Article Overview

ACS plays part in The Royal Wedding

Hard working and successful week for all those at ACS none more so than for our team of technicians and operators

ACS provided over twenty SMARThead™ remote head systems and camera channels supplying coverage for the BBC, Sky News and ITN, not forgetting the world’s media. An HD Cineflex V14 Stabilised Mount was also supplied and operated by ACS providing aerial coverage of the crowds and balcony scenes at Buckingham Palace. But it was perhaps within Westminster Abbey itself that our crew met their biggest challenge fulfilling the majority of the camera positions that were to broadcast the ceremony world-wide.

ACS Technical Director, Sam Heaphy, and his team delivered and installed 16 of the 23 camera positions within the Abbey for the BBC. Utilising 12 Sony P1 Camera channels and 4 Ikegami HDL 51 cameras, two of the remote heads included a 40x lens; a first for ACS’ new development with this particular lens and SMARThead™.

Several spectacular shots were achieved including a dramatic high shot over the Sacrarium for the first time in HD and with the shot developing to show the incredible scale of the internal architecture of Westminster Abbey. Two cameras were also discretely positioned in very sensitive areas to the side of the high altar in order to show the couple from the front during the very intimate and important parts of the wedding service. Shots of the Abbey’s bells peeling at the conclusion of the ceremony were also a first.

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Several spectacular shots were achieved including a dramatic high shot over the Sacrarium for the first time in HD and with the shot developing to show the incredible scale of the internal architecture of Westminster Abbey. Two cameras were also discretely positioned in very sensitive areas to the side of the high altar in order to show the couple from the front during the very intimate and important parts of the wedding service. Shots of the Abbey’s bells peeling at the conclusion of the ceremony were also a first.

ACS SMARTheads™ could also be found positioned along the wedding procession route at Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horseguards and The Mall contributing to the full coverage of the couple’s journey to and from the service.

SMARThead™ had been chosen by BBC Events for the Abbey because of its small size whilst offering 2/3 in full HD quality and single cable operation, an important consideration when working in such a venue. The quality of control allowing full use of the lenses zoom range from Canon HJ40 to HJ14 with total subtlety of movement were vital to this type of production. This technology is coupled to many years of continually developing the client relationship and the results have clearly won universal appreciation.

ACS Managing Director, Phillip Beckett, commented, “The team here feel an enormous sense of pride at being involved in such an historical event. Everyone has worked really hard in the planning and delivery which began at the end of last year. We’re honoured to be able to say, ACS were there.”

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About Aerial Camera Systems

Established over thirty years ago, Aerial Camera System (ACS) is the worlds’ leading specialist camera company, providing innovative and expert camera solutions and aerial stabilised camera systems. ACS has a unique inventory available for rental ranging from remote heads and compact cameras, railcams and wirecams to tracking vehicles, underwater systems and tethered airships as well as over 20 helicopter camera systems. With an in-house research and development team the company continues to develop and launch new concepts and products within the field of specialist camera facilities, the latest being its new remote head; SMARThead™. ACS is part of the Euro Media Group, Europe’s largest provider of television and film facilities in Europe.