experience with dolly tracks getting into the picture?

Did a similar interior shot with a 20' crane/boom arm. The frame started with the tracks just below the frame line and was able to dolly in with precise motion control. It was a solid jib to handle 35mm camera, but even with a lighter boom and the dvx100 - 40 feet seems impossible with a boom. What about (if it's a playground) a kid or 2 passes the frame to create a wipe and invisible cut point. This way you can lay track in sections, yet still apear as one shot. Or - if the shot is to reveal jungle gym (or what ever), what about a skateboard dolly on track, camera on the matt, shoot upwards to reveal jungle gym, slowly tilt down to reveal talent as you pass through objects of playground and end on low-angle on talent.
 
You'd have to have motion-control to do the foreground pass wipe scenario, but that is a solid suggestion.

Another idea: excavate a channel for the dolly to sit into - just wide enough so that the sides aren't against the ties. Have a large tarp or several smaller sections of tarp covered with the same wood chips just out of frame and slide it (them) into place as you pull back. Excavating the track to below ground level eliminates a bulge under the tarp.

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OK. Another idea. Don't use a tracked dolly. Use a regular/doorway dolly and a roll of linoleum wide enough for the wheels. Have someone unroll the roll as you push the dolly forward.

You'll need to prep the ground first, though, I think. The linoleum will take care of the irregularities of the woodchips, but it won't help much on little "hills" and "valleys" lying underneath.

Dan
 
Owen said:
Think outisde the box. Keep the camera still and instead MOVE THE PLAYGROUND!
Click to expand...

When I was a small child I used to think that when cars drove they didn't actually go anywhere, but rather their tires made the earth rotate under the vehicle. :shocked:
 
From the way you describe the shot it seems like you shouldnt be having to much of a problem seeing the tracks. If you are going low angle just attempt to make sure your frame is tilted high enough to not see the tracks.

Or like others have said use a camera boom, swing 90 degrees out from the dolly, this will allow you motion up and down smoothly, as well as keep your tracks out of the shot for longer, you can also plan a slight move in the shot where you pan slightly away from the tracks, adjusting your cranes angle so you keep your character in the center of the frame.

Also consider if you plan to crop for widescreen or not. If you do you have a bit more room of play in the frame for the tracks. Also keep in mind that if you have people messing with the tracks during the shot its going to shake the dolly which will shake the camera which will shake (if you have one) a crane, and by the end that shake can go from small to pretty big in the lense.

As a note I would also consider breaking the shot up... 40 feet of walking in one shot is going to get boring, no matter how much action there is in the scene or how beautiful it is, especially if your character has to climb over obstacles.
 
Don't work against the landscape work with it. This shot should be a steadicam shot with the camera mounted low. Practice the movement/blocking/rack focusing and execute the shot. Much easier than dolly, crane or moving the earth.
 
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