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How ARRI Film Cameras Are Built (Video)

How ARRI Film Cameras Are Built (Video)

Believe it or not, ARRI makes more than the Alexa and cool internet web-apps. The company built its reputation on precision film cameras and even though most their press comes in the way of digital offerings, celluloid is still ingrained in ARRI. Now you can watch a cool video about how one of their cameras, the Arri 435 Xtreme, is built courtesy of "How It's Made" and YouTube.

by Evan Luzi | Cameras | March 5, 2011 | Comments: 3

The video is a fascinating mix of man and machine working in tandem to construct the camera. When people are curious why cinema-level cameras are so expensive, I’m not sure they realize the amount of time and manpower that goes into designing, milling, and piecing together the various parts.

What is important to take away from this clip is a greater appreciation for the tools of our craft. There’s a good reason why you must always be taking care of the camera, because it is a delicate machine full of carefully put together components.

Here’s hoping you never have to recreate any of this video on set, but if there’s ever a problem checking the “gauge,” you’ll at least have some kind of reference.

Related posts:

  1. Abusing the RED One Camera’s Varispeed Option
  2. Arri Alexa Pace 3D System Steadicam Rig for Hugo and Transformers 3
  3. RED Epic and Scarlet Cameras By End of 2010?
  4. On Set: Shooting with the Arri Alexa (with Video)

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

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Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Read Next

Abusing the RED One's Varispeed Option

Abusing the RED One Camera's Varispeed Option

This weekend while working on "Heather," the crew and I used the RED One to shoot some high speed footage at 120 frames per second. We were waiting for the sun to go down while shooting and took that opportunity to shoot some silly footage of us in super slow motion.

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Deciphering the Film Slate Mural

Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 3): Twelve Examples of a Completed Slate

I find looking at other slates to be extremely helpful. When I was first starting out as a 2nd AC, it was useful to see how others applied the principles I had learned about slating. So let's take a look at twelve completed clapperboards.

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Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

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Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

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