Focus w/steadycam

Re: Focus w/steadycam

In my experience, there is no toy or tool that is left out of the production budget on a "pro" shoot as you say...so absolutly, I would fully expect there to be all sorts of wireless video monitors for focus pullers, directors, producers, script supervisors, associate producers, the various bored assistants and the assistants to the assistants.

I didn't mean to imply that video assist is an unusual practice in steadicam...I only meant to say that it isn't "impossible" to shoot stedicam without video assist.

When I was taught steadicam operation (and I'm by no means a steadicam operator, past, present or future)... special emphasis was placed on keeping an accurate focal distance between the subject and the lens. Obviously this is never totally precise, but if you figure a focal depth of 4-10’…you can stay pretty accurate within a foot or two.

Again, not saying it's the best way to do things, but when strapped for cash it's easy to get your shots with the right operator and AC.

Also, this is assuming that you're shooting choreographed shots. As soon as there's any significant variation or "play" to the sequence...the mark method will be essentially useless and you would indeed be required to have assist.

(of course, my opinion is that too many people use steadicam in place of handheld camera and don't rehearse and choreograph their shots.)

On a side note: as an operator…what’s your favorite steadicam sequence?
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

..i generally use the set distance rule, and set the focus, and then just stay at given distance. occasionally ive done focus pulls while operating, but its a bit like driving, and eating an overstuffed sloppy joe. its not easy ..but not impossible.
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

John, you're tiresome....."You'll be whining when I have you 86'd from this forum for being the minority member who just can't get along."...."Don't run smack to the Mods man.  Now that is a fact.", and rather unamusing.

J_Barnes, I think we're talking about similar things, but are somewhat crossed up.
When you say "special emphasis was placed on keeping an accurate focal distance between the subject and the lens", this is very true, but as an aid to your focus puller. If you vary too far from your "marks", the puller is more likely to have to search for the focus, with the expected results, take 19.
As far as favorite sequence or film, there is every Steadicam Op's bible...The Shining, but personally I prefer The Fugitive, the ultimate in non-intrusive Steadicam techniques, you won't know you're watching Steadi shots, unless you're looking, they just flow. There are also good sequencies in Halloween, Rocky and Marathon Man (I like the oldies).
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

[quote author=pookie link=board=news;num=1099262271;start=15#23 date=11/01/04 at 15:06:11]John, you're tiresome....."You'll be whining when I have you 86'd from this forum for being the minority member who just can't get along."...."Don't run smack to the Mods man.  Now that is a fact.", and rather unamusing. [/quote]

Pookie, you just don't get it.

tact n : Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending.  [syn: tactfulness] [ant: tactlessness]


EDIT: As a sidenote, the opening stedicam shot in "the mighty Quinn" is fantastic, as is the sequence in "bonfire of the vanities"
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

Now, Now, fella's. Can't we just get along?? Now I'm sorry I even started the topic.
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

Hey guys, chill out.

I am not a steadicam operator (past, present or future), but I know for fact that with practice, one can set focus quite accurately without actually seeing the picture. We are just too lazy these days to learn the skill, with monitors and stuff.

Having grown up behind the iron curtain back in the 70s, I didn't have the benefit of focusing through a ground glass viwefinder. My first (still) cameras were Soviet-made Smenas. Only an old-fashioned look-through viewfinder with a paralax that drove me nuts for shots closer than 6 feet. However, after a few years of using them, I'd hit the right focus pretty much all the time. That's where I also learned everything about DOF. Today's still cameras, with their "automagic everything", don't even include DOF scale markings on the lens. No wonder people have such hard time understanding DOF.

I think it's perfectly possible to have an AC to constantly judge the distance between a steadicam and the subject, and adjust focus with a remote controlled follow focus John was talking about. Given that steadicam shots use wider lenses anyway, I don't see why not.

I'd also like to question the framing vs. focus argument. I think that with a moving shot, the viewer inherently concentrates on what's the steadiest part of the picture - your subject moving through space. From my very subjective experience, I'd rather have a well framed main character who occasionally gets just outside of DOF, than one that gets his head bobbing in and out of the frame.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers! Jerry
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

I feel it's also important to say that the majority of us are not jockeying for position to see who's ultimately correct. In the course of debate, there are often too many absurd declarations of definitive truth expressed as law rather then opinion.

It's important to remember that we are discussing various ways to get something done. In filmmaking, there are very few correct and incorrect methods, opinions, and solutions. The process is too amorphous to be limited by such strict thought, and adopting definitive answers will sometimes come at the cost of creative or technical flexibility.

Obviously there are more and less efficient ways to do things, but its important to have all options in your mental toolkit so you’re prepared to adapt to whatever situation you’re presented with.

Is it preferred to pull focus for stedicam shots with video assist? Yes. Is it impossible to do without video assist? Absolutely not.

Being clear about what is possible and what is not becomes intensely important when a body of young filmmakers taps the collective knowledge of this forum as part of their education. Opinions are fine, and the majority of the time they’re understood to be such, but we owe it to the community to allow for alternate views and methods.

…that being said, you’re all wrong and I’m the only one that knows anything.
:P
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

One of the great things about this forum is the many personalities. It can be entertaining as well as informative. But after only a month or so of coming here, I have already begun to form prejudices about who's opinions I put more stock in. I realize that this can be a dangerous thing since I see only the tiniest glimpse of everyone's knowledge. But I do seek certain people's input on certain things; such as which mic works better when, or why I can't get my DVX to make better waffles. Some of you seem to have a great amount of general expertise, and some are more focused in your knowledge, but it seems that everyone has something to offer...even if it's just grin. Sometimes that's what I need more than anything else. So thanks.
 
Re: Focus w/steadycam

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=news;num=1099262271;start=15#29 date=11/02/04 at 11:12:33]But I do seek certain people's input on certain things; such as which mic works better when, or why I can't get my DVX to make better waffles.  [/quote]

Jim, you gotta get a DVX that flips over once you pour the batter in and close the lid. That way the waffles brown on boths sides and rise evenly...though I should warn you that ejecting them can sometimes be difficult.
 
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