Element Technica’s Neutron 3D Rig Tapped for Navy Inhouse Promo

“The director wanted to re-create this event with two cameras in 3D mode with a system that was lightweight, flexible and could do both tight and wide shots in real locations like a war room at a restricted Navy base,” says Smith. “We specked out the job with two SI-2K cameras, Fujinon lenses, and view/playback on CineDeck. The Neutron was simply the best set-up for the job.”

Smith was charged with shots that moved through corridors and around electronics of a small missile ship based out of San Diego as well as sequences within a real Navy war room. “We chose the Neutron because of its ability to act as a lightweight support device for these two HD cameras that we could fly on a Steadicam,” explains Smith. “Because 3D doesn’t like jittery handheld movements, the Neutron allowed us to move the camera in small spaces and still have it be effective in the 3D environment. Also, the Neutron has the ability to do swap over and change configuration from beamsplitter to two cameras side-by-side for long lens work. We wouldn’t have to use two separate devices.

“One of the things that I really like about the Neutron is the high-grade mirror they use,” Smith adds. “It doesn’t cause abnormalities in the image that you get with many lower grade units. The Neutron configuration is also extremely steady and rock-solid when in the 3D environment, and still extremely lightweight.

“We had to move quickly, had limited time in our restricted environment, and a lot of footage to capture. The Neutron performed extremely well, allowing us to capture the necessary material without reshoots or resets.”

The five-minute video premieres at the base in San Diego and will be screened at various bases around the country to exemplify the superior knowledge and technical expertise of the Navy’s support teams.