Arm car rental
An arm car is a camera car carrying a crane arm. Adding any manned or unmanned camera boom, crane or arm to a camera car puts it under the camera boom vehicle rules in Addendum B, on top of the camera car rules. Moving Shot lists 12 vendors across 7 states.
What is a arm car?
- An arm car is a camera car carrying a crane arm. Adding any manned or unmanned camera boom, crane or arm to a camera car puts it under the camera boom vehicle rules in Addendum B, on top of the camera car rules. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars (rev. 07/19/06)
When it is used
- FilmLA lists large-scale driving cameras like the Russian arm among activities that need assigned safety personnel. Source: FilmLA, Grid Locations
Typical crew
- A qualified, experienced driver/operator checks the vehicle and arm before and after use and must be present whenever they are used. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum B, Camera Boom Vehicles (rev. 08/28/12)
- Camera people mount and dismount only with permission from the arm operator. Anyone riding the arm wears an approved seat belt. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum B, Camera Boom Vehicles (rev. 08/28/12)
Typical package
Gear the listed vendors publish on their own sites. Check each vendor for current inventory.
Arm cars · Cinebike · Cable cam · FPV drones · Heavy lifter drones · MoVI · Motocrane Radical · Porsche Cayenne S · Ronin 2 · INS2
Safety notes
- Never exceed the manufacturer's safe operating speed or a speed that endangers handling of the vehicle or the arm. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum B, Camera Boom Vehicles (rev. 08/28/12)
- Rehearse under controlled conditions. Keep the arm balanced. Nose payload must never exceed what the supplied counterweight can balance, and drops as extensions get longer. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum B, Camera Boom Vehicles (rev. 08/28/12)
- Chock wheels on slopes. Do not trust hydraulic brakes for a permanent hold. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum B, Camera Boom Vehicles (rev. 08/28/12)
- Inspect the camera car before and after use, or at least daily: brakes, tires, steering, engine, drive train, electrical, towing gear and safety equipment. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars (rev. 07/19/06)
- Rigging and rigging changes are done by qualified people in a secured area away from traffic, discussed with the driver, and checked by the driver afterward. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars (rev. 07/19/06)
Permits and police
- In the City of Los Angeles a filming permit is required for commercial on-location filming, with at least three full business days of processing. Source: FilmLA, Area Requirements: City of Los Angeles
- City of LA: Russian Arm needs at least 2 LAPD motorcycle officers plus LAPD review of location, time of day and traffic volume. Source: FilmLA, LAPD Motion Picture Officer Hire Assignments
Arm cars vendors
Filmotechnic LA
Los Angeles, CA
U-Crane arm cars and Flight Head remote systems. USA sales and support for Filmotechnic.
- Camera cars
- Remote heads
- Gyro-stabilized
Camera Car Systems
Los Angeles, CA
Filmotechnic U-Cranes (formerly Russian Arm), Flight Heads, and Technoscopes. Site also lists Motocrane, Edge Arm, and Ultimate Arm.
- Camera cars
- Motocrane
- Technocrane
- Remote heads
CineMoves
Los Angeles, CA
Telescopic cranes, arm cars (Porsche Cayenne and TRX), and Matrix / Oculus remote heads.
- Camera cars
- Technocrane
- Remote heads
Chase Car Inc.
Valencia, CA
Insert car, Porsche Cayenne Gemini Crane, process trailer, tow dolly, and Black Unicorn remote system.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
- Remote heads
Metro Camera Cars
New York, NY
Arm car, Technoscope F17, chase truck, tow rig, Flight Head, and Libra options.
- Camera cars
- Technocrane
- Remote heads
- Process trailers
Midwest Camera Car
Chicago, IL
Telescopic U-Crane 6, F27 Technoscope, process trailers, and tow dollies.
- Camera cars
- Technocrane
- Process trailers
- Remote heads
Southwest Camera Car
Phoenix, AZ
Porsche Cayenne Turbo with Motocrane Ultra and MoVI XL. Site says they will travel.
- Camera cars
- Motocrane
- Remote heads
- Gyro-stabilized
Nashville Camera Car
Nashville, TN
Arm car on a Porsche Cayenne and Viking SxS. Site names Motocrane and MoVI XL.
- Camera cars
- Motocrane
- Remote heads
- Gyro-stabilized
Driver's Eye
Los Angeles, CA
Arm car with Motocrane Hyper on a Porsche Cayenne and Flighthead Mini 4.
- Camera cars
- Motocrane
- Remote heads
Covert Camera Vehicles
North Hollywood, CA
Tracking vehicles including a TRX with Filmotechnic U-Crane 6 and Flight Head 6s.
- Camera cars
- Remote heads
- Gyro-stabilized
VidMuze Cinema
Asheville, NC
Camera movement shop with arm cars, a cinebike, cable cams, drones, and MoVI operators. In business since 2012.
- Camera cars
- Gyro-stabilized
Method Media Arm Car
Kansas City, MO
Porsche Cayenne S arm car built on the Motocrane Radical system with a Ronin 2 remote head and INS2 gyro stabilization.
- Camera cars
- Motocrane
- Remote heads
MotoCrane field guides
Related rig types
Questions
Questions
- Where can I rent a arm car?
- Moving Shot lists 12 vendors that publish arm cars on their own sites, based in Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee.
- What rules cover an arm car?
- All of CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 for camera cars plus Addendum B for camera boom vehicles.
- Do you need police for an arm car shot in Los Angeles?
- FilmLA lists a minimum of 2 LAPD motorcycle officers for Russian Arm work in the City of Los Angeles, subject to LAPD review.