HVX + DVRigPro Any videos or tips on best use

[Holy Harry]

Got a DvRigPro a while back for my HVX, and set it up with a Varizoom Zoom/Focus/Iris remote, and man it's amazing to use.

Thing is... I'm using it the way I presume it should be used, but I haven't been able to find any examples online showing the best or intended way to use it, like for example the multirig has on it's website, or the CB-105 on it's site. I know Jarred has a review of it here, but I'm talking more tips and tricks. All I can find are a few photo's here and there, and that's about it.

For example - I'd like to be able to get some really smooth steadicam like shots. I can do it in a limited way, but I'd love to know if anyone has got it down to an art, and how they do it.

Thanks!

[Arrik]

You won't get smooth, steadicam-like shots with this... or with the multirig for that matter. It will certainly be better than handheld, but the support rod still transfers some movement to the cam.

I find they are more geared towards minimizing fatigue, and allowing very steady, static shots... as if locked down.

[Holy Harry]

Thanks Arrik. Yeah it's a great device for quickly getting into a busy situation, holding a steady shot for as long as you need, then getting back out. Just curious if there could be other ways of using it that I haven't thought of.

[GaryCT]

I've gotten good results with panning using this setup when I'm trying to follow the action. I just practiced rotating on my heal/toe and let my body follow through.

--gary

[Holy Harry]

Now that's what I'm talkin about!

I've been panning from the waist. I'm going to try that.

Thanks Gary!

[calchip]

We hired a new (experienced) videographer to help me out, and we have two DV-RIGs. My footage is almost always rock stable, while his was a little shaky.
When we looked at the differences in the way we work, I realized that my training as a bodyworker was unconsciously helping my videography with the DVRig.

Bodyworkers are trained to let all of the upper body movement (arms and hands) come from pivoting the upper torso using hips and legs. It's a very unnatural, awkward way of moving until you practice it and become used to it, but keeping your feet a little further apart than normal, and bending your knees a little, using the flexing or extension of your legs, rather than steps or upper body movements, will make your shots a lot more fluid. The muscles in your legs are (for most of us) bigger and stronger, and more adept at allowing the flowing movements while the muscles of the arms serve to stabilize the DVRig. It works a lot better than trying to use the upper arms to both stabilize and pan or move.

The other thing I do on shots of more than a few seconds is to find a way to brace my arm (and therefore the DVRig) on something... either crouch and brace on my knee, or a table, or even on my chest or stomach. I'm pretty steady just holding the DVRig with the brace, but I'm rock solid if I can find an additional brace for my arm.

Hope that helps.

[Holy Harry]

Excellent pointers cal - a great help!

Here's something else I've discovered in the meantime. I was talking to a cameraman for an Irish tv station recently and he swore that by practicing his T'ai Chi every morning it helped him to keep a lower and smoother centre of gravity when working his camera. Swore by it.