Innovision Optics, known for unique imaging tools including camera tracking systems, announces the introduction of the new Wally 2 Axes mobile camera support system by Movie Engineering. Wally 2 Axes is a wall-mounted track system that allows camera operators to capture unprecedented views of television productions, major national and international news feeds, or live performance without impeding or restricting the visuals by shooting from the floor.
The concept for Wally 2 Axes was conceived to assist a client who needed to mount a tracking system along the balcony wall of a theater without disturbing the sight line for the audience on the second floor. Their additional requirement was not to see a traveling camera or loops of cable running during the performance.

With Innovision’s input, Movie Engineering in Milan, Italy, designed a motor control and camera platform that would run on a dual track mounted horizontally that would hug a wall, without disturbing the sight lines of the audience. Instead of cables on trolleys hanging on loops behind the Wally, the cable is hidden in a cable channel tray, eliminating from sight any cables following Wally back and forth as it travels along the track. The Wally 2 Axes allows a box camera and standard broadcast lens combination of up to 12 pounds like the Sony, Panasonic or Ikegami, to move along a path the shape of the wall, including around a bend of three meters or more.

The operator can sit at a monitor located as far as half a mile from the installation. Connection is made via phone-line type data cable, and control is achieved by console and foot pedal through a PC running a software program specially designed for Wally 2 Axes.

This new system is installed in the newly designed Moody Theater in Austin, Texas for the PBS series Austin City Limits. While designed to benefit live theater performances, Wally 2 Axes is also slated to support several news programs in the near future. The system can be permanently installed in a theater or live production environment or easily set up and reconfigured for both feature and television production.

For more information: www.innovision-optics.com.