STAR WARS TRILOGY (1977) - ILM Motion Control 'Rama' Camera
This Technirama camera, serial G-9, was owned by visual-effects house Industrial Light & Magic (ILM] and was used extensively for effects photography on all three original Star Wars films. The camera was used on a motion control rig with a large multi-axis geared head. It was ILM’s second motion control camera behind the well documented Dykstraflex, and was known at ILM as the 'Rama'. The camera began its life as a 3-strip Technicolor camera manufactured in the 1930s, and in the 1950s was converted to the Vista Vision format. When ILM was established by George Lucas in 1975, Vista Vision was selected as the VFX film format of choice. Camera reports from Star Wars: A New Hope show this unit was used extensively, and shot key elements such as X-wing and TIE Fighter models. The camera is also noted in a period interview as having filmed the famous 'jump to hyperspace' streak photography shot. After the first film, the camera worked again on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and other ILM films of the period, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dragonslayer, Poltergeist and E.T. It remained part of ILM’s camera department throughout the 1990s.The camera has an ILM-installed brass plate on the side door marked '1', indicating it was the number-one Technirama camera ILM owned. It is in complete running order, with its original movement (the intricate mechanical component that shuttles the film through the body) intact. A 28mm lens is currently fitted to the body. It includes an original co-axial magazine that appears in several behind-the-scenes Star Wars photographs. Also included is an original ILM motor, a friction head, Mitchell tripod and tripod spreader for display set-up. Additional accessories include a Technirama component case labelled 'Star Wars Corp, EMI Studios, London' and an ILM Camera control box. The case holds additional lenses and filters. The camera control box is labelled 'G-Nine Rama' and is adorned with an ILM magician sticker and a Lucasfilm Ltd. tag. The controller is designed to connect to a servomotor and is not in working order. The camera is supplied with a detailed letter of provenance from ILM visual-effects supervisor Richard Edlund. Copies of ten original camera reports documenting this camera on Star Wars: A New Hope are also included, representing a small portion of the shots the camera was used for. Also included are copies of photographs from all three Star Wars films where the camera can be seen working. Markings and paint scratches on the camera today are clearly visible in the vintage photographs. This camera is responsible for capturing some of the most memorable shots and sequences in cinema history. Camera body dimensions: 66 cm x 28 cm x 48 cm (26" x 11" x19"); magazine dimensions: 52 cm x 20 cm x 13cm (20½" x 8" x 5 ¼")*This lot is currently located in Prop Stores Los Angeles facility and will ship directly to the buyer from Los Angeles. Please see the Conditions of Sale for information on applicable VAT and/or import duties. VAT Status - US