The Cutare Film team was led by owner/motion-control operator/DP Cosmin Fericean, who worked along with director Damian Groves. The Bolt PTR camera head was attached to a Bolt X motion-control robot. The film needed to combine intimate character storytelling with high-energy, cinematic automotive sequences. The aim was to show how the PTR’s added stability, sleek design, and pan/tilt/roll capabilities could allow shots that would have been nearly impossible otherwise.
The production needed precise control inside the tight confines of the Porsche, including close-ups of the talent, wing mirror, and a child’s sippy cup that became a key narrative device. This would have been difficult without the PTR because gimbal lock would have prevented the arm from turning beyond its set limit.
Outside the car, two Bolt X arms would be synchronized to hand off the camera smoothly from window to window, executing fluid multi-arm moves with the PTR head. The film would also include day and night high-speed passes, putting the Bolt PTR through its paces on every move.
The stability on the pan axis and infinite roll capabilities opened up previously impossible angles, letting the team explore numerous shots inside the Porsche.
From the outset, the team faced a series of challenges that highlighted the need for the Bolt PTR head. Shooting inside a Porsche 911 meant navigating extremely tight quarters. Traditional camera rigs would struggle to frame the shot and small props without encountering tilt-90 errors.
The sunroof-to-interior dive required precise pan and tilt movements that could be repeated reliably. The story also demanded fluid continuity between interior and exterior shots, including high-speed sequences and handoffs between two Bolt X arms. Each movement had to be timed and repeated for multiple passes to ensure every frame aligned accurately for editing and VFX.
The team also needed to maintain a cinematic, flowing style that felt natural and immersive, rather than mechanical. This was the first time Cutare Film had used the Bolt PTR, and they needed to navigate its features, using continuous roll to simulate wheel movement; tilt to capture shots inside the car and through the wing mirror; and pan within the tight confines of the vehicle. Balancing these technical requirements while keeping the narrative and performances at the forefront was critical to making the father-son story emotionally engaging.
The Bolt PTR head was well suited for this ambitious shoot. Its compact, lightweight design allowed the camera to navigate the tight interior of the Porsche without the need for complex rigging or multiple pieces of equipment. The PTR’s infinite roll, and fluid pan & tilt capabilities enabled some 360-degree roll shots on the wheel and super tight spots within the vehicle. The sunroof-to-interior move was executed while framing the child’s expression in a way that maintained cinematic flow, while looking dynamic and natural. Repeatability was also key for multiple passes of interior and night racing sequences. Its precise motion allowed the team to execute complex camera choreography, including the handoff between two Bolt X arms, creating seamless transitions that appeared like a continuous shot on-screen. The PTR’s stability ensured every take aligned accurately, giving the team confidence in post, and reducing the need for additional corrections.
Moves that would have required cumbersome repositioning of traditional rigs were completed quickly, allowing the crew to maintain momentum and focus on storytelling. Because the PTR is a head on the Bolt system, there was no need to move the entire robot to achieve difficult angles. This ability to rotate, tilt and roll the camera in tight spaces enabled shots that were previously impossible in vehicles, saving time and expanding creative possibilities.