

• Milimetric shutter control with linear motor
  • Control basic (Open- Close)
  • Sync with INTVAL
  • Sync with Motor

LENS CONTROL

• EXPOSURE
  • Lineal motor with
• ZOOM
  • Lineal motor with
• FOCUS
  • Follow focus

axis:

• pan (360°, continuous)
• tilt (-30°- 210°)
• roll (360°, continuous)

rotating mechanism

• 3x industrial rotating stages
• stages run by NEMA 17 stepper motors

materials used:

• milled 8mm aluminum - mechanical elements
• plywood / sheet metal - base / enclosure

electronics:

• motor control - arduino microcontroller
• motor drivers - SilentStepStick TMC2130
• powered by 36V DC power supply
• connections between stages - slip rings

MOTORS

• variable speed control
• Intervalometer motor
• Linear motor:
• 360 devices motors

CAMERA DEVICE CONTROL

• CONTROL BOX with digital screen(?).
  • Camera
  • 360º system
  • Camera + 360º system
• WEB APP.
• MANUAL.
• Joystick?
• Possibility to control it by SENSORS (light, sound, movement…)
• Sync with other cámera.

CAMERA DEVICE POWER

• 24V BATTERY
• Solar battery?
• Others….

Some Example:

1. Variable speed with zoom in-out.
   1. Tools:
      1. Variable speed motor
      2. Zoom device
2. Variable Speed - Zoom in-Out activated by sound sensors
   1. Tools:
      1. Variable speed motor
      2. Zoom device
      3. Sound sensors
3. Interval time 1f/sec + Shutter open/close each 240 frames (time of open to close 48frames) Start manual- End manual
   1. - -
4. Interval time 1f/sec + Shutter open/close each 240 frames (time of open to close 48frames) in sync with 360º panorama (horizontal ›› Dir right ›› 180º / 30 min) device ›› Start manual - End at 30 min /180º -
   1. Tools:
      1. Intval motor
      2. shutter linear motor
      3. Panorama /horizontal system
      4. Programing control
5. - Interval time 1f ›› 600seg (10min) + zoom in/out 1 step/1 frame + Shutter open/close each 240 frames (time of open to close 48frames) in sync with 360º rotating aleatory ( 1 hour /360º) Start manual - End 12h or 2400 frames. Rewind camera to frame “0” ( shutter close during this action)
   1. Tools:
      1. Intval motor
      2. Zoom device
      3. shutter linear motor
      4. 360º system
      5. Programing control

Michael Snow La región Centrale
http://angelsbarcelona.com/en/artists/michael-snow/projects/la-region-centrale/257

Esther Urlus Grande Finale
https://estherurlus.hotglue.me/360

Alexander Larose Artifices
https://alexandrelarose.com/Artifices

Hrvoje Spudic Rotoprojector
https://hrvojespudic.net/rotoprojector

Luis Macias Infinite Sundown
https://lightcone.org/en/news-758-the-infinite-sundown-sun-ii-earth-de-luis-macias

DEVICES and project references by members working in the project

Matt Mc William / INTVAL
https://sixteenmillimeter.com/

Hrvoje Spudic / Rotoprojector 4
https://hrvojespudic.net/rotoprojector-4

UPDATE JUNE 2024

As of June 2024, many changes happened to the project. After presenting development in the International Lab Meeting in Toronto 2023, we decided to finish collaboration with Mono No Aware + KLUBVIZIJA Lab members, due to difficulties in next stages of the process and distance and followed the development with Hangar.org programming and engineering department. Crater-Lab has previously collaborated with the Arts Center which is also where the lab has been based for the last four years. After troubleshooting current design as of beginnings of 2023, big shift entered the project regarding the mechanism and decided to keep former work on the intervalometer as well as camera functioning and totally redesign the panoramic and axial system.

As seen with Hangar.org team, best solution possible would be to find a currently built structure open to custom changes and able to be hacked in order to work on programming and sequencing it for all functionabilities programmed on the initial project.

The articulated arm is being now controlled via Arduino and can be adapted to any kind of tripod suitable for a Bolex camera. The Device is currently under programming and development but also fully operational in its prototyping phase. Regarding camera controls, intervalometer works on any Bolex model from Rex4 on and it allows the user to work on any type of sequencing for step by step filming. The lens can also be controlled. The device is configured specifically for Angenieux L2 17-68mm lenses. Although we have tried many different lenses, that is the type that suits perfectly the rings to the controller, allowing the absolute control of all lens variations, that is aperure, focal distance and focusing in total synch with rotation and step shooting.

We are currently in a troubleshooting phase planning the next feedback loop programmed for ALUD Festival in Barcelona next October. We might not be able to show shot material, but plan to present the prototype functioning although it might no be totally ready in terms of hardware.

CONCLUSIONS

- In the end predesigned motor ended being a simpler and more economical option, then putting all efforts on designing adapters, programming and also research on suitable lenses, improvements on intervalometer hardware, etc.

SPECTRAL is co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.