Helicopter Camera Stabilizer

B

buzne676

Member
Hi guys. I got my share of use with beautifull DVX and love it. Now the challenge I am facing is shooting aerial with it and having a minimum of shaking and even less than minimum money to expend on a Steadicam, (that by the way would not fit inside the helicopter). I have worked a couple of gadgets with bungies, springs, pvc etc, and they absorb some of the shaking, but sometimes is not enough.
Does anyone out there knows what to use for this type of shooting, that does not cost me my house, car and marriage?
Thanks in advance for your inputs.
 
Buzne676,
First off: HELICOPTERS ARE DANGEROUS! DON'T GO THERE!

Seecondly: Welcome to DVXuser! :)

Thirdly:
Back to the helicopter.
Does anyone out there knows what to use for this type of shooting, that does not cost me my house, car and marriage?
Click to expand...
..or your life.

Using helicopters for any film/video activeties is extremely dangerous. It's one of those things that if you need to ask, you really shouldn't be dooing it.

If you need arial shots, find another way. If they must be helicopter shots, then hire a profesional team. Period. It's just not worth the risk.


I get crap every time I give this advice. And I give it every single time soen asks abotu helicopters. I know it can be done 'safley', I know many peopel have done it time and time agin without toubrl. but i've also heard far too many horor stories of (exprienced, should know better) people beeing hurt and killied in helicopter acidents. You hear about film crews goign down in helicopters far too often. There are other way to get the shot or a shot that will work just as well. Don't risk it.


- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Buzne676,
First off: HELICOPTERS ARE DANGEROUS! DON'T GO THERE!

Seecondly: Welcome to DVXuser! :)

Thirdly:
Back to the helicopter.

..or your life.

Using helicopters for any film/video activeties is extremely dangerous. It's one of those things that if you need to ask, you really shouldn't be dooing it.

If you need arial shots, find another way. If they must be helicopter shots, then hire a profesional team. Period. It's just not worth the risk.


I get crap every time I give this advice. And I give it every single time soen asks abotu helicopters. I know it can be done 'safley', I know many peopel have done it time and time agin without toubrl. but i've also heard far too many horor stories of (exprienced, should know better) people beeing hurt and killied in helicopter acidents. You hear about film crews goign down in helicopters far too often. There are other way to get the shot or a shot that will work just as well. Don't risk it.


- Mikko
Click to expand...

I agree with this advise. I spent 5 years shooting from a helicopter and I have countless horror stories I could tell.....some of which include loss of expensive equipment and one almost loss of life. Best advise I can give you is to work with pilots who fly exclussively for film crews.....this is very very important! Your pilot really must have an understanding of the shooting process and what it takes to get the right shots. As for stabilzation.....a knowledgable pilot can help you with that.

Marlene
 
Thanks to mikkowilson as well as to marlenedegrood for your sincere concern. I really appreciate your words of wisdom in that matter, thanks. Also thanks to planetearth for his input. I'll start saving for one of those gyros. It will probably work wonders if I attach it to my lattest gadget. Thanks againg to all, and to all... good night.
=)
 
While the advice of Mikko and Marlene is extremely important, I also think going up in a helicopter SCARED is dangerous in and of itself. A nervous, jittery person in a helicopter can make it difficult for the pilot to concentrate on flying the aircraft. Safety should always be your number 1 concern, of course. However, its important to recognize that helicopters are not inherently dangerous (although being in the air is). Many who have experienced crashes have not only survived but literally walked away with minor injuries (see NYC Chopper4 Crash, as well as 2 separate helicopter crashes in the East River that I covered from another helicopter earlier this year.) If you are going to do this, make sure you know your pilot (And that he/she has a lot of hours flying that type of helicopter and has done film/video work before, with the equipment you will be using). Also, any pilot worth his salt will go over all the necessary safety precautions BEFORE you take flight. Pay close attention and you'll be fine.
-Ryan
 
I'll keep on thanking you all guys and galls for your concern about my safety, and my heli pilot, (the guy is very knowledgeable about aerial video and film since he often flies for the Discovery channel).
After watching the turmoil created for the word HELICOPTER in this thread, please disregard I ever said such thing.
I am only looking for a gadget that helps stabilize the camera, wether 300' above the ground (while on a H_______r, A______e, H_t A_r B____n, P__a C__e) or in a mini van at only 5' but shaking like heck.
I think the gyro may do the trick.
Thanks again
 
Haha, sounds like you have a good attitude about it. That Kenyon Gyro is the only thing like it that I've ever seen. Besides that, I think the only way to get smooth aerial footage would be with a FLIR Camera mounted on the nose of the chopper. Rental of one of those adds up REAL quick ($1000+ an hour). Did you check out that website? They do provide rentals. One week with the KS-4 is only $250 (Pales in comparison to $1950). And you can even put the cost of the rental towards the purchase price if you're going to be doing a lot of this stuff.

http://www.ken-lab.com/html/rentals.html

Hope that helps.
-Ryan
 
buzne676 said:
I'll keep on thanking you all guys and galls for your concern about my safety, and my heli pilot, (the guy is very knowledgeable about aerial video and film since he often flies for the Discovery channel).
After watching the turmoil created for the word HELICOPTER in this thread, please disregard I ever said such thing.
I am only looking for a gadget that helps stabilize the camera, wether 300' above the ground (while on a H_______r, A______e, H_t A_r B____n, P__a C__e) or in a mini van at only 5' but shaking like heck.
I think the gyro may do the trick.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

We just love and care about our fellow filmmakers.....OOOOXXXXX :)

Marlene
 
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