remotehead

Remotehead refers to a motorized pan and tilt device used to control a camera from a distance. Mounted on tripods, jibs, cranes, or dollies, remote heads enable precise framing, smooth motion, and repeatable camera positions without operator presence at the camera. They are a key element in professional film, television, and commercial production.

Most remoteheads contain two axes of motion (pan and tilt) driven by servo or stepper motors, with proportional control, variable speeds, and damping to minimize jitter. Many models offer additional features such as a roll axis, but some are two-axis only. Control is via a handheld joystick, control panel, or computer-based motion controller; some systems support wireless control, while others rely on wired connections. They often provide programmable presets, timecode or shot-list integration, and the ability to repeat a shot exactly. Load capacity varies; smaller heads handle lightweight cameras with supports like matte boxes, while large studio heads support heavy cinema cameras with accessories.

Remoteheads are used on a variety of rigs including cranes, jibs, dolly rigs, and track-mounted systems. In addition to standard speed control, they can include motion-control integration for complex, repeatable camera moves; they may offer backlash compensation and soft-start/soft-stop features to protect gear and achieve smooth motion.

A brief history: remote heads emerged in the mid-20th century with early electric pan-tilt devices and evolved alongside improvements in servo technology and control interfaces, becoming standard tools on many professional rigs for sports, news, and feature filmmaking.

See also: pan-tilt head, motion control, jib, crane, dolly, cine automation.