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www.postmagazine.com 8 POST JANUARY 2016 BITS & PIECES INTUITIVE AERIAL UNVEILS AERIGON MK II DRONE WOODLAND HILLS, CA — Intuitive Aerial (www. intuitiveaerial.com) recently introduced the Aerigon Mk II drone, with updates to the heavy-lifting pro UAV. Updates include the launch of Intuitive Aerial's 2.0 image stabilization technology for full size pro cinema cameras with industry standard lightweight zoom lenses such as the Angenieux Optimo 15-40 and Canon 15.5-47 with complete FIZ (focus, iris, zoom) support with the Intuitive Aerial Dominion controller. Aerigon Mk II has future support for dual and redundant flight controllers, the ability to switch between 2.4GHz and licensed band wireless transmission, and enhanced features such as ground power and industrial grade battery connectors. Ae- rigon Mk II empowers filmmakers to take advantage of the creativity of aerial cinematography without sacrificing image quality. "For professional filmmakers and broadcasters wishing to capture stable imagery, the Aerigon was already the industry's leading — the only — profes- sional UAV on the market," says Eric Bergez, VP at Intuitive Aerial Inc. "With improvements that take flight control, camera operation and image stabili- zation to the next level, Aerigon Mk II solidifies its place as the go-to production aerial platform." Aerigon has been used on feature films, including Spectre and Avengers: Age of Ultron, documentary films such as We Are Blood, and shows for BBC Natural World and National Geographic Wild. Intuitive Aerial's Dominion controller commu- nicates with the Aerigon Mk II gimbal and camera system from as far away as 3,000 feet. Dominion can switch between a 2.4GHz frequency-hopping spread spectrum signal or a licensed band. Full control of camera and lens, including focus, iris, and zoom (FIZ), is via the five-inch high-resolution and sunlight-readable display. Dominion also provides en- hanced gimbal telemetry for monitoring performance and image stability. Intuitive Aerial redesigned the cranium of the helicopter to support dual flight control- lers. As well, Aerigon Mk II has support for switchable 2.4GHz and licensed band operation. "Having a dedicated licensed band will give pilots more assurance in crowded flight spaces like downtown LA," Bergez explains. Aerigon Mk II is able to maintain rock steady im- ages with today's most popular cinema lightweight zooms with pro cinema camera packages using Intuitive Aerial's new gimbal control algorithms and high-performance sensor technology. Given its cam- era/lens payload capacity of 20 pounds, this pro UAV has safely flown heavier production cameras, such as Red Dragon, Alexa Mini, Sony F55, Canon C300 MKII, and even the Phantom Flex4K, with heavier lenses, such as the Angenieux Optimo 15-40 mm zoom, Canon CN-E15.5-47 mm, Fujinon Alura 15.5-45mm, and Zeiss Master Anamorphic Primes. Hardware upgrades include the switch to side-mounted flight batteries, the addition of industrial grade battery connectors with support for battery identification, enhanced motor mounts, industrial grade arm connectors, and proprietary anti-spark technology. HOUSE CALL: Post's Marc Loftus stopped by The Molecule (www.themolecule.com) in NYC recently, where the studio was wrapping up a busy year that included work on more than 15K VFX shots for both film and television projects. The studio had just secured additional space at its Broadway location, where it employs 20 full-time staff and a dozen or so free- lancers. They also have an LA office. Re- cent TV credits include work on FX's The Americans, Starz's Flesh & Bone, HBO's Ballers, CBS's Limitless and Elementary, NBC's Shades of Blue and Hulu's The Path. The Molecule is also working on the up- coming films Money Monster and Barber- Shop: The Next Cut.