SANDSTORM – THE TECHNODOLLY SPECIALISTS
SPECIFICATIONS
TechnoDolly is a completely unique (and complicated) piece of film making equipment and is available in three sizes on location, in your studio… or ours.
All TechnoDolly’s are fully repeatable. Whether the original move is made by hand – like a traditional crane move, using keyframes like a motion control or from an imported move like an FBX.
VARIANTS OF TECHNODOLLY
– TechnoDolly 10 is the smallest and most portable setup, a brand new 10ft mini crane, it has no track and the head can only support small cameras. But if you need a repeatable camera move in a hard to reach spot or where access is an issue, this is the TechnoDolly for you.
– TechnoDolly 15 is the industry standard, well known with seasoned feature and commercial crews around the world. This rugged, fully repeatable camera crane has a height of 15ft and reach of 13ft. It comes on 60ft of custom repeatable track (built in 10ft sections), it can be base mounted too. This is the most flexible and affordable option available to you and is delivered in a single low-loader luton van without the need for a taco.
– TechnoDolly 25 was born from demand for faster and further, utilising the same track and column as the 15ft, with a longer arm to give 25ft reach and 20ft height (without a rostrum with a standard max height of 23ft underslung – see tech sheet for more details) the head is also easily overslung to reach 25ft. TechnoDolly 25 gives you the extra reach and speed, but as a consequence is much heavier and the bucket (back end) is 9ft long.
That small inconvenience is a minor issue when you consider all the advantages you get from this incredible new version of the TechnoDolly.
All TechnoDolly systems can be operated:
– Fully manual (like a traditional crane and remote head and then repeated)
– Part-manual (for example the crane moves on keyframes, the head is operated manually… and then repeated)
– Keyframed
– From FBX files or other move files
– Anything in between.
This is the most flexible way to create beautiful, repeatable camera moves with simplicity. We’ve shot entire films on a TechnoDolly right down to one shot for a show.
Our TechnoDolly’s come in custom-built low-loader luton vans with experienced operators.
You tell us how you want to work and what you want to achieve and Sandstorm will ensure it happens.
Need to know more – watch our YouTube channel.
ABOUT
Established in Soho, London in 2000. Sandstorm partner with studios, brands and agencies to provide the creative and production resource they need.
Sandstorm deliver:
- Long-form production and production support including VFX splinter units and TechnoDolly.
- Short-form content production including commercials, creator-led, comms, idents and social.
- Live streaming, podcast, radio & webcasting.
- Postproduction including edit, VFX, CGI, AI, grade, audio mix.
- Transcreation & multi-market delivery including AI voice and picture versioning.
Clients & Collaborators include:
Meet (some of) the Technodolly team:
TOM WARD
Our lead operator with 25 years motion control experience and almost a decade working solely on TechnoDolly.
JENNY CHAPMAN
Jen will help you coordinate your TechnoDolly booking, quotes and enquiries. She’s worked at Sandstorm for over 12 years now (poor thing).
ETHAN HEATHER
Our lovely TechnoDolly assistant and driver. He’s a brilliant set of hands on your production and has been with Sandstorm now for 3 years.
FRAZER HOPKINS
Frazer has a deep knowledge of Q-Take and Trigger syncronisation as well as working as a TechnoDolly assistant. This means he is vital when complex moves require multiple layers of video, triggers sending to sound, light, SFX etc. N.B – We also have a full Q Take setup with monitoring available.
CAM SMITH
Cam has worked with Tom and the team for many years, Cam is also an excellent Camera operator – so if you’re shooting as a small team, or rehearsing without the main unit, he can be a vital addition for you.
History:
For 25 years, Sandstorm has been a visual effects focused production company, creating high-quality content for cinema, streaming, commercials and the myriad of other formats that exist (past and present). Initially formed in Soho, London – we later built our own custom studios in the Cotswolds to help clients maintain control over their content, and their budgets. Since then, we’ve expanded with a base at Ealing Studios, introducing a fresh approach to content production just 15 minutes from Soho and Heathrow.
1993 Sandstorm name and logo designed
2000-2012 Established in Soho, London
2003 Our early tabletop studio
2004-2008 The Hangars, Wroughton
2009-2024 The Old Dairy, Cotswolds
2024 Ealing Studios
CONTACT
SANDSTORM : LONDON
Based at the legendary studio facilities on Ealing Green.
SANDSTORM, Ealing Studios, Ealing Green, W5 5EP
T: +44 (0)20 7 127 4664
Project enquiries: [email protected]
To book facilities or services now: [email protected]
Closest train station EALING BROADWAY via Elizabeth Line, Central and District Lines (15 mins from Soho and Heathrow via Tottenham Court Road Elizabeth Line)
SANDSTORM : WEST
Our head office is now Ealing Studios in London, however we do have a kit store, location production and the ex-Grand Tour track available to you.
Closest train station SWINDON (15 mins taxi ride)
From London by car = M4 West 60-90 min
TRAIN = Paddington 45 mins, Bristol 25 mins
