Glidecam 4000 Pro Test

Mickey Munday said:
at what point did i ever say i had a glidecam? we use a steadicam with the full setup on our shoots. what are you hoping to see by comparing video footage of a person who knows how to use the equipment versus your test footage using a completely different setup without a vest and from which you're still learning?

again, as mentioned above, there's nothing wrong with the glidecam - it's the user.
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See the problem is, he thinks his skill/technique/result IS good.



Brandon. There is no need for you to be so defensive. It's not like we're saying: "You suck, return the glide cam to the store." If you are taking it that way, well it's wrong. All we want you to know is that:

a) You need more practice
b) Your set up is probably not balanced correctly so try to balance it again
c) The attitude you have shown in your responses will quickly bring you a bad name in your community

That is all.
 
I just want to know why no one can submit any work they have shot with the Glidecam? Thats all I am asking at this point...
 
I just want to know why no one can submit any work they have shot with the Glidecam?
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i would guess that the reasoning is two-fold:

- id imagine many folks here who use stabilizers use steadicam products rather than glidecam
- people are busy working and dont dick around posting everything they do on vimeo and youtube
 
What is being posted here Brandon is that if you need sample footage, be resourceful and find it yourself.

There's vimeo and youtube.

Try at both places rather than asking question and waiting for an answer.
 
David S. said:
Brandon:

Perhaps a better approach is to introduce your video as you did, and then ask:

"How can I improve my technique?"

People would respond with suggestions.

But I agree that your responses to this and other posts are altogether too defensive.

Nobody is attacking you; they are observing what you shot, and based on their experience, offering their views.

You should welcome that, rather than resist it.
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Very, Very well put! I couldn't said that any better.
 
I want to see someones Glidecam 4000 work on this forum not some random person on youtube.
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why? you rarely listen to anything we tell you here anyway... maybe you'll hear more of what you want to hear on vimeo and youtube...
 
Hey Brandon,

First off, you got pretty upset when people told you that your work wasn't very good. I totally understand - I've gotten just as bad when people have called out my work from time to time. However, if you don't think the comments are positive, it's just best to let them roll off your back. Demanding footage from people doesn't make any friends, but asking how to improve might just! I know that a few years ago, somebody posted up asking how to operate their Glidecam 4000, and I ended up not only teaching him about it, but working for him as Steadicam op, and I'm still his friend to this day.

But, how about we put all that aside for now, and get back to the Glidecam. I do see some problems with your operating. It looks like you're gripping the center post of the sled quite tightly, as most people think they should do at first. That also means your sled is probably out of balance. I saw this video on DVXUser a while back, and I think it does a pretty good job of explaining how to set up the rig, and how to fly it. It's a little simplistic, but it does a good job for a beginner. I know you've got the 4000, not the 4000 HD, but the concepts are the same. You've just got less nice controls to work with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnhSOnL6rQs&feature=related Try out what it says in the video, see if you can convert it to your rig.

Watch the videos, read as much as you can on Glidecams (especially the manual!), practice, and come back here with a video. Most importantly, ask us some questions, and be prepared to hear some honest, yet helpful, responses. I know there are tons of people on here who use these things on a daily basis, and even some who make their living with Steadicams.

And, before you ask, I don't have footage from a Glidecam. However, I do Steadicam as one of my many freelance jobs, and I do have a nice little clip setup that you can see. It's not the best of work, but certainly not my worst. Click Here. Everything I did with that clip is totally achievable with a Glidecam 4000. In fact, there's very little difference in potential shots between a Glidecam and any professional rig - it's almost all in the operating.

I hope this helps you out, and do remember that we're all here to help.
 
tomthemacman said:
Hey Brandon,

First off, you got pretty upset when people told you that your work wasn't very good. I totally understand - I've gotten just as bad when people have called out my work from time to time. However, if you don't think the comments are positive, it's just best to let them roll off your back. Demanding footage from people doesn't make any friends, but asking how to improve might just! I know that a few years ago, somebody posted up asking how to operate their Glidecam 4000, and I ended up not only teaching him about it, but working for him as Steadicam op, and I'm still his friend to this day.

But, how about we put all that aside for now, and get back to the Glidecam. I do see some problems with your operating. It looks like you're gripping the center post of the sled quite tightly, as most people think they should do at first. That also means your sled is probably out of balance. I saw this video on DVXUser a while back, and I think it does a pretty good job of explaining how to set up the rig, and how to fly it. It's a little simplistic, but it does a good job for a beginner. I know you've got the 4000, not the 4000 HD, but the concepts are the same. You've just got less nice controls to work with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnhSOnL6rQs&feature=related Try out what it says in the video, see if you can convert it to your rig.

Watch the videos, read as much as you can on Glidecams (especially the manual!), practice, and come back here with a video. Most importantly, ask us some questions, and be prepared to hear some honest, yet helpful, responses. I know there are tons of people on here who use these things on a daily basis, and even some who make their living with Steadicams.

And, before you ask, I don't have footage from a Glidecam. However, I do Steadicam as one of my many freelance jobs, and I do have a nice little clip setup that you can see. It's not the best of work, but certainly not my worst. Click Here. Everything I did with that clip is totally achievable with a Glidecam 4000. In fact, there's very little difference in potential shots between a Glidecam and any professional rig - it's almost all in the operating.

I hope this helps you out, and do remember that we're all here to help.
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Thanks. The Clip looks nice. Although I wish I did return the Glidecam 4000. I think I stripped the clamp & still cant get it balanced with my Canon T2i or HVX200a. I understand the concept of balancing it the same with any model. I should of got the HD series or just not bought one at all. lol.
 
Here is my 2c addition to what people have already said.

Once you have had the training and experience (which you get right after when you could have used it the most) using a steadicam is like driving a car. Once you learn, you can drive any car.....of course driving a BMW with its fine engineering and built in assist systems might be easier than driving a yugo with all its shortcomings.

Rigs work the same. I can use and produce great images from any stabilizer, Steadicam, MVK, Glidecam, GPI...etc (except the ones that are fundamentally designed incorrectly, like the Indian e-bay models).

The only difference is I have to work much much harder to produce the same images with a Glidecam than I do with a Steadicam...but I still can. So what rig you use a only one part of it.

The most important part is receiving training and putting in time to practice the techniques you learn.

A good place to learn more about using a steadicam is www.steadicamforum.com

Here is my Steadicam Reel:

http://vimeo.com/11788109
 
emretufekci said:
Here is my 2c addition to what people have already said.

Once you have had the training and experience (which you get right after when you could have used it the most) using a steadicam is like driving a car. Once you learn, you can drive any car.....of course driving a BMW with its fine engineering and built in assist systems might be easier than driving a yugo with all its shortcomings.

Rigs work the same. I can use and produce great images from any stabilizer, Steadicam, MVK, Glidecam, GPI...etc (except the ones that are fundamentally designed incorrectly, like the Indian e-bay models).

The only difference is I have to work much much harder to produce the same images with a Glidecam than I do with a Steadicam...but I still can. So what rig you use a only one part of it.

The most important part is receiving training and putting in time to practice the techniques you learn.

A good place to learn more about using a steadicam is www.steadicamforum.com

Here is my Steadicam Reel:

http://vimeo.com/11788109
Click to expand...


holy **** that is impressive. You used the GLIDECAM 4000 pro for that?
 
No. He said it was Stedicam.

Everyone here has given you good advice. Listen to it. Work on getting better with the Glidecam that you have and I'm sure you'll get better results. Your first video was a test, now go out an improve upon it.
 
i bought mine last week (glidecam 4000), i didnt know they had an HD version, but it really doesnt look like it's that big of a difference and not worth me packing it up and sending it back to be honest.

i've tested it around the house and got the general hang of it in a few hours. i'm going to need to really test it though, by doing shots i would actually use in my productions. i'll probably call one of my actors and see if i can borrow them for a quick test in a cool location. they love seeing themself on camera anyway.
 
Brandon,

As you know, I use the GlideCam 2000 Pro. It really does just take a lot of practice - a lot of elements go into not only setting up and balancing the unit but also using it. Like a lot of people said before me, certain motions/grips are better than others.

Try holding the center post with just three fingers: your thumb, your index, and middle fingers. Bear the rest of the weight on the gyroscope handle. Use those three fingers to guide the camera as you move, while holding it steady with the handle. Its a tough skill to master, and it definitely takes some practice.

As a response to your demo: were you walking or riding something? To be honest, I find it easier to simply roll on something if you're going for basic movement - a longboard would be best. That way there's less up and down jerking from your steps and you get a smooth one way movement. If you're going to be following somebody (like a BMX biker riding a line in the park) than you may want to try this.

(I do the same thing skiing):
http://www.vimeo.com/10048512

Good luck!
Milos
 
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