About this project
Revolve Automated Motion: Motorized Camera Dolly / Slider
$130,201
301
Motion control systems give you precise motorized control of your camera moves, and can help you create absolutely stunning time-lapses and ultra smooth videos. But, these systems are normally bulky, complicated, and can cost thousands of dollars.
My goal was to create a versatile, portable, and extremely affordable motion control system, and I am proud to introduce the result: Revolve Automated Motion.
Revolve Automated Motion (or RAM for short) is a versatile motion control system for time-lapse and ultra smooth video. It can be used with any camera slider or with the Revolve Camera Dolly to create a wide variety of stunning footage! The kit adds precise and fully adjustable motorized control to your camera moves, and at an amazingly affordable price!
FOR YOUR SLIDER:
The Revolve Automated Motion slider kit transforms any normal camera slider into a motorized slider with fully automatic movement. Our universal mounting system is designed to be compatible with any slider on the market.
FOR YOUR DOLLY:
The Revolve Automated Motion dolly kit is compatible with the Revolve Camera Dolly system. It can drive the Revolve Dolly directly in 'friction drive mode' for panning, curved, circular, or linear movement. It can also move the dolly along the Revolve rail system in 'belt drive mode'.
The versatility of Revolve Automated Motion is amazing.
Interchangeable motors and fully variable speed control let you use the system for both time lapse and live video shooting. The multi-platform mounting capability lets you use the RAM system with a wide range of camera support gear.
When combined with a slider, the RAM kit is capable of moving the camera straight up a vertical rail. Our heavy duty motors can lift a 90° vertical payload of over 10 lbs. The slider can be tripod mounted for variable height, and can be angled at an incline creating dramatic movement.
When paired with the Revolve Camera Dolly, you can attain curved motion, or even full panoramic or circular movement. Another great feature when using the dolly is that your movement is not limited by the length of your slider or track; the dolly can move freely along any flat surface for a virtually unlimited distance.
When using the motor kit with the Revolve Camera Dolly, you can also take advantage of the dolly's unique portable rail kit that transforms it into a slider. Add your own pipes of any length to create the track you need; use a set of 10 foot pipes for those extra long camera moves, use a set of 3 foot pipes for portability, or anything in between!
Rewards:
$299: RAM slider add-on kit. This reward includes one Revolve Automated Motion system (with 5rpm motor), and universal slider mounting hardware.
$299: RAM dolly add-on kit. This reward includes one Revolve Automated Motion system (with 5rpm motor), and Revolve Dolly mounting hardware.
$399: RAM complete dolly kit. This reward includes one Revolve Automated Motion system (with 5rpm motor), Revolve Dolly mounting hardware, and one Revolve Camera Dolly system.
$449: RAM complete slider kit. This reward includes one Revolve Automated Motion system (with 5rpm motor), universal slider mounting hardware, and one 36" camera slider.
$549: RAM ultimate combo kit. This Reward includes BOTH kits!: ONE Revolve Automated Motion system (with 5rpm motor), universal slider mounting hardware, Revolve Dolly mounting hardware, one Revolve Camera Dolly System, and one 36" slider.
*Please Note: The ball head and friction arm mounts shown in the example photos above are not included, but can be added to your pledge reward. Camera not included.
The RAM Kit:
The Revolve Automated Motion system is designed to be simple yet effective. The functional components of the kit include a motor, a controller, and the mounting hardware. The kit is then driven either by a belt and pulley (as pictured above), or with the dolly's green friction drive gear. The mounting hardware is different for the Slider Kit, and the Dolly Kit (slider mount shown above). Also included but not pictured: belt end clamps, battery charger (110-240v), 6' motor plug extender cable, hex wrenches for installation, and instructions.
Three different motors are available which allow the system to work properly for different uses. The speed of each motor is adjustable using the controller, and using different motors gives the system a complete range from ultra slow to fast movement. The system ships standard with the 5rpm motor. The 5rpm motor is good for most time lapse situations, or for very slow video movement (most of the time-lapse in the video was shot using the 5rpm motor.) The Slow 1rpm motor is used for very slow time lapse, or for night-lapse shots where you are using a slow shutter/long exposure. The Fast 60rpm motor is used for live action video. To add the slow or fast motors to your order, please see instructions in the "pledge extra for" section above.
Why Revolve Automated Motion?
The Revolve Automated Motion system was designed with a specific goal in mind: to overcome several shortfalls of the motion control systems that are currently available. I have worked hard to ensure that the RAM system solves these problems:
1. Available systems were overly complicated. The RAM system is incredibly simple and intuitive to use. The speed is controlled with one knob, and the direction is controlled with the flip of a switch. The whole system sets up in minutes; you can have your first shot running right after you open up the box.
2. Available systems were difficult to travel with. The RAM system is small, lightweight, and incredibly portable. The whole system weighs just a few pounds and will pack neatly with the rest of your gear. When combined with our Revolve Rail system and our unique Travel Tracks, the system is the ultimate in portable motion control.
3. Available systems lacked versatility. The RAM system is designed to work with any camera support gear, and unlike most systems, is capable of speeds all the way from time-lapse to live action video. It pairs flawlessly with the Revolve camera Dolly (which is already impressively versatile on it's own), and can work with any camera slider on the market. With some DIY creativity, or with the possibility of future mounts made available from Revolve, the kit can add motorized control to other gear such as camera jibs / cranes, and cable cams.
4. Available Systems were very expensive. Motion control systems don't need to cost thousands of dollars.The RAM system is wonderfully affordable, starting at only $299.
The Revolve Camera Dolly
Last year we launched our very first product right here on Kickstarter: The Revolve Camera Dolly. The Revolve Dolly is a uniquely versatile and very affordable tool for creating smooth and dynamic video footage. Unlike a typical table top dolly, the Revolve Dolly's unique rail system allows smooth camera movement at any location.
Tripod mounting holes are located on either end of the rail system, and you can create a track of any length using common inexpensive PVC or conduit pipes.
With adjustable axles, the dolly can capture a huge variety of cinematic movements. The system can be used with virtually any type of camera!
The Revolve Automated Motion system functions flawlessly with the Revolve Dolly, complimenting it's many uses and adding further to it's versatility. To learn more about the dolly, visit our website, or view the Kickstarter project that brought it to life.
More RAM Sample Footage
The video below is a great demonstration of the variety of shots the RAM system is capable of. In just a day of shooting at the Nixon Library, friend Dan Douglas was able to capture a bunch of great shots. In this instance he paired the Automated Motion kit with the Revolve Camera Dolly.
About the Travel Tracks
Revolve Travel Tracks are a portable track system for use with the Revolve Camera Dolly system and it's rail kit. The Travel Tracks come in a standard length of 6 feet (a total of six 2 foot long sections). They are also infinitely expandable by adding more sections. The strong and lightweight aluminum tubing breaks down to just 24" for easy travel in the included carry case.
Who We Are
Revolve Camera believes that camera gear should be as versatile as the artist who uses it, and that the best gear is the gear that you can afford! Our company was founded here on Kickstarter one year ago with the release of the Revolve Camera Dolly. We have been thrilled to see thousands of photographers and film makers all around the globe share in the excitement of our products. We hope you will join us in expanding our line of versatile and affordable camera support gear!
Thank You!
Thank you for checking out this project! We greatly appreciate your support, it truly means the world to us! Kickstarter is an all or nothing crowd funding website, so if we don't reach our goal, all of the pledge money will be returned to backers, and we won't be able to produce the Revolve Automated Motion system. So please help spread the word and share this project on your facebook, twitter, blog, by email, etc. and help us turn Revolve Automated Motion into a reality!
-Jeremy
Special thanks to Dan Douglas for the awesome time-lapse footage using our prototype kit, Vince Lundi for the some buttery smooth video clips, and Ben Messelbeck for the great music!
Risks and challenges
There are certain risks and challenges that are inherent to manufacturing and delivering a product, but we have carefully examined the challenges involved, and are confident in our ability to avoid or overcome all of these possible scenarios.
Having funded a product here on Kickstarter in the past, we have undergone the sourcing/manufacturing/fulfillment process and through our experience know exactly what needs to be done to avoid any potential problems.
We currently have a fully functional prototype, and have a trusted manufacturer ready to begin production as soon as the project is successfully funded. Their high quality and fully scalable manufacturing capabilities mean that they can handle any order volume quickly and professionally.
Our current day to day operations include order fulfillment of both domestic and international orders. We will be ready to ship out all rewards as soon as we receive products from our manufacturer. In the case that we exceed our expected order volumes, we are prepared to bring more hands on deck so that we can ship out all rewards on time.
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Funding period
- (60 days)