Case Study - Crane Operator

Credits:

 ProductionRega TV

Crane Operator – Jannis Newiadomsky

Crane Operations and Camera Work at RegaTV
 

During my time at RegaTV, I had the opportunity to work as both a crane operator and cameraman, using a 9-meter Pro-Aim Crane for the first time. The production featured a variety of shows — from live music performances to fashion walks and energetic dance pieces — which kept things dynamic and creatively engaging. It was also the crane’s first appearance on a RegaTV production, making it an exciting moment for both the crew and myself.

On the first day, I focused on familiarizing myself with the crane, keeping movements simple and controlled to avoid any disruptions or mistakes. My goal was to build a steady rhythm and get comfortable navigating the setup safely.

By the second day, I began exploring more expressive camera movements — experimenting with different angles, fluid transitions, and slow parallax shots.

On the third day, I started incorporating zoom into some of the shots, adding a new level of complexity. One particularly challenging and rewarding moment came during a live musical performance. I started with a wide shot of the performer and gradually pulled back over the audience while zooming out. The shot revealed the full scope of the stage and the energy of the crowd in one smooth, sweeping movement.

What made this especially difficult was the sensitivity of the joystick — zooming in reduces the margin for error, making every adjustment more delicate. Managing the crane’s movement while simultaneously controlling pan, tilt, and zoom required full concentration, especially in a live environment where precision matters and there’s little room for mistakes. It was a real test of coordination and focus.

I received very positive feedback from the RegaTV team. They were happy with the shots and also impressed with how well the new crane performed in its debut. I now feel much more confident in operating cranes and look forward to refining these skills even further on future productions.

This project gave me the space to gradually build up confidence, try new techniques, and learn through direct experience. From cautious first steps to executing multi-layered shots under pressure, the journey was incredibly valuable — and a lot of fun.

 

Crane Operations and Camera Work at RegaTV
 

During the 3 day production with RegaTV, I had the opportunity to work as both a crane operator and cameraman, using a 9-meter Proaim Crane for the first time. The production featured a variety of shows — from live music performances to fashion walks and energetic dance pieces — which kept things dynamic and creatively engaging. It was also the crane’s first appearance on a RegaTV production, making it an exciting moment for both the crew and myself.

On the first day, I focused on familiarizing myself with the crane, keeping movements simple and controlled to avoid any disruptions or mistakes. My goal was to build a steady rhythm and get comfortable navigating the setup safely.

 

By the second day, I began exploring more expressive camera movements — experimenting with different angles, fluid transitions, and slow parallax shots.

On the third day, I started incorporating zoom into some of the shots, adding a new level of complexity. One particularly challenging and rewarding moment came during a live musical performance. I started with a wide shot of the performer and gradually pulled back over the audience while zooming out. The shot revealed the full scope of the stage and the energy of the crowd in one smooth, sweeping movement.

 

What made this especially difficult was the sensitivity of the joystick — zooming in reduces the margin for error, making every adjustment more delicate. Managing the crane’s movement while simultaneously controlling pan, tilt, and zoom required full concentration, especially in a live environment where precision matters and there’s little room for mistakes. It was a real test of coordination and focus.

 

I received very positive feedback from the RegaTV team. They were happy with the shots and also impressed with how well the new crane performed in its debut. I now feel much more confident in operating cranes and look forward to refining these skills even further on future productions.

 

This project gave me the space to gradually build up confidence, try new techniques, and learn through direct experience. From cautious first steps to executing multi-layered shots under pressure, the journey was incredibly valuable — and a lot of fun.