Vehicle rig
A picture-car driven from a roof-mounted pod by a precision driver while the actor sits inside, free to perform without operating the controls.
Mechanism
A pod-car (also "buggy" or "biscuit rig") moves the driving controls from the cab of the picture-car to a steel pod welded to the roof. The pod contains a full driver's station — wheel, pedals, gearshift, instrumentation — operated by a precision stunt driver. The pod's steering and throttle are mechanically linked through the roof to the original controls; modern rigs use electronic drive-by-wire actuators on the pedals so the precision driver has the same feel as if seated in the cab. The camera sees only the actor through the windshield, with the pod removed in post-production or shot from below the roofline. The actor performs the entire scene — dialogue, reactions, looking out the window — without operating the vehicle.
Safety
The pod position is calibrated so the actor's sightlines to camera don't show pod hardware reflection in the windshield. Two-way intercom between actor and precision driver allows real-time abort. The picture-car retains its original braking system as a redundant safety, operable by the actor in case the pod-driver loses control. Pod-cars increase the vehicle's centre of gravity by 18–24 inches; chase choreography is rehearsed with this in mind to avoid roll-over in cornering.
Governed by
Variants
No pod — the picture-car is towed by a camera car with the actor in the driver seat reacting to the choreography. Lower budget, less dynamic motion.
Camera-car-mounted gyro-stabilised crane that follows the picture-car at speed — see russian-arm entry.
References
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