Commercial Construction Time-Lapse Workflow

Electric Films provides premium time-lapse and site security services specifically tailored for Sydney's construction sector. Led by award-winning cinematographer Graeme Beck, our approach goes far beyond setting up a camera and walking away.

Looking up at glass wall skyscraper surrounded by green trees.

1. Site Scouting & Rapid Deployment

Upon commissioning, we scout locations and photograph potential camera positions from nearby street poles and adjacent buildings for review. We can get a camera up and running within a day or two from a street pole or pit edge. We handle updating our permits with local councils or power authorities, and manage the logistics of securing non-destructive mounts with building managers.

Tower crane operating on the rooftop of a high-rise construction site.

2. Custom Mounting Solutions

Attaching time-lapse cameras to rooftops, scaffolding, cranes, and our custom poles is our specialty. Our custom-built, rugged, solar or battery-powered time-lapse cameras are designed to capture ultra-high-resolution 5.2K (45MP) photographs every five minutes, 24/7.

Workers pouring a large concrete slab during the day.

3. Active Monitoring & Camera Relocation

We don't just leave our cameras stationary either. We actively monitor their output and relocate them when a better angle arises as your build progresses. This avoids repetitive, monotonous documentation from a single vantage point and guarantees a dynamic, highly engaging monthly or final cinematic video. We visit construction sites on a monthly basis to clean the lens and check the equipment, and relocate the cameras when a better angle arises.

Detailed view of construction workers managing a concrete pour on site.

4. Premium Deliverables & Security

We deliver reliable project documentation and comprehensive site security. Shooting in ultra-high 5.2K resolution allows for lossless zooming, while live mobile feeds keep you connected to your site from anywhere. Alongside 4K monthly progress videos, we provide high-resolution final videos engineered for real estate marketing, cinematic completion films, and massive glass wall prints.

5. Drone Cinematography

Roof top garden on an apartment complex.

Complement your time-lapse with dynamic aerial cinematography. Our fully certified commercial drone operations provide regular flyovers to track structural progress, roof installations, and broader site views. Delivered in stunning 4K, these aerial assets seamlessly integrate into your monthly progress reports and final project showcase films.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are your time-lapse cameras maintained?

All cameras are monitored via a cellular link daily and we perform regular monthly physical checks where lenses are cleaned and systems checked. If a better camera position is available, we move the camera.

What happens if a camera gets bumped?

To correct minor movement, we stabilise the footage in Adobe After Effects. A bump of up to 20% of the frame size requires using a corner pin filter to align the footage and match the shots together. Larger movements require the camera to be repositioned.

You often attach a camera to scaffolding or a crane; how do you get the wobble out?

As these platforms offer a superior viewpoint, they are frequently utilised. For regular monthly updates, we run the footage through Adobe After Effect's stabilisation program. Superior results can be obtained by pre-editing the footage to remove the frames with the largest movement.

Can your clients access the camera?

Yes. We can provide a live feed to your mobile device and can also upload shots in real time to our computers or the client's computer if desired.

What time intervals do you shoot?

We tailor the shooting interval to the pace and complexity of your project. For long-term construction builds spanning several months, we typically capture frames every 10 minutes. As your construction project nears completion, we shorten the interval to 5 minutes to capture dramatic day-to-night transitions.

Other time-lapse projects can be as little as every 30 seconds on projects over just a day or two.

Do you shoot video and stills as well as time-lapse?

Yes. We offer an extensive service starting from scriptwriting.