About Hydra Camera Support Units

The Hydra Unit is a portable and collapsible camera support system for mounting all formats of camera upon, above or below the water line. It is designed for a single person construction and usage. Its quick set up means it is a cost and time effective production tool that will raise the image value of any production.

The Hydra Unit provides all production styles a means of accomplishing innovative and dynamic camera angles in water environments. It was designed to provide effective controlled camera operation and manoeuvrability in the water when:

An operator is out of his depth
Boats and pontoons are logistically impossible, i.e. pools or small rivers
In environmentally hostile water, i.e. Cold water - Strong currents - Dangerous or timid marine and wild life
Long-term surveillance is required. Wild life - sport - fishing
Budgets restrict the number of camera and additional support crew
Crews need to work longer in some water sets due to cold or deep water
Reduces fatigue of a camera operator and support crew in the water
Pool and tank shoots are time and space limited
Towed behind a boat or Jet Ski
Maintaining a level of water purification, in controlled water environments i.e. Spa’s and health clubs, Public pools.
Providing a discreet or safe vantage point in the water, previously considered too hazardous due to uncontrollable aspects of live sports and drama action
Use in shallow or deep water

One of the keys to the Hydra Unit’s* success is that it allows a camera to get up close to the subject and manoeuvre effortlessly.

Its unique ratchet system allows for increasing and decreasing of camera height, and positioning of the camera head above, upon and below the water line.

It can be despatched from a boat, shoreline, beach or pier. A single technician in the water can operate the unit and camera or it can be tethered or anchored in a fixed location.

The Hydra Unit is NOT necessarily an alternative to a fully loaded camera boat or pontoon, But what it does do is allow productions to capture the drama or unfolding event in a cost and time effective manner that may otherwise have compromised the coverage or forgone the creative imagery and scene sequencing required by the script or unfolding storyline.

Patent GB 2433054 approved, International pending.