DIY: Skater

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Thanks for the reply.

I also notice that not always the same speed movement of the camera will add more feeling like music. Also slow movement seems better than fast movement. What do you think?

Regards
Leigh

Barry_S said:
Here's my crackpot theory of why a curved dolly shot can look better. :laugh:

1) The transformation of perspective in the scene is more complex and can be more interesting. When you have near and far elements in the shot, it gives a more complex parallax shift as the camera moves.

2) The more complex parallax shift is better at revealing the three-dimensionality of a scene, thus better approximating a human's binocular vision. Parallax is an important element that contributes to depth perception.

3) The complexity of the move better approximates a person's view moving through a scene. How often do you walk and look in exactly straight lines?
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Moving a camera gives your brain distance cues, so it's able to figure out the 3D-ality (just made that word up) of the scene. A curved track (because you're getting coordinated X and Y movement) gives your brain more information to work with.
 
tbanucci said:
OliS has posted direct links in this thread if you read through the whole post.
Click to expand...

It is not the video content I was talking about (I can access that just fine)- but rather the downloads page. You can download the calculator as a palm program and an excel sheet. These links seem not to work and I was wondering if it was just me.
 
I got mine from Wal Mart - $20 for an 8 Pack w/ Bearings. U probably can't get any cheaper. and hey, brands really don't matter, we're talking about rollerblade wheels here. better and smoother than any other type of usually expensive wheels u see at hardware stores. I used em for my DIY Dollie w/ tracks... they work great. All i found when looking for RB Wheels, is that they're WAY OVERPRICED b/c of the cost of finding bearings, which are also expensive. Kill 2 birds w/ one stone, and check out walmart. Sporting goods.
 
Mission Complete

Mission Complete

I just finished building my "mini-stealth" (home made skater) and it was reasonably simple and inexpesive (less than $100 including tools).

I will am including some pics and if anyone would like more information, let me know.

skate1.jpg


skate2.jpg
 
Good start qemart-

I don't think this will hold up though with smooth moves as the wheels will be moving all over like a shopping cart. Here is an idea to add to your design. If you take springs and put them in between the wheel hub and the MDF board, then before the washer on the other side of the board put two gearheads so that the wheels will lock into place. Then, if you want to adjust the wheel angles, you can simply push on the wheel and turn it to let it lock into place.

We also need to come up with how to mount the camera so that it remains low by the ground.

This is an awesome start though- good design! I will draw up what I am talking about for the locking mechanism.
 
Hmmmm... Very interesting...

Definitely need to lock the wheels somehow. From your design, it looks like they're locked by tightening the nuts on the carriage bolts. True?

What if you put a big hole in the middle, to serve as a base for the ball of your existing 75mm head? It looks like there'll be enough clearance underneath.
 
qemart said:
I just finished building my "mini-stealth" (home made skater) and it was reasonably simple and inexpesive (less than $100 including tools).

I will am including some pics and if anyone would like more information, let me know.

skate1.jpg


skate2.jpg
Click to expand...
hey, what program are you using to draw up the design?
Thanks.
 
Guys, read closely. I just finished BUILDING this. I designed, built, and tested this thing and it works like a charm. The wingnuts lock the wheels in the intended angle allowing for all types of shots. I also mounted a manfrotto head to the top so it has a quick release as well. I will post some photos and video clips later to demonstrate just how sweet this is. :-)

(also, the carriage bolt as secured to the the wood plates with a nut, metal washer and rubber washer making the whole thing very solid. Anyone want one? ;-) )

pic.jpg
 
The Dark said:
that trailer was really great!!!

i wonder, and this could be a stupid question. If i made something like that from scratch and used it on a production that got bought up, would i be sued?
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You could only be sued if you made one and then tried to sell or rent them. This thing is AMAZING. Wish I'd thought of it! The reason it's so expensive: I'm sure by the time they got through the patent process, they spent close to $100,000 just for that. Then there is R&D and manufacturing. Frankly, I'm surprised it doesn't cost more. It will take them years just to break even.

qemart: Sweet! Keep going with it. I think you'll have even greater success if you can find a way to get the camera to ride lower near the ground for a lower center of gravity. (Ooops, just noticed that tbanucci said the same thing. I've really got to start reading all the posts!)

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com
 
Nice job GEMART. I have a shoot this week that this will work great for -- on my way out to the shop as we speak. Thanks again for your innovative project.
 
Very interesting. It looks very promising. Could you try out some of the same move that they do in the promo for this and then post the clips for us to see?
I'm very interested in seeing the results.
 
spidey said:
wondering if i could mount any type of tripod head.
Click to expand...

You should be able to mount anything you want. After all it is just wood - all you have to do is buy the right size screw to connect it to ... (Most of them are 3/8" I believe - Check that first though)
 
yes, and if you drill a 75mm hole in the middle then use a router around the hole it will make a base for a ball head, which will keep you low.
 
Finished

Finished

I finished painting my little toy and added a few dials for reference (the dials were done in illustrator, printed on photo paper and glued in place). I am including pics and a (very) quick and dirty curve shot I did this morning in my sons room.

This thing is not meant to be nearly as precise as the skater, but for my purposes - it's perfect.

fin1.jpg


fin2.jpg


fin3.jpg


Here is the clip...

http://www.elevations.ca/skater/curve.mov

Lastly, the software I used for creating the design is called "Sketchup". Incredible software definitely worth checking out.
 
qemart-

Thanks for the clip, it looks great - lot o production value. Some more questions for you:

1. What are the dimentions of the triangle and circle pieces?

2. Would you be willing to post the illustrator file? (Why reinvent the wheel?)
 
I wasn't able to view it....I'm trying to check it out from work. What version of Quicktime are you using? I have 6.5.2 installed.
 
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