Does Glidecam make dollys obsolete?
- Thread starter Indyreel
- Start date
No, but it is one of the big three tools for moving the camera. Between cranes and jibs, dolly, rail or wire systems and Steadicam, you can cover all the action.
Steadicam, in the hands of even the best operators, doesn't do exactly what a dolly or tracking shot does. Certainly not in a reliable and repeatable way. Steadi systems can get you up and down stairs and through complicated set-ups you'll never get on tracks or on a dolly of any kind. On an arm, you can quickly boom up and down for a quick jib effect.
The gloves come off when the camera goes on the sled and becomes free to dance through the action. Different tools evoke a different feeling and capture the scene in their own distict ways.
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Steadicam, in the hands of even the best operators, doesn't do exactly what a dolly or tracking shot does. Certainly not in a reliable and repeatable way. Steadi systems can get you up and down stairs and through complicated set-ups you'll never get on tracks or on a dolly of any kind. On an arm, you can quickly boom up and down for a quick jib effect.
The gloves come off when the camera goes on the sled and becomes free to dance through the action. Different tools evoke a different feeling and capture the scene in their own distict ways.
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JaviBUSA08
Well-known member
perfect explanation.
Ted Spencer
Veteran
One of the main things that's challenging with a steadicam compared to a dolly is stopping still. A dolly can do it easily, but a steadicam operator will always bob and weave to a greater or lesser extent when trying to "lock off" at the end (or beginning) of a shot. If a little hand-held style unevenness is acceptable for those parts of the shot, then a steadicam will be fine.
Also, a dolly can move though its path with ultimately greater smoothness than even the best steadicam ops can manage. Having said all that though, a steadicam (in the hands of a skilled operator) can do many things that might otherwise be done with a dolly, so yes, there is some overlap.
Also, a dolly can move though its path with ultimately greater smoothness than even the best steadicam ops can manage. Having said all that though, a steadicam (in the hands of a skilled operator) can do many things that might otherwise be done with a dolly, so yes, there is some overlap.
Also, a Steadycam cannot be used when you have a super large rig such as if you are needing to use a a super tele or a large zoom like a Cooke 24-290 t/2.8. Good luck flying that on a steadycam!
I personally love steadycams although once you have used a dolly such as a Fisher with a skilled grip at its helm you will realize that there is a place for both in this world and although there paths cross a bit they still both have there places.
I personally love steadycams although once you have used a dolly such as a Fisher with a skilled grip at its helm you will realize that there is a place for both in this world and although there paths cross a bit they still both have there places.
Phil Maker
Well-known member
Steadicams also are useless in very windy situations, where a dolly would be fine.