New Media Manitoba’s StudioLab xR: Intro to Motion Control

Overview:
This 3-day hands-on workshop is an introduction to motion control camera work with the Cinebot Mini for camera crews and directors alike.

No robotics or programming background needed. If you work around cameras, or you direct them, this workshop is designed for you.

Motion control lets a camera repeat the exact same move, shot after shot, with a precision no human operator can match by hand. From perfectly matched passes for a visual effects plate or complex hi-speeds moves. It’s a techniques that shows up constantly in commercials, film, and virtual production and is now a part of StudioLab xR with the Cinebot Mini.

This workshop will introduce you to the Cinebot Mini, a compact robotic camera system, and Flair, the software used to program and run it. Led by Marc Roberts Authorized Trainer Hans Chew, it’s designed to take participants from operation basics to actual planning, programming, and shooting with it.

The first two days are all about the machine itself — setup, safe operation, and hands-on programming time. The third day shifts the focus to the creative side: participants plan and shoot a short faux commercial, giving directors and camera crews a chance to work together the way they would on a real set.

Who this is for:

• Directors of photograph
• assistant camera operators
• camera department crew
• Anyone curious about motion control who wants a genuine, hands-on introduction rather than just watching a demo.

What you’ll walk away knowing how to do:

Days 1–2: Are built specifically for directors and content creators, covering hands-on operation of the system.

• Operating the system
• Get oriented on the Cinebot Mini with its moving parts, range of motion, weight limits, and how it’s safely set up on set.
• Program camera moves in Flair, including moves with multiple defined points that the system can repeat exactly.
• Record a move by hand and have the system play it back identically, over and over.
• Calibrate the system, follow safe operating procedure, and troubleshoot common issues.
• Get real, supervised practice time programming and running the system yourself.

Day 3: Puts you in the driver’s seat with planning and directing a real shoot using motion control.

• Directing with motion control
• Learn how to turn a shot list and a creative vision into a programmed camera move.
• Plan and rehearse shots collaboratively
• Directing the instructor, or operating the system yourself.
• Help produce a short faux commercial using motion-controlled camera work, start to finish.
• Wrap with a debrief on how motion control fits into a real directing workflow.