SCENE 01 / SPECIALTY RIGS
Specialty Camera Rigs
Advanced rigging solutions for your Mexican production.
Here is how this works in practice. Specialty rigs are purpose-built car platforms designed for mounting cameras and capturing dynamic driving, chase, and motion sequences. From Russian arms and camera cars to process trailers and insert cars, these rigs enable complex moving shots that would be impossible with standard gear.
Here is the short of it. We source specialty camera rigs and cars from skilled local operators who know the safety and tech needs of car-mounted filming. Our team sets up rig availability, tech specs, and logistics to make sure 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
Knowing your vision and talking about the specific shots you need to achieve.
Rig Selection
Recommending the right specialty gear and rigging solutions for your shots.
Safety Planning
Full safety planning and risk assessment for specialty rig operation.
Execution Support
Skilled operators and technicians to make sure 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 shoots mostly combines local Mexican car 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.
Here is the breakdown. 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 giving 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-signed off framework.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. 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 shoots 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 car work. Our rigs accommodate many camera packages and give smooth, dynamic movement while shooting driving sequences.
Can you provide cable cam systems?
Yes, we give cable cam and wire cam systems for aerial coverage. These can span many distances and heights, giving smooth horizontal and vertical movement for sports, events, and film production.
What motion control options are available?
We give motion control systems including programmable heads and Bolt-style arms for precise, repeatable camera movements. These are key 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 needs. From POV cameras to crash housings, we create solutions for shots that standard gear can't achieve.
Do you provide operators?
Yes, specialty rigs need skilled operators for safe, effective use. We give skilled technicians who know both the gear and the safety needs for specialty rigging work.
What about safety and insurance?
Safety is paramount with specialty rigs. We conduct thorough risk assessments, give appropriate safety gear, and make sure all rigging work meets Mexican safety rules. Full insurance is ready.
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.