cable rigging

J

javierrafael

New member
Ok, so I've gone about 40 pages back and haven't come across anything that covers this. I'm wondering if anyone can give input on a fairly inexpensive way of making a "cable cam" similar to what you would imagine was used in this....

http://elekrep.com/index.php?page=teaser

I know it can't be that difficult but I've searched the internet for days and racked my brain every night while trying to sleep. I've come up with several ideas but certain issues make those ideas seem impractical. Issues like, slowing the camera down, aiming, controlling speed and so on. If anyone could help, I would really appreciate it.
 
Well if a couple of Finnish snowboarders could get one up and running on their own, there's gotta be some mysterious simplicity to making one. I have some ideas but like I said before, there's always a glich.
 
Pookie - put down the crackpipe for 5 seconds.

Ok so - HEY HEY! Put it down... DOWN POOKIE! DAMNIT... there... yah, just real easy... there ya go....

As I was saying - the one linked in Pookie's post is obviously very complex, in that it utilizes controls to the camera (zooming, panning, tilting) and it can be repeated, hence the "No it's not simple"

However, what would be simple is what the kids do in the video, which is just put the cam on a cable through some sort of attachement and just let the camera ride to the bottom, with somebody there to make sure it doesn't smash into anything. I could be wrong, but I didn't notice any panning or anything in the video, it looks like they just let it fly.

That's my 23 cents. ~
 
Uncontrolled freefall attached to a cable.

Good luck getting something in frame let alone stay in frame.


Monte, if it was simple, you'd have made one wouldn't you?
 
I didn't say it wouldn't be difficult, pookdoll, however, it doesn't seem that hard to get a working version that (with a little elbowgrease and planning) can produce a good shot.

As long as you make it so the camera faces a certain way and isn't swinging around (just put a lock on the part that slides down the cable so it doesnt twist and turn) and then attach a weight to the bottom, and adjust the slope of the wire to compensate for how fast you want it to go.

Obviously this isnt a perfect solution - and it wouldn't be good for situations where you have lots of paid people working on set or whatnot, or if it's a shot you cant do over 10 times till you get it right.

Tell me where I'm wrong, Pookles.
 
Pookie,

Perhaps i came across wrong in my original post, I'm not challenging anyone or trying to prove that there is some simple way of doing this. I was simpling hoping that maybe some input may turn up. I am a reasonably intelligent person(barely) so yes, I do understand the complexity of one that is capable of tilting, panning, etc. I guess what I am aiming to accomplish is just getting the poor man's version of this to function in a fairly simple/fairly controlled environment. I'm not sure if you are familiar with snowboarding but things usually take many many tries which works out nice for whoever is holding the camera because you can perfect the shot(hopefully) by the time the trick is landed. I could have certainly been more clear in my original post so here goes,

If I were to try and make the ghetto version of a fly cam, would anyone have any suggestions as to how to fasten the camera to the cable, what type of cable might work well, precautions to take, etc... any input is appreciated. thanks pookie.
 
If you work it out, be sure to put up the video so we can see how well the poor man's version works.

I'd just think make sure you have somebody at the other end to be able to stop the camera, but other than that, go nuts. Best of wishes
 
I'd use two parallel cables, have the camera hanging with a solid mount from it. And not just let it slide down the run...because it will speed up.

You'd need a pulley at each end, with a crank to turn one of them, running a third wire through the camera mount. And a geared crank, at that, if you want constant motion.

Better yet, a motorized system to pull the camera smoothly.

Or forget the third cable, and use a motorized system on the camera mount itself.

Basically, you're talking about a teeny tiny ski lift.

Not complicated in concept. But I'd really really really need one before I'd bother, since it's not the sort of thing I'd use very often.

On the other hand, it could also be used to send the wet laundry out into the backyard to dry during non-shooting times, so...not a complete waste of time and effort. :)
 
From watching that video, I bet they used a traditional zip line setup to film. A lot of snowboard/bike films use these to get some amazing shots. They usually get a nice stainless cable and they hang a guy from a paragliding harness in it, that way he is lying flat on his stomach making it easier to shoot. How they did it in an urban environment though, I don't know, which leads me to believe maybe they had a different setup. I bet it would be really hard though to get something to work remotely with a DIY approach to something like that. The easiest way, IMO would be to have an operator ride the cable with the camera. It takes some practice, but I have seen the results, and they can be really great.
 
Consulting a certified rigger would be a good place to start on building a cable-based camera system. Anytime you rig in a public venue - or any venue if you're smart - you'll utilize a professionally accredited rigger, keep your million-dollar general aggregate policy handy and pull all the necessary permits for your shoot.

I've done a fair amount of rigging, and my first impression would be that you wouldn't want to take something you built in your garage into a production environment without having it OSHA certified for its intended use, there's just too much liability attached - not that you're idemnified by having a cert.

This thing isn't a dolly that can be put together with some measure of reliability and result by a guy trained a day before. Like a SuperTechno, there is a significant level of risk in using gear of this nature, and you don't just build it and deploy it casually.

The system Pookie linked to is highly-refined, using proprietary parts manufactured to their specification. You won't build a 300' run system with a couple of Home Depot galvanized crosby clamps, a CD player motor and a bunch of clothesline cable.

The main point is, once you begin to build something of this scope and scale, you'll likely find that the commonly available parts and your level of engineering aren't up to the task, and that's when it becomes expensive.

Just my $.02.

e
 
I agree. And just for the record, when extreme sports videos utilize zip line setups, they usually take place in the woods, or on a ski slope away from the general public...
 
thanks a lot for the feed back fellas. im getting to work on building one (ghetto version of course). i'll post some of the shots i get in a week or 2 after some testing. I know it's not going to be easy, but I'll make it work(fingers crossed). Oh, and fortunately for us in the snowboard movie arena, things like OSHA and permits don't come in to play. Just police, security guards, and crazy old ladies that chase us around with umbrellas.

thanks again,

java
 
You should post this in the DIY section, there are enough maniacs who are not only going to build one, but probably improve all previous designs...
Damn, this baby could add some nice shots to my vids...
 
What about attaching some kind of pole to the bottom (with a relatively loose ball mount or something) to control the movement of the camera down the cable. Obviously this wouldn't work with those huge, sweeping snowboarding shots, but might be really helpful on a smaller scale. I imagine it'd be like a flying pushbroom pulley dolly.
-Ryan
 
PDX_DVX said:
From watching that video, I bet they used a traditional zip line setup to film. A lot of snowboard/bike films use these to get some amazing shots.
Click to expand...

I met a guy that worked on a snowboard film which used zip lines. The camera man was supsended from a harness, the line ran down hill, and another guy helped to control the speed via a spotting line. It's definitely an artform and takes a lot of practice.
 
The Collective figured this one out long ago... we are all in awe. Having a person strapped in is the way to go, from what I have heard.

-a
 
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