The Dykstraflex was the first digital
motion control photography camera system, named after its primary developer
John Dykstra
John Charles Dykstra, A.S.C. (; born June 3, 1947) is an American special effects artist, pioneer in the development of the use of computers in filmmaking and recipient of three Academy Awards, among many other awards and prizes. He was one o ...
. Numerous people actually created the camera, with the critical electronics being created by
Alvah J. Miller and
Jerry Jeffress.
The camera was developed in 1976 specifically for complex special effects shots in ''
Star Wars''. Using old
VistaVision
VistaVision is a higher resolution, widescreen variant of the 35 mm motion picture film format which was created by engineers at Paramount Pictures in 1954.
Paramount never used anamorphic processes such as 2.55: 1, CinemaScope but refi ...
cameras (for their high image resolution), created by engineers at
Paramount Pictures in 1954, and hand wire wrapped
TTL
TTL may refer to:
Photography
* Through-the-lens metering, a camera feature
* Zenit TTL, an SLR film camera named for its TTL metering capability
Technology
* Time to live, a computer data lifespan-limiting mechanism
* Transistor–transistor lo ...
chips, the all-digitally controlled system allowed for 7 axes of motion: roll, pan, tilt, swing, boom, traverse, track, lens focus, motor drive, shutter control, and their duplication in multiple takes.
Dykstra's development of this first digital motion control camera system earned himself, Al Miller, and Jerry Jeffress
Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
in 1978.
See also
*
Motion control photography
External links
Dykstra discusses the Dykstraflex
Movie cameras
Motion control photography
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