The Dykstraflex was the first digital
motion control photography camera system, named after its primary developer
John Dykstra. 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
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
''. Using old
VistaVision
VistaVision is a higher resolution, widescreen variant of the 35 mm motion picture film format that was created by engineers at Paramount Pictures in 1954.
Paramount did not use anamorphic processes such as CinemaScope but refined the ...
cameras (for their high image resolution), created by engineers at
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
in 1954, and hand wire wrapped
TTL 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, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in ...
in 1978.
Dykstra once said about his role in developing the Dykstraflex, “George Lucas wanted this moving camera for all of the photography in Star Wars. He was willing to take a risk with the concepts that I advanced with regard to ways for doing that.”
See also
*
Motion control photography
References
External links
Dykstra discusses the Dykstraflex
Movie cameras
Motion control photography
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