Polecam Rig no. 600 at the RCS

Best known to GTC members as a useful, lightweight jib in TV work, Polecam has other diverse uses as well. Graeme Chapman, MD of GTC sponsors Polecam Systems recently announced the sale of the 600th Polecam rig to the AV Team at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) in London, where it will be used in their state-of-the-art training facilities to advance production capabilities, improve observation of medical procedures, and raise the level of resolution for live, recorded and replayed material.

“The sale of our 600th rig to the Royal College of Surgeons of England marks a significant milestone in Polecam’s history. What started out as a light portable alternative to film walruses in the Arctic is now being used in the most prestigious medical training facility in the UK. Whether it’s the Games in Rio next year, the training of future surgeons or the current Rugby world Cup in the UK, Polecam will be there.”

The rig has been delivered as a complete turnkey system including tripod and dolly, full Polecam medical rig with CC HD Minizoom and remote lens controller all through a slip-ringed head allowing 360 degrees of pan. This can be particularly useful when looking down vertically as orientation can easily be lost with inexperienced operators.

High-quality images from the best angle

Steffan Hewitt is the designer of Polecam and a director of Polecam Systems. He has had wide experience in the medical use of Polecam. “The beauty of this Polecam set-up is that the style of shooting does not require fully trained camera operators. They are not looking for nice sweeping shots with a pull focus over the instruments. Quite the opposite. It’s about getting the camera in the right place, which is often difficult if it is mounted up in the lighting rig or handheld by a cameraman. Theatre technicians are becoming quite adept at Polecam and even enjoying it.”

Head of the AV Team at the RCS, Matt Thompson, said: “The Polecam system is tried and tested in the surgical operating environment. Our clients and delegates now enjoy the benefit of high-quality views from all angles when they are practising surgical techniques. The camera is easy to use and it all packs down into lightweight cases so is portable.”

The College’s Education Directorate is responsible for creating, developing and running training courses for surgeons throughout their careers across all of the surgical specialties. The College is a world-leading authority on training surgeons and is one of the largest global providers of surgical training courses, offering over 70 different types of course which around 10,000 surgical participants attend each year. The portfolio ranges from basic skills courses for students, foundation doctors and trainees right, through to consultants and senior surgeons. Furthermore, in recognition of the increased multidisciplinary care of patients, the College has developed courses that support the wider surgical team, as well as other medical specialties.

The AV Team won the AV 2014 Award for In-House AV Team, after being HighlyCommended in the 2013 awards. The annual awards event is run by AV Magazine and is judged by a panel of industry professionals.

Through the AV Department the College also offers webcasting, live events, multimedia production, post-production services and the opportunity to rent equipment.

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