Date:04/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/04/stories/2006030416660200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu filmed on RollVision

S.R. Ashok Kumar

The camera is great for filming action scenes and music videos

INNOVATIVE: Actor Kamal Haasan watches technicians work with RollVision camera

CHENNAI: When the Kamal Haasan-Jothika starrer Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu hits the screen, it will signal the use of new technology in Tamil cinema.

The technology and techniques used make the clips and trailers on television channels look impressive.

"I was happy to see the footage. The trailer has made the people look forward to the film. Thanks to the hard work of Goutham and cameraman Ravi Varman it looks like this will be another technically good film," says Kamal Haasan.

Goutham Menon says that to make the film different Ravi Varman wanted to do it in Super 35mm format. "I accepted the decision. Then, when he wanted to shoot with RollVision I agreed. Producer Seventh Channel Narayanan also agreed."

Over to Ravi Varman: "RollVision is small and weighs only 16 pounds, which makes it a versatile remote controlled camera system. It can be used on different platforms, even on horseback. We have used it in different places in Vettaiyadu...

"Rollvision is a 3 axes camera support system that can roll, pan and tilt in all directions, even 360 degrees. There are no cables. It can work in all formats, including 35mm ARRI 435, ARRI 111, and 16mm ARRI SR11 and ArriSR111. One can use any lens, including a Panavision primos17.5, 35mm super, normal, speed, 35mm primes and 16mm primes."

The equipment owner, Harish, says RollVision was used in films such as Blade III, Matrix II, The Scorpion King and Collateral Damage. It is great for filming action scenes and music videos and our movies have both these ingredients. Now that should be worth a watch.