Mars Insights｜How MonkeyRent is Making Real-Time VFX and Auto Camera Tracking Accessible to Filmmakers Across Germany

To meet the rising demand for real-time VFX, monkeyRent has expanded its inventory to include the VIVE Mars CamTrack, a leading-edge AI camera tracking system. This portable and user-friendly solution is ideal for filmmakers engaged in interviews, films, and commercials seeking high-quality visual effects software. Clients frequently rent the system for periods ranging from one to six weeks, often in conjunction with lighting VFX, grip, or other essential film equipment.

Founded by Jan Kocovski 12 years ago, MonkeyRent stands as a top-tier rental service in Germany, specializing in film, photography, and events. The company is known for offering dependable film gear rental to support indie films, music videos, and commercial productions. With over 25 years of expertise in advertising photography, it consistently delivers tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of modern media production.

“We were looking for a solution that was easy to integrate, highly portable, and affordable enough to rent out at a daily rate.”

MonkeyRent offers flexible pickup and shipping across Germany for virtual production solutions and has recently expanded its inventory with a second VIVE MARS CamTrack, and plans to integrate the system permanently into its rental studio. This addition aims to create a comprehensive solution for real-time VFX, ensuring it continues to be a trusted partner for creators seeking reliable, cutting-edge tools for their film media projects.

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Jan Kocovski Shares Insights About MonkeyRent and Its Vision

🚀 VIVE Mars: What prompted your decision to integrate VIVE Mars into MonkeyRent’s inventory, and what makes it stand out compared to other camera tracking solutions?

MonkeyRent: We were looking for a solution that was easy to integrate, highly portable, and affordable enough to rent out at a daily rate. For a long time, we had improvised solutions that unfortunately required a significant amount of technical support from our side for rental customers.

"Most clients in the indie film sector or music production industry need solutions that are relatively simple to implement and run reliably. That’s why we were all the more thrilled when VIVE Mars came along."

🚀 VIVE Mars: What types of clients are renting VIVE Mars, and for what purposes? How long do they typically rent it for, and do they pick it up from your location in Germany or have it shipped?

MonkeyRent: Typically, our customers interested in VIVE Mars CamTrack come from the indie film sector and mature film productions, working on projects like talking head interviews, smaller commercials, or music videos. Gradually, production companies are becoming larger as well. Recently, several advertising campaigns have been shot using our system.

The rental durations vary widely, but usually, we're talking about at least one week. The longest rental period so far was about six weeks. Most of the time, the equipment is picked up directly from us, as in the vast majority of cases, customers also rent lighting, grip, or camera equipment along with it.

Lighting technology is particularly important for VFX and virtual production scenarios. We are working closely with our partner, Kino Flo Lighting Systems, whose new Mimik fixtures provide the missing link for easily creating realistic scenes. However, we also ship the system across Germany, and by now, it has been used multiple times in nearly every major city in the country.

🚀 VIVE Mars: With your experience in photography and media production, how do you see camera tracking tools like VIVE Mars benefiting both your work in your production company and your client’s projects in the future?

"For our clients, especially those in indie filmmaking, music video production, and smaller commercial shoots, tools like VIVE Mars CamTrack democratize access to high-end technology. They offer reliable, easy-to-implement solutions that eliminate the complexity traditionally associated with camera tracking systems."

MonkeyRent: By reducing the need for extensive technical support and enabling smoother setups, these tools empower our clients to focus on their creative visions while maintaining a professional production standard.

Looking ahead, we anticipate that such tools will continue to evolve, becoming even more compact, versatile, and cost-effective. This will allow us to serve a broader range of projects, including larger-scale campaigns and productions, without compromising on efficiency or quality.

"In addition, the portability of systems like VIVE Mars CamTrack means we can continue to expand our reach, supporting productions across Germany and beyond, providing the flexibility that modern media creators increasingly demand."

🚀 VIVE Mars: Noting that you purchased a second VIVE Mars CamTrack, are you seeing a growing demand for Real-time VFX in your area?

MonkeyRent: Of course, we see strong growth in this area. That’s why, in addition to VIVE Mars CamTrack, we also offer PC systems and other value-added services. We firmly believe in the potential of this technology, and we plan to permanently integrate one of these systems into our rental studio within the next 6–12 months. This will allow us to provide our clients with a comprehensive solution for virtual production with minimal effort, further expanding the range of services we can offer. Not only for external projects but also in our rental studio.

🚀 VIVE Mars: How important is a simplified, all-in-one solution for your clients’ rental experience?

MonkeyRent: Yes, a comprehensive one-stop-shop solution that is less prone to requiring support would be an ideal solution. Currently, the main cost drivers in rentals stem from the fact that the system consists of many individual components. Simplifying this setup would certainly help. It would be even better if the cable connections used locking cables to eliminate such errors during production.

Film schools and universities are already making Mars CamTrack part of their virtual production curriculum—why not you? With major updates coming soon, it’s never been easier to teach virtual production. Contact mars-partnership@vive.com with your EDU email to see what’s possible.

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