How to film from POV

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blbennett

New member
I'm directing a short film (4-5 min) that is in first-person entriely and one long shot. I have a canon gl2 and need to mount it in some fashion simply and on the cheap that would let me have use of both of my hands. Would the best option be to just rent a helmet cam?

If anyone has encountered this scenario and worked it out please let me know. thanks :)
 
Why do you need to use both of your hands?

Aside from the mounting difficulties, framing the actors should require all of your focus anyway so using both of your hands for other things seems like you'll be sacrificing the cinematography drastically.
If it's so you can see the characters hands opening doors, just have someone right in front of you, or off to the side like is common for that type of scene.
 
Gohanto said:
Why do you need to use both of your hands?

Aside from the mounting difficulties, framing the actors should require all of your focus anyway so using both of your hands for other things seems like you'll be sacrificing the cinematography drastically.
If it's so you can see the characters hands opening doors, just have someone right in front of you, or off to the side like is common for that type of scene.
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The character gets stabbed and must look down at his own body, as well as fall backwards and maintain a still shot as a dead body. I think your right and I'll have to use someone else's hands. Can;t find the right kind of rig or design one that would work well enough.
 
Take a helmet and drill a tripod mount onto it. You should be able to take a part a cheap walmart tripod and mount the GL2 on there. Then put it on your actor's head and walk around behind him tilting the tripod as needed for framing. For the final death shot, unstrap the helmet and have the actor look down at himself. Then slide it off his head and move it to the angle you want.
 
jstunzi said:
Take a helmet and drill a tripod mount onto it. You should be able to take a part a cheap walmart tripod and mount the GL2 on there. Then put it on your actor's head and walk around behind him tilting the tripod as needed for framing. For the final death shot, unstrap the helmet and have the actor look down at himself. Then slide it off his head and move it to the angle you want.
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Wal-mart here I come, great idea! :dankk2:
 
Hope you have really strong neck muscles. You're gonna need 'em to hold that GL2 steady on the top of your head. :)

What's the final output medium for the film? If it's just a YouTube thing, consider this...

1. Get yourself a tiny Flip Video Ultra camcorder. ($129 most places.) http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_ultra.shtml
2. Get a football helmet and some rubber bands.
3. Rubber band the Flip onto the mouth guard (is that what it's called?) on the helmet.
4. ACTION!

You can make all necessary exposure and color adjustments in post.

That cam is so small, you might even be able to strap it over one lens on a pair of sunglasses. Or tuck it into a sweatband around your head.

Just an idea....

Good luck!
 
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