Inside the Motocrane Rig
Motocrane pairs a telescoping crane arm with a dedicated vehicle mount and a remote camera head, giving cinematographers a way to shoot moving vehicles from angles a handheld operator or a static crane can’t reach.
The Telescoping Arm
The arm extends to 12 feet and swings the camera around a moving vehicle at speeds in excess of 75mph/120kmh, tracking alongside, ahead of, or directly over the subject car without ever touching it.
The Vehicle Mount
The crane bolts to a dedicated chase vehicle, keeping the whole rig steady at highway speed and on rough surfaces, so the arm keeps working through hard braking, cornering, and off-road terrain.
The Remote Camera Head
A gyro-stabilized head on the end of the arm gives the operator full pan, tilt, and roll control from inside the chase vehicle, so the shot stays locked on the subject even as both vehicles are moving.
Motocrane Specs
These are the working numbers our crews plan every booking around:
Arm & Payload
Arm reach: 12 feet
Standard payload: 55lbs/25kg
Heavylift payload: 65lbs/30kg
Speed & Control
Top operating speed: 75mph+/120kmh+
Mount: Dedicated chase vehicle, on-road and off-road capable
Head control: Remote pan/tilt/roll, gyro-stabilized
Built for Car Commercials, Chase Scenes and Action Work
Car and Truck Commercials
Car commercials live or die on how the vehicle moves through frame, and the rig is built for exactly that: matching a car’s speed while circling it, dropping low across the hood, or pulling wide to reveal the road ahead, all in a single continuous take.
Chase Scenes and Vehicle-to-Vehicle Action
For chase sequences the crane keeps pace with two vehicles at once, holding a clean line on the lead car while the chase vehicle itself is in motion. That’s what separates a Motocrane shot from one pieced together in post from several static setups.
Motorsport and Track Work
On a closed track the rig rides alongside race cars through corners and straights at full speed, capturing tight, sustained proximity shots that a helicopter or a drone can’t match at ground level.
Productions We've Supported
Our Motocrane reel includes work like the Cadillac CT6 launch campaign shown above, where the rig tracked the vehicle through city streets and open road for a national commercial rollout.
The same setup shows up on our broader film and television production services, since directors booking a vehicle-heavy episode or feature scene need the same continuous, high-speed coverage.
Automotive brands, ad agencies, and production companies book the Motocrane when a scene calls for continuous vehicle coverage rather than a series of cut-together shots. It’s one part of Xizmo Media’s full lineup of NYC aerial and ground production services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motocrane
What is a Motocrane and how is it different from a standard camera crane?
A Motocrane is a telescoping crane arm mounted directly to a chase vehicle, built specifically for shooting moving vehicles. A standard crane is usually stationary or mounted to a dolly, so it can’t keep pace with a car at speed the way a vehicle-mounted rig can.
How fast can the Motocrane operate?
The rig is rated for speeds in excess of 75mph/120kmh, which covers highway driving, closed-course chase work, and most track scenarios.
What’s the difference between the standard and Heavylift configurations?
The standard setup carries payloads up to 55lbs/25kg. The Heavylift configuration raises that to 65lbs/30kg, which covers larger cinema camera packages with zoom lenses or accessories attached.
Do you supply the chase vehicle and crew?
Yes. Every Motocrane booking includes the mounted chase vehicle, a licensed operator, and a technician, so the rig arrives ready to shoot rather than needing to be built on location.
Can the Motocrane run alongside cable cam or FPV coverage on the same shoot?
Yes. Productions frequently combine it with our Agito cable cam system for fixed-line moves or our FPV drone cinematography for aerial chase angles, giving one shoot day ground-level, cable, and aerial coverage of the same vehicle action.
Ready to Book the Motocrane for Your Shoot?
Tell us about the vehicle, the locations, and the shot list, and we’ll build the Motocrane package around it: chase vehicle, operator, and camera mount included.