If by chance you look into the sky and see a helicopter with a camera suspended far below at the end of a cable, you won’t have to strain your eyes to find out who the filmmaker is on the shoot. The likelihood is that it’s director/cinematographer Klaus Obermeyer of Santa Monica-based Aero Film going after a complicated aerial shot with his “Klauscam.”
Klauscam is essentially a gyro-stabilized camera system suspended from a helicopter that affords 360-degree pan, tilt and roll, and uses any lenses on a variety of today’s available cameras. As the camera is detached from the helicopter, it is therefore free to go where it would not otherwise be safe, practical or possible. Obermeyer says the cable lengths can vary; he has thus far used one as long as 300 ft. The cinematographer operates the camera via a remote control system from the safety of the helicopter, and the camera is free to perform difficult and dangerous shots.
The development also allows Aero Film–which specializes in aerial, underwater, and other extreme shooting and is based at the Santa Monica Airport–to bring a new look to its shooting. The Klauscam is available for any Aero Film shoot and any of the production company’s directors.
Obermeyer relates that the camera was conceived and built by Scott Howell, who is owner of bicoastal CineMoves, a company committed to enhancing storytelling through camera movement. Howell is Obermeyer’s key grip on commercial shoots. Obermeyer relates that it was developed “out of necessity,” when the two were in Greenland shooting ice formations and needed to find a safe way to get the camera close to its subject. Since that first job, Howell has been refining and improving development with input from Obermeyer.
“The camera comes from the desire to revolutionize,” the director/cinematographer relates. “This truly gives the cinematographer and director another tool to use to bring about a vision that has not been possible before in this way.”
He is already looking for new applications. Most recently, Klauscam was used on “Basejump,” a Suzuki commercial via Colby & Partners, Santa Monica, directed and lensed by Obermeyer. In the spot, a man leaves his home for work in a most unusual way. He walks outside, says goodbye to his wife–and immediately jumps off a cliff to his Suzuki, which is waiting at the bottom. The Klauscam was used to photograph the stuntman’s jump, as well as some of the shots of the man driving the vehicle through rough terrain at the end of the currently airing :30.
Aero Film executive producer Lance O’Connor complements Obermeyer in being proactive about developments that will improve the work and offer unique looks. He adds that this is a goal at Aero. “If you have a problem, we’ll solve it; we’ll rig it; we’ll build it,” O’Connor concludes.
