ok well my dad has recently bought himself a small plane, and he has asked me about shooting some footage from it. I know normally you would but some expensive housing and stabalizers for the outside of the plane, but since this is just for simple personal use thats a little more then he wants to pay. im just wondering if anyone has any suggestions how to get some decent results without a killer budget. I was personally thinking maybe using a glide cam with the back door open, and maybe getting a camera that shoots 60p so we can slow down the footage. Any thoughts on set up and equipment is appreciated
airial shots?
- Thread starter chrallyo
- Start date
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
Steadicam type stabilizers (including Glidecam) are unsuitable and dangerous for aerial work.
Your best bet for stabilisation is to buy or rent a gyro or two: http://www.ken-lab.com/
Oh and needless to say of course: Be careful! Don't fly in a way that you wouldn't if you weren't filming.
- Mikko
Your best bet for stabilisation is to buy or rent a gyro or two: http://www.ken-lab.com/
Oh and needless to say of course: Be careful! Don't fly in a way that you wouldn't if you weren't filming.
- Mikko
dlang
Well-known member
gyro works great.....be sure to rent the gyro that's good for 6.5 pounds or less for the Hvx.
You don't need a gyro to get a good shot
You don't need a gyro to get a good shot
I did a good bit of shooting out of a jump plane in texas last year. Like some of the other folks you've heard from, I thought I needed a gyro. Spoke to several cinematographers who told me I could get by without it, and they were right. You can get a very hgh-value image. You just have to be a little more cautious.
Don't shoot out a window. You need to take the door off the plane to do this. Most skydiving outfits will probably be happy to take you up before their weekend jumps. That's when the best light is anyhow. So, belt yourself in and shoot.
A monopod can help stabilize things a bit, but a lot of the quality depends on your pilot. Before you go up, plot out the flight plan, and aim for long STRAIGHT moves. It's going to be very hard for you to get a steady shot when the plane is banking. Keep the camera rolling WIDE for a minimum of 30 to 40 seconds, then go in for a tighter shot.
Best of luck.
You don't need a gyro to get a good shot
I did a good bit of shooting out of a jump plane in texas last year. Like some of the other folks you've heard from, I thought I needed a gyro. Spoke to several cinematographers who told me I could get by without it, and they were right. You can get a very hgh-value image. You just have to be a little more cautious.
Don't shoot out a window. You need to take the door off the plane to do this. Most skydiving outfits will probably be happy to take you up before their weekend jumps. That's when the best light is anyhow. So, belt yourself in and shoot.
A monopod can help stabilize things a bit, but a lot of the quality depends on your pilot. Before you go up, plot out the flight plan, and aim for long STRAIGHT moves. It's going to be very hard for you to get a steady shot when the plane is banking. Keep the camera rolling WIDE for a minimum of 30 to 40 seconds, then go in for a tighter shot.
Best of luck.
retrofilms
Member
Lance Weiler had some aerial shots in his DVX flick, Head Trauma. On the DVD, he talks about a custom rig he made out of an aluminum frame and some heavy duty rubber bands, mounted on an ultralight. The shots looked great.
Here's a still I snagged from the disc:
Total cost for him was $60 for the rig and a case of beer for the pilot.
Here's a still I snagged from the disc:
Total cost for him was $60 for the rig and a case of beer for the pilot.
hdimages.ca
Well-known member
have shot alot out of helicopter. i have a kenlab ks 8 gyro mounted on a custom shoulder bracket. shoot at 60 frames will slow any jiggles and the new fcp smoothcam is a great tool. have had some crazy times dodging 60 ft waves at jaws, spinning around the jesus statue in reo .always a great time. always want to try different setting but always forget the minute you take off. the vibration is alot more than what you would think.