Camera Movement
A little bit of smooth movement can give your video that Hollywood look. It does require a little setup time and some practice but it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are a couple tricks my students have learned over the years.
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Music VideoThis music video was written and performed by one of my video foundations students. The video was shot and edited by a couple of the video production students. They used our homemade dolly and the monopod handheld technique throughout this project to give the shots that subtle movement seen in so many of the professionally produced music videos.
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Cheap Dollies
Wheel Chair: I got this used wheel chair from a Value Village for $40 and my students use it all the time both as a dolly and as a prop in their filmmaking.
Homemade Dolly: One of my hardcore filmmakers built this dolly out of plywood and roller blade wheels. The rails are just PVC pipe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x095qg1RJ_Y
Skateboard: For a low angle dolly shot a skateboard and a sandbag make a great dolly.
Homemade Dolly: One of my hardcore filmmakers built this dolly out of plywood and roller blade wheels. The rails are just PVC pipe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x095qg1RJ_Y
Skateboard: For a low angle dolly shot a skateboard and a sandbag make a great dolly.
Handheld
The Target Shooter with Z-Finder from Zacuto - Many of the students in my video production class like the look of handheld video. In order to get steady shots using a DSLR camera you need to increase the points of contact with your body. My students and I love the Z-Finder from Zacuto because it makes it much easier to get sharp focus and give you another point of contact. When you combine this with a simple rig like the Zacuto Target Shooter you get another point of contact.
Monopod: Another technique my students use is to connect a collapsed monopod and then tuck it into their body. See the picture on the top of the page.
Monopod: Another technique my students use is to connect a collapsed monopod and then tuck it into their body. See the picture on the top of the page.
Jib
Jib or crane shots can give your shot a unique perspective and some very dynamic movement. This 8 ft jib is pretty inexpensive. Plan on at least 10 minutes for two crew members to setup and another 10 for tear down. You will also need a 15-25 foot HDMI to Mini HDMI cable and some type of portable LCD monitor since you will not be able to see the cameras LCD.
Recommendation: 8 tf Jib ~$200 (without tripod or counter weights)
Recommendation: 8 tf Jib ~$200 (without tripod or counter weights)
Toy Drive CommercialHere is another example of our homemade dolly used on the opening tracking shot
of our Toy Drive commercial. |
TipsMove slowly: Sandbags on the plywood help to hold the tripod steady and give the entire setup the weight needed to create a steady movement.
Rail Stops: Sandbags on the ends of the rail keep you from rolling off the track. Team Work: Have one person push the dolly and another focused on framing the shot |