Picture Car Glossary
gimbal rig for picture cars
What is a gimbal rig for picture cars?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called gimbal, or motion base.
A gimbal rig for picture cars is a motion-controlled hydraulic or pneumatic platform onto which a picture car's body (or body buck) is mounted to simulate vehicle movement pitching, rolling, and yawing during stage filming.
Gimbal rigs are commonly used for in-car sequences where a physical driving sensation must be visible from outside the vehicle (actors being jostled during a chase) while keeping camera access, lighting control, and actor safety optimal. The SFX department designs, operates, and maintains the gimbal during filming.
Example
A buck mounted on a gimbal pitches and rolls on cue in front of a greenscreen, so a violent crash can be performed by actors in a controlled space. The move is programmable, so every take matches.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
A stage setup, booked with the rig's technicians and paired with plate photography.
Common mistake
Booking a gimbal without the plates. The rig gives you the performance and the motion; the world outside the windows still has to be shot separately on the real route.
Related questions
- What is a gimbal rig used for?
- Simulating violent vehicle motion on a stage: crashes, rolls, and rough road, performed safely by actors in a buck or a full car.
- Is a gimbal cheaper than shooting on the road?
- Not per day, but it removes road closures, weather, and safety risk, and it makes every take repeatable, which on a complex sequence is usually the deciding factor.
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