SCENE 01 / SPECIALTY RIGS
Specialty Camera Rigs
Advanced rigging solutions for your Mexican production.
Specialty rigs are purpose-built vehicle platforms designed for mounting cameras and capturing dynamic driving, chase, and motion sequences. From Russian arms and camera cars to process trailers and insert vehicles, these rigs enable complex moving shots that would be impossible with standard equipment.
We source specialty camera rigs and vehicles from experienced local operators who understand the safety and technical requirements of vehicle-mounted filming. Our team coordinates rig availability, technical specifications, and logistics to ensure your unit can capture dynamic vehicular sequences safely and efficiently.
Capabilities
Specialty Equipment
Vehicle rigs, cable systems, motion control, and custom solutions.
Advanced Rigging Solutions
Capabilities
Our Process
Shot Consultation
Understanding your vision and discussing the specific shots you need to achieve.
Rig Selection
Recommending the right specialty equipment and rigging solutions for your shots.
Safety Planning
Comprehensive safety planning and risk assessment for specialty rig operation.
Execution Support
Experienced operators and technicians to ensure safe, successful execution.
On Location
Russian Arm, Ultimate Arm and motion-control rigs flowing cross-border from LA to Mexican shoots
Here is how this works in practice. Top specialty rigging on Mexican productions typically combines local Mexican vehicle conversions (Cine Equipos, Lemon Studios grip-truck modifications) with cross-border Russian Arm Filmworks (Filmotechnic USA) Flight Head V Russian Arm 5 and Ultimate Arm pursuit-arm rigs flowing in from LA via Tijuana 12-minute commercial border crossing under ATA carnet processed through SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) / Aduanas. Standard chase-car sites run Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade with Filmotechnic Cyclone Plus 5-axis stabilised heads; insert-car rigs use modified Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickup beds with bolt-down camera-mounts.
On the ground, Quantum of Solace's CDMX-Yucatán chase work, Spectre's Day of the Dead Zócalo opening, Sicario's Sonora border crossings, Narcos: Mexico's parallel CDMX-Guadalajara unit driving sequences, and The Counselor's Juárez border work all combined Mexican local grip-truck conversions with cross-border LA arm-rig pulls. Cable cam and wire cam systems (CableCam, Spidercam) ship from LA via Tijuana same-day delivery for stadium, arena, and large-exterior wide coverage. Motion-control programmable Bolt and Milo arms cross-rent from Mark Roberts Motion Control LA for VFX product, agency commercial, and tricky choreographed sequence work.
Here is the short of it. Aerial specialty rigging clears through DGAC / AFAC (Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil) aerial-flight authorisation. With helicopter operators Helicópteros Servicios Especiales, Sky Helicopters Mexico, Aerodynamics Helicopters, and Aeroservicios providing Astar B2/B3, Bell 407, and Bell 412 sites cleared for Shotover F1 + Cineflex V14HD gyro-stabilised head mounts. CDMX altitude (2,240m) reduces rotor-load capacity by ~3% versus sea-level operation, factored into production-design action choreography. Spectre's helicopter aerial coverage over the CDMX Zócalo Day of the Dead opening and Quantum of Solace's Yucatán helicopter pursuit both ran through this DGAC-authorised framework.
On the ground, Drone permits flow through AFAC for sub-25kg multi-rotors (DJI Inspire 3, Freefly Alta X with Movi Pro gimbal heads). INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) compliance at Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Palenque, and Monte Albán prohibits drone overflight below 50m AGL — set up permission needed well in advance of any heritage-site aerial coverage. Underwater housing rigs for productions echoing Fox Baja Studios deep-ocean tank work (Titanic 1997, Master and Commander 2003, Pearl Harbor 2001) ship from LA cross-border under ATA carnet alongside the Cinema Insurance Mexico production bond.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicle rigs do you provide?
We supply Russian arms, pursuit arms, and complete chase car setups for vehicle work. Our rigs accommodate various camera packages and provide smooth, dynamic movement while shooting driving sequences.
Can you provide cable cam systems?
Yes, we offer cable cam and wire cam systems for aerial coverage. These can span various distances and heights, providing smooth horizontal and vertical movement for sports, events, and film production.
What motion control options are available?
We provide motion control systems including programmable heads and Bolt-style arms for precise, repeatable camera movements. These are essential for VFX work, product shots, and complex choreographed sequences.
Do you build custom rigs?
Yes, our grip and rigging team can design and build custom mounting solutions for unique shot requirements. From POV cameras to crash housings, we create solutions for shots that standard equipment can't achieve.
Do you provide operators?
Yes, specialty rigs require experienced operators for safe, effective use. We provide skilled technicians who understand both the equipment and the safety requirements for specialty rigging work.
What about safety and insurance?
Safety is paramount with specialty rigs. We conduct thorough risk assessments, provide appropriate safety equipment, and ensure all rigging work meets Mexican safety regulations. Comprehensive insurance is available.
Related Services
Productions in Mexico that need this often pair it with Production Vehicles for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Grip Equipment and Power Distribution Systems.
On Set
Need Specialty Rigs?
Tell us about your shot requirements and we'll find the right solution.