Glidecam Suggestions?

Jordan Scott Price

Jordan Scott Price

Veteran
I am operating a 7D for a shoot this weekend (and for the next several weekends), and I am going to the rental house with the director tomorrow to look at what they have to offer. So I wanted to see if anyone has recommendations - brands/types - or general words of caution on what to look out for. This will be my first time using one.

Thanks.
 
If you have to shoot this weekend: I'd recommend looking for a rig that comes with an operator.

It takes a long time to become proficient in Steadicam (or the knock-offs...) operating. Even for the little ones.

- Mikko
 
I own a glidecam and I second that on what mikkowislon said about the operator. You're gonna shoot yourself in the foot if you try to just rent a glidecam and shoot.

Well actually you'd be able to get by but your shots won't be top notch. If you are going to spend money on renting you'll blow that money on the operation of the glidecam. But we're all asuming you have not prior experience with it. If you do then my apologies.

Also, never ever run with a glidecam or stedicam. They weren't made for that. You can seriously hurt your back!
 
mikkowilson said:
If you have to shoot this weekend: I'd recommend looking for a rig that comes with an operator.

It takes a long time to become proficient in Steadicam (or the knock-offs...) operating. Even for the little ones.

- Mikko
Click to expand...

True. I have a glidecam hd200 for my t2i, and It has taken me a while to learn how to use it. I still haven't been able to perfectly balance it. :/
 
draven4 said:
Also, never ever run with a glidecam or stedicam. They weren't made for that. You can seriously hurt your back!
Click to expand...
You can run just fine with a Steadicam; however it is risky - and you can hurt a lot more than your back if you fall. It's not something recommended for novice operators. One you know how to run with a Steadicam, it can be done safely in a lot of circumstances.

- Mikko
 
You can run but I guess what I'm saying is at a very high speed of running. Not saying a little sprint or jog. Anyway keep up highspeed running and you will hurt your back. That's why they use the stick cam on big budgets when running. See behind the scenes of Terminator 2 (in the mental institution) and you will know.
 
"Shakycam" (one of the common terms for the camera on a stick) is almost always an aesthetic choice. It provides for a shakier look (hence the name) which can be used to convey a more frantic feel to the scene. That would be right in line with T2.

Full speed running with Steadicam is also a perfectly viable tool that is often used. - Though often the Steadicam is mounted to a vehicular of some sort if possible, because (as Garrett says); why run if you can ride?

Take a look at some of the shots on: http://www.steadishots.org/
A lot of them are definitely very slow precise shots (harder to do well, so operators prefer to show them off :) ), but there are some good high speed shots in there too.

Both vehicle mounted and running of course in this: http://www.steadishots.org/shots_detail.cfm?shotID=76
Here's some running Steadicam from T2, actually: http://www.steadishots.org/shots_detail.cfm?shotID=92
This one has some fast sprints in it (plus is an amazing shot): http://www.steadishots.org/shots_detail.cfm?shotID=58
And it doesn't get much faster than this: http://www.steadishots.org/shots_detail.cfm?shotID=249 :laugh:

- Mikko
 
Alright alright. I guess the 7d doesn't weigh much anyway. What I should have said is make sure you run properly and are trained properly because if you do it wrong you will mess up your back. That's what I meant. Now if you guys go and tell all the other untrained people out there to run with a glidecam they will screw up their backs.

Actually I was talking about a Glidecam not a stedicam. So it might be that the Glidecam's put the weight in the proper area of the body compared to Stedicams. So I guess I can't speak for Stedicams.
 
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