Star Wars

Dykstraflex camera

Dykstraflex: Preparing to Service the Camera that Shot the original Star Wars Trilogy

May 26, 2022 / Cameras, Restoration

It’s a little late for Star Wars Day, but we wanted to share this latest project in anticipation of the premiere of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” tomorrow. Previously, in 2019, I completed a major restoration of the Dykstraflex camera crane for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The restored Dykstraflex was prominently displayed at the …

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The D-Flex at Galatic Innovations

September 27, 2021 / Restoration

The Dykstra-Flex made its first public reappearance at the Academy Science and Technology Council’s Galactic Innovations event last night after decades in storage. I am thrilled to have been instrumental in bringing this amazing piece of equipment back to life. My thanks to Joe Di Gennaro, Gene Kozicki, Joe Lewis, and Miles Lewis for their …

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The Dykstra-Flex camera crane reassembled at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Dykstra-Flex Has Left the Building

September 27, 2021 / Restoration

The Dykstra-Flex has left the building! Yesterday the restored Trojan head was brought back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be reinstalled on the Dykstra-Flex crane. After much struggle, all went well and everything ran successfully.

It Moves!

September 24, 2021 / Restoration

It moves once more! The Dykstra-Flex pan, tilt, and roll device, referred to as the Trojan helmet, has been restored to working condition. We are preparing to reattach it to the main camera mover later this week and will have a complete, working Dykstra-Flex in a few day if all goes well.

Dykstra-Flex Restoration Continues

September 24, 2021 / Restoration

Restoration work continues on the Dykstra-Flex. Drive components for the pan and tilt axes on the Trojan helmet pan tilt head have been restored and we are currently recreating the missing parts for the roll axis. Getting close to bringing all of the pieces of this project back together!

Project: Restoring the Dykstra-Flex

September 24, 2021 / Restoration

We have been involved in an ongoing restoration project for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to bring back to life the Dykstra-Flex motion control camera system. The Dykstra-Flex was the ground breaking camera system used to create the memorable special visual effects seen the in original Star Wars trilogy, along with many …

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