As you probably know, at TimeLapseit, we specialize in filming construction projects—especially those that document building progress over time. But this time, we want to share something a little different. The time-lapse video you’ll find linked here (and at the end of the article) doesn’t focus on traditional construction. Instead, it captures a unique logistics and assembly process.
And for us? It was a challenge we truly enjoyed. The final result shows just how versatile professional time-lapse video can be.
Size Does Matter
Caterpillar is a legendary American manufacturer that’s been around for over a century, specializing in agricultural and heavy-duty engineering vehicles. In certain categories, they’re considered the undisputed leader, producing machines with unmatched power and capacity.
Take their 300-ton capacity dump trucks, for example.
Without Caterpillar’s equipment, the world of real estate and infrastructure would look very different. The only catch? These machines are massive, so large that they can’t be transported through regular road systems. The solution: set up a logistics hub near the project site and assemble them there from the ground up.
Recently, a major infrastructure operation required ultra-high-capacity trucks. At a dedicated logistics center built just for this purpose, three Caterpillar mega trucks were assembled over the course of 43 days.
And yes—we were there, documenting every step with our time-lapse cameras.
Unique Challenges in Time-lapse Filming
As you can imagine, documenting a logistics project is very different from filming a typical construction site. First off, it’s faster. In the case of Caterpillar, the entire shoot took just 43 days, whereas a construction time-lapse might span a year or more. That means more frequent image captures and faster shooting intervals.
Second, the center of activity doesn’t stay in one place. Unlike a static building site with a single focal point—concrete, rebar, and scaffolding—a logistics project moves. It shifts across stations, and the action jumps between multiple locations.
You also see much more human activity. Workers, machines, and parts all take center stage—so the camera strategy has to be tighter, more dynamic, and continuously adjusted to capture key moments as they unfold.
Like Watching Transformers in Real Life
Caterpillar’s modular approach to equipment turned out to be a perfect fit for time-lapse. It’s like giant Lego—but with the magic of time-lapse speed, the process becomes truly captivating.
This project also required a unique editing style. We used drone shots, changing angles, and graphic overlays to make the story flow. Watching these massive machines being assembled feels almost cinematic, like the Transformers TV series, where gigantic robots suddenly morph into something completely new.
Without the time-lapse context, the site would look chaotic. But in the final video, it’s more like a mechanical ballet.
Want to see it in action?
📹 Watch the full video at the link below.
📧 Questions or curious about filming your own project?
Contact us:
Timelapseit11@gmail.com | +972-50-225-6866
