completely modifiable blackbird film rig can impersonate any car

completely modifiable blackbird film rig can impersonate any car

automotive content in the entrainment industry has been dictated or hampered by car availability, model revisions, limited access to locations and footage that can quickly become irrelevant. in collaboration with jemFX, performance filmworks and keslow, the mill have created ‘blackbird’ – a car rig that can be shot at any time, in any location, without the need to rely on a physical car.

after post-production CGI, the rig can look like any car 

the rig is able to quickly transform its chassis to match the exact length and width of almost any car on the market. powered by an electric motor, it can be programmed to imitate acceleration curves and gearing shifts and the adjustable suspension alters ride height, rigidity and dampening to replicate typical driving characteristics.

with an adjustable chassis, the car can mimic any car

the mill ‘blackbird’ is able to capture quality footage and date due to its camera array and tailor-made stabilization unit. a combination of high-dynamic range imagery and 3D laser scanning generates a virtual version of the environment, producing 100% realistic CG renderings. the mill has taken this a step further, developing a custom augmented reality application that allows viewers to see the intended vehicle in CG, tracked live over the rig on location. 

the car is powered by an electric motor

a custom augmented reality application

the adjustable suspension alters ride height, rigidity and dampening