A company named Top Crane has invented the Ghost One, which is “The first 20-foot universal remote arm, on the market”. Ghost One’s payload is 80lb. Its design is characterized by, a high level of durability, yet lightweight and mobile. According to Top Crane, the system can be built in almost every car. However, the price is not for the faint-hearted…
Top Crane: Dedicated for action-oriented filmmakers
Top Crane is a company that specializes in building automotive camera stabilization systems. Top Crane says that its products “Redefine the limitations of traditional camera movement and composition at top speed”. Furthermore, Top Crane’s goal is to empower action-oriented filmmakers to capture images that were once out of reach. The company has developed two main products for high-speed vehicle shots (pursuit system): Stealth One, and the more advanced Ghost One stabilization system, which has been launched recently.
The Ghost One Can be mounted on nearly anything with four wheels or a rudder
Top Crane
Ghost One: Mobile and compatible with almost every car
The Ghost One ships in five flight cases assembles quickly and can be mounted on nearly “anything with four wheels or a rudder” says Top Crane. According to the company, the Ghost One joystick interface is intuitive and simple, designed for the most demanding professional. “Grasp the controls and get the shot at max speed, on the pavement or off” the company states.
Furthermore, Top Crane emphasizes that the Ghost One is the only universal remote arm with the Phantom Stabilization Algorithm, a twin gyro-driven motor feedback system, boasting thousands of counter calculations per second, working in tandem with Ghost One’s hinged tail that flexes independently of its boom, allowing the vehicle to traverse jarring situations without transferring shake down the arm. That allows working in unison with the remote head, rather than against it.
You shouldn’t bring camera equipment, as you can pack it up in a few cases and take it anywhere your work takes you.
Top Crane
20-foot arm: Packed in suitcases
The Ghost On owns a modular 15 and 20-foot boom. Short mode for close-quarter dynamics and long mode for all the reach you may need for stunts and big reveals. Built for use in silt beds, sand dunes, rainstorms, blizzards, race tracks, and all other general places, the company notes that you shouldn’t bring camera equipment, as you can pack it up in a few cases and take it anywhere your work takes you.
The Ghost On owns a modular 15 and 20-foot boom. Short mode for close-quarter dynamics and long mode for all the reach you may need for stunts and big reveals.
Top Crane
Build quality
Ghost One is made in the USA, machined, coated, assembled, and quality checked in California. One hundred percent laser cut and CNC milled for precision fitment, meticulously TIG-welded, built from aerospace-grade, aluminum, carbon fiber, and Kevlar, as Top Crane defines it.
Price
Well, as we mentioned in the abstract, the price is not for the faint-hearted. There are several versions of Ghost One. Prices are listed below:
- Ghost One arm: $99,000
- 5’ extension: $6,600
- Ghost One with Shotover M1 Gimbal: $248,000
- Permanent Grad: $1,240
- Travel Grid: $3,000
- Flight Cases: $4,000
- Extended Warranty: $4,000
Further prices and descriptions can be found on the product page.
Check you the Ghost One commercial below:
Final thoughts
The ability to travel (pack n’ go) with your ‘Russian Arm’ and pair it on almost every vehicle to get those super epic pursuit shots is very much welcomed. However, you will have to break your bank first. On paper, Ghost One looks great, but don’t forget this system needs high experienced operators (drivers, and cinematographers). Hence, it’ll be more logical to rent the whole system and its support, for a specific set of shots. What do you think about this solution offered by Top Crane? Let’s know your insights.
