New Steadicam Merlin Footage

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

Mod V3 New and Improved
Staff member
Shot this today in 30 minutes, edited in 10. Sp apart from capture and render time, was a 40 minute quick test, however this time I did put it together in a discernable sequence.

Please dont be picky about editing, as was done only as a Merlin test.

Learned another valuable lesson today, the Steadicam Merlin is a great tool, that doesn't like any breeze whatsoever. The instructional DVD does say just that, but you know how it is, have to see how far you can push anything.

Anyway, hope it helps someone.
http://www.scarlet-films.com/merlin4.wmv
 
For those of us who work alone -- no crew, helpers, interns, etc -- what would you do about wind? Just not use the Merlin that day?
 
Besides the wind problem you speak of, this seems like a great product (or maybe just a great operator :) ) Very smooth.
 
Very nice! Good time of day to shoot.

Did the wind cause some of the 'tilted' shots? Would additional weight correct that?

Also, have you tried a 'running' test?

Thanks for the video, it's nice to see the merlin in action. Good job.
 
Nice work

Nice work

You sure have a steady hand. It looked like it was on a tripod when you weren't moving. Thanks for shareing.
 
reckon how much weight have you got on the merlin? Any 35mm adapters, monitor, matte box etc or just the standard dvx?

Thanks for all your footage is great help when deciding whether to purchase one of these beauties
 
Now that's looking prety darn good. - Was that your 4th try or have you been practicing?

Leaving the kid alone jumped out at me too! :eek:

The first 1:14 That was tripod right?

The shot that started at 1:14 (first Merlin shot?) coming out of the car was very good, well kept hearoom and good timing on the boom up - as part of the action, not detached from it.

In general your headroom and framing is good. No real bad cutting anything off in any of the shots. A little more leadroom when crossing the paking lot would have been nice.

Horizon still needs work, definatly some rowboating in those shots. Not sure if it's the wind (most likly), your grip (also likly) or a little off vertical balance.

Also, off topic, not bad editing and a nice choice of music. :)

Thanks for posting all these clips ncje, dare we ask for more? Actually I, and I'm sure others, would love to see a picture of your rig set up.

- Mikko
 
powerdog said:
For those of us who work alone -- no crew, helpers, interns, etc -- what would you do about wind? Just not use the Merlin that day?
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You can use buildings as cover, but if its a shot you really want to look perfect thats out in the open then Id come back another day. Easier said than done, but you wont get your shot.

RobertE said:
Very nice! Good time of day to shoot.

Did the wind cause some of the 'tilted' shots? Would additional weight correct that?
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Yes the wind was causing me a lot of trouble and there wasnt a lot. I was getting a wind tunnel effect in some places. Additional weights would cause the Merlin to be too bottom heavy, its designed to be only JUST bottom heavy. Too much bottom weight would make it swing even more.

BenFarrel said:
reckon how much weight have you got on the merlin? Any 35mm adapters, monitor, matte box etc or just the standard dvx?
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This was shot with just standard DVX, nothing attached, sound recording channels both set at off.

mikkowilson said:
Also, off topic, not bad editing and a nice choice of music
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Heh I edited this in about five minutes, a quick colour correct a few cuts and done. The cc was only to bring the reds up a little suited the sunset though. The track is by BennyK a Japanese umm R&B group? used entirely without authorisation of course :S

mikkowilson said:
The first 1:14 That was tripod right?
Click to expand...

This clip was shot entirely with a Merlin. This is the 4th practice. I have spent in total about an additional 2 hours sitting at my desk, just picking it up, dropping different things onto my DVX and balancing/trimming to descrease set up time. Also of course when I do that I usually pan around the room. The Merlin is great for pan, very smooth and easier to time than a tripod I feel, just heavy to do simple pans with a merlin all the time. But this is the fourth time I have picked it up and moved around with it.

Doh I just rememebered also on that tape I shot some merlin footage in tha car on the way home but I didnt capture it...... damn Ill put that up when I get a chance... some good stuff.

Also thanks for all the positive comments... but its not me its the Merlin! I am not joking if I can get these results anyone can... but I feel I havent even mastered it 50% of its ability.
 
Zoinks !!!

Zoinks !!!

if the 1st 1 min 14 is "flying"...then i am officially astounded !!! and i will be adding a log in my "i was astounded today logbook"

the footage looks rock solid ,,totally amazing in the 1st 1min 14

the rest looks steadicammy and is excellent for a hand held..

well done mate!

cheers
 
mikkowilson said:
In normal "Flying mode"? I don't belive you. :huh:

- Mikko
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hmmm, what other mode is there? Collapsed for shoulder mount? I also thought the beginning was very very smooth, and for lack of following real motion, wondered if it was tripod. But I dont know enough about this stuff to ask such things. :) The footage looked great...and its funny how many of us mentioned the kid! (My daughter even said something like, "Helloooo...the kid....just sitting over there...alone.") :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
thartley said:
hmmm, what other mode is there? Collapsed for shoulder mount?
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Yup, there's "shoulder" and a sort of 'hyvbrid' mode where it's not folded but agains't your chest. - but it looks too smooth for both those.
Of course there is a "tripod adapter" so you could have the camera on a tripod using Merlin hardware, but I doub't that's what is beeing refered to. (Though that's what the shot eludes to)

I just hink it looks *too* good. - Though with no, wind, and a very sensitive touch (and a perfectly dynamically ballanced rig) the shot is definatly possible.

I sure as heck don't want to discount ncje. hell the shot looks great! I just want to know how he did it! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

You get yours yet thartley?

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
hell the shot looks great! I just want to know how he did it! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
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definitely some great shots!

mikkowilson said:
You get yours yet thartley?

- Mikko
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:furious3: sassafrassin*roommate*sassafrassasassin*kid* :kali: :violent5:

***soon***
 
OK OK I did use a little trick but only in the very first shot where the car pulls in. There was a post with an alloy piece sticking out about 2 feet, which gave the bottom of the merlin clear room to move on the arc in the shot. I balanced the merlin then placed the handle on it so I wasnt actually holding it. I used one hand to pan. Worked a treat dont you think?

The second shot with the car backing in was merlin. Sorry just wanted to add, without moving as in standing still with a well balanced merlin you can do amazing pans, much smoother than any tripod, especially if you have the option I used in the first shot.

One thing I wasnt entirely happy about on the Merlin. Yesterday I was switching quickly from Merlin to tripod so I mounted the merlin tripod plate to my tripod plate. However I noticed then that because the g-platz obviously isnt on the tripod there was a slight springyness on the dovetail when I was doing tripod pans.
 
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There we have it folks, right from the horse's mouth. Not all *hendheld* flying, but still flying never the less! I'm astounded. :thumbsup:

- Mikko
 
Actually I am going to build a prototype to test something out.

What I plan to do, is get some large wheels that offer plenty of smooth support for most terrain (obviously where there are downed trees / rocks I would fly anyway) and attach them to my dolly. I will then make a (sideways) U shaped bracket that mounts on the tripod head at the bottom and at the top has a pin that can fit snuggly into the merlin handle, thus allowing the Merlin ti sit on top and have free room to pivot below.

Whats the point? Well I want to make a dolly that doesnt require carting, laying and relaying tracks. With the merlin attached and the relatively large wheels, I should be able to get a smooth dolly on the fly (pardon the pun) on most outdoor surfaces. Anyway I am going to test it. The cost is minimal so no harm in trying, I may have to test a few alloy types and thickness so I can have a mild flex to the system as impact absorbant.
 
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First off congratulations in taking the leap of faith into the steadicam world.

Secondly, watch those horizons, made me feel a bit qweezy with all that rocking going on. Thirdly watch your head room, there was a lot of "bobbing" going on with one of the shots and some cropping of head room also. Remember the mantra "framing, framing, framing".

As Mikko said earlier your booming was perfect in every sense.

Overall not great but I have seen a lot worse, sorry that I have to disagree with all the other positive comments but pratcice, practice, practice and you WILL get there.

If you have any spare friends around when your testing, get them to carry a 4x4 to shelter you from the wind you'll be amazed at how well it works.

Regards

Rich Steel
Steadicam Owner/Operator

www.steadicams.com
 
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