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Versatility:
by definition, capable of doing many things competently. Imagine
needing a narrow pursuit vehicle capable of chasing a Corvette through
traffic in downtown San Francisco (Lipton
Ice Tea), or a foot chase along narrow sidewalks (ed
TV), a scary following
shot inches behind a speeding car along a golf cart path (Lexus),
chasing sheep along a mountain trail (BMW
Z3), racing side by side along a narrow, winding mountain
road not wide enough for a camera truck (Chrysler),
portraying the excitement of a road luge at speed (GTE),
in close with professional track stars jumping hurdles (Motrin®),
running with the trucks across a Texas meadow (Ford),
carrying a Vespa scooter and two 'riders' for close ups with stars
who couldn't ride (Chrylser Caravan),
running side by side with a Porsche at a road race track (Atlantic
Richfield) splitting an advancing block of 20 cars with minimal
disruption (Acura) and then to complete
the scenario, a circular dolly shot around a flag pole. You can
do all this and much more with one insert camera vehicle - SCV3.
Past experience and opportunities allowed us to contribute to such
major films as Apollo 13, Batman & Robin,
ed TV, Lethal Weapon 3 and a myriad of top commercials for
the likes of Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Taco
Bell, Gillett, Goodyear, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Acura and
the California Lottery.
And now, the most sophisticated and versatile camera platform in
the world is ready to handle your special shot. From walking pace
to 100+ mph and from ground zero to 8' high, we are proud to introduce
SCV3.
Specialized Camera Vehicles has the capability of getting whose
shots you thought were impossible from such a small, narrow, maneuverable,
stable, quiet and fast camera vehicle.
Specialized
Camera Vehicles has been doing business in California since 1987.
Peter Starr, the company's Founder began building camera motorcycles
in 1982 with a motorcycle that was built for his own film "Fast
Freddie". That bike was subsequently used in many films and
television commercials and is now retired and on touring display
at various Automotive Museums. SCV2 was built in 1986 for another
Peter Starr production and this bike differed significantly from
the first camera motorcycle, being made to carry a camera operator
on a rear swivel seat complete with a Steadicam™ system. In
1991 the company started conducting business as "Motorcycles
For Movies", a one stop shop for any production entity faced
with filming motorcycles, or wanting to use our special camera motorcycles
in getting that sought after "one in a million" shot.
Our first job as "Motorcycles For Movies", was Mel Gibson's
film Lethal Weapon 3. Since then we have provided motorcycle and
camera expertise to many commercials and movies.
In 1993 we developed a sidecar camera platform for SCV2 to increase
the carrying capacity
and to widen the applications where this kind of camera platform
could be used. The sidecar could be attached or detached in 5 minutes
which made it very versatile since the bike could be used in solo
or sidecar conformation.
By 1996 it became apparent that the loads we were being asked to
carry and the more extreme location situations we confronted demanded
a total redesign of the motorcycle/sidecar camera vehicle concept.
In 1998, after 12 months of field testing SCV3 was put into commission.
It is a worthy successor to our original camera vehicle concept
and has established a new standard for camera vehicle design. Along
with the launching of SCV3, the name of the camera vehicle operation
was changed from "Motorcycles For Movies" to "Specialized
Camera Vehicles™", in anticipation of other specialized
camera vehicles currently in design and development. "Motorcycles
For Movies" continues to supply photo bikes, stunt coordination,
precision and stunt riders for movies and commercials as a separate
entity.
SCV3 incorporates all of the knowledge we have accumulated about
filming from motorcycles
in the past ten years (Peter Starr's Productions of over 40 films
on motorcycling and our various clients films and commercials) and
is the most versatile and stable motorcycle camera platform available.
The company has a machine shop and the capacity to design and manufacture
new and special mounts to solve any production problem. Because
of our many years of camera vehicle experience we are in a unique
position to offer rock solid production advice and on occasion,
alternatives.
Now with equipment in Hollywood, Vancouver, Canada and London, England;
when it comes to Specialized Camera Vehicles, we can offer unparalleled
services and experience.
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