Mocolab provided the motion control for a high-impact promotional spot for the Professional Fighters League’s “Battle of the Giants” featuring Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Using the Cinebot Max, the team captured dynamic, larger-than-life visuals, overcoming the challenges of a green screen shoot in a small studio and a tight production schedule to deliver some truly epic results.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
DP Marcus Taplin tasked Mocolab — an Expressway Cinema Rentals Company, with helping create a high-energy promotional spot for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to promote the much-anticipated “Battle of the Giants” between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. The project aimed to create epic, larger-than-life visuals of the fighters as they prepared for their MMA bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Shot entirely on a green screen in the studio, the production required intricate, dynamic camera movements to make the fighters appear massive and imposing. Together, Production Company — Duality Entertainment and Mocolab sought to capture the energy and intensity of the matchup while ensuring that the visuals conveyed that this is a fight you won’t want to miss.
To achieve the production house’s vision, Mocolab chose to go with the Cinebot Max for its compact design, precise control, and ability to handle complex moves on set. Its versatile long reach would ensure the fighters looked colossal on screen while being lightweight and portable enough to quickly reposition and adapt within the studio environment. With tight production timelines—shooting in mid-August for a launch within 60 days—and the team having only just received the Cinebot Max a couple of months prior, the team had a tough job ahead.
“The Cinebot Max is a filmmaker's motion control robot. It’s approachable and less intimidating than larger robots. This platform enables Directors and DPs to participate in the shot programming process actively. The operator can collaborate closely with others on set to develop the perfect shot. As an operator myself, I’m excited about the level of collaboration the Cinebot line facilitates.” (Josh Treadway — Motion Control Operator, Mocolab)
THE CHALLENGE
The primary goal of this project was to capture smooth, sweeping camera movements that would exaggerate the size and power of the fighters. The camera needed to float around the talent, creating a helicopter-like effect while making the fighters appear enormous. Achieving this dramatic scale was further complicated by the need to shoot entirely on green screen, where visual effects would be added later by All Ready Been Chewed, necessitating precise and repeatable movements to align with post-production demands.
The long, sweeping motions required to create a sense of scale posed significant technical hurdles. The rig would need to maintain smooth, fluid motion to avoid a mechanical feel, with precision being critical to meet the VFX team’s requirements. The crew needed to prevent jerky movements or inaccuracies in the camera’s path, as these would be challenging to correct later. Ensuring consistency and stability while executing these complex moves was essential to maintaining the visual flow of the final footage.
Working within a confined studio space added another layer of difficulty, as the motion control system needed to perform long-reach, swooping shots while maneuvering around a fully lit green screen setup without disrupting the lighting or blocking other crew members. The tight studio environment also limited the available space for equipment and personnel, making it crucial to find a solution that could operate efficiently in close quarters.
Additionally, the team faced time pressures, with the project timeline from shoot to release being incredibly tight. There was no opportunity for pre-visualization (Pre-Vis), so the camera moves had to be developed and adjusted on set in real time. It was essential that the rig could be easily adjusted on the fly to meet the demands of the Director of Production while providing consistent and repeatable motion throughout to support the VFX-heavy shoot.
“From a tech perspective, the Cinebot Max was a game-changer. Its compact size meant we could set up in tight quarters without disrupting the rest of the crew, and the PushMoco system allowed us to reposition the camera easily without interrupting the flow of the shoot. This level of efficiency was a real win for the production.” (Ben Vuocolo — Bolt™ Tech, Mocolab)
The Solution
The Cinebot Max proved to be the perfect solution for overcoming the challenges of this shoot. One of its key strengths is its long reach, which allowed the team to execute the wide, swooping movements required to make the fighters appear enormous. The extended arm reach meant that the camera could curve gracefully around the talent, capturing dramatic angles that emphasized the fighters’ size and power. The rig’s nimble movement also enabled it to achieve tight pivots and execute complex moves, offering more dynamic shots than thought possible.
In terms of space constraints, the Cinebot Max’s compact footprint was invaluable. Its lightweight build allowed it to be easily maneuvered into position, even in the confined studio environment. This prevented any disruption to the lighting setup or the work of other crew members, allowing for a smooth and efficient workflow. The rig’s ability to quickly reset and reposition made it ideal for the fast-paced nature of the shoot, cutting down on setup time and allowing the team to stay on schedule.
Despite the lack of Pre-Vis, the Cinebot Max allowed for real-time adjustments thanks to its PushMoco system, which facilitated on-the-fly collaboration between the motion control operator and the DP. Motion Control Operator Josh Treadway was able to easily make adjustments mid-shoot, while DP Marcus Taplin could directly interact with the robot to ensure that the camera’s movements aligned perfectly with his vision, saving time on set in this time-conscious shoot. This seamless communication between crew members was crucial to achieving the exact shots needed, allowing the shoot to take off without a hitch, even without extensive pre-planning.
“The Cinebot Max was a top choice for this shoot. It streamlined scheduling and operator logistics, with PushMoco fostering open collaboration between all crew. It’s an all-in-one tool for straightforward and effective motion control.” (Mike Greenberg — Managing Partner, Mocolab)
Flair running on Linux provided a stable platform for the Cinebot Max, enabling advanced features that significantly enhanced the efficiency of the shoot. By utilizing Flair’s auxiliary axes, the team could avoid mechanical, hard, and fast movements and instead perform graceful, flowing motions, such as pulling back for wider shots, moving in closely, slowing down, and executing subtle “floaty” movements reminiscent of helicopters flying overhead.
The Cinebot Max was integral to the success of the PFL promotional spot, delivering wide-reaching, dynamic shots that gave the fighters an almost mythic scale, emphasizing the grandiosity of the “Battle of the Giants.” Its long reach, compact design, and flexibility allowed the crew to maneuver effectively in a confined studio space, while its ability to easily adjust and refine movements on set streamlined the entire production process. The positive feedback from the crew further underscores the Cinebot Max’s reliability, efficiency, and ease of use as a filmmaker’s motion control solution.
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