How would you stabilize cam on flatbed?

[TimeKoder13]

Shooting a music video, someone's gonna loan us a flatbed for an around town shot in cold asz Boston. Don't know much about stabilizing cam for this. Anyone have any advice? Assuming I need some kind of spring supports for locking down tripod. Not big budget so we can't do it like the big boys. Subject will be sitting at a desk, this isn't a car shot. More like the "Summertime" vid from The Fresh Prince & Jazz days. Thanx.

 

[mikkowilson]

If the subject will be on board wiht the camera, then jsut amke sure that everything (including your actors and crew! Safty!) is tied down securly to the bed. Good strong bungge cords, rope, ratchet straps, are all your good friends for this gig. OIS will also help with any low vibrations you may get through the vehical.
Oh yeah, and get a smooth road!

If you are shooting off the bed to other subjects; hire a Steadicam operator.

- Mikko

 

[TimeKoder13]

Just found out we'll be in the Dorchester section of Boston. Hopefully the roads haven't gotten too potholey from all the snow and salt. It's been a mild Winter so far. Anyway, yeah I figured I'd get some repelling gear to strap everything down. Only expecting to do 5-10 mph anyway. SAFETY IS my biggest concern. Hopefully, it'll be 1 and done with a 2 shot. I may scrap the individual 1 shots if it seems dangerous, or fudge it by shooting them 1 at a time and mixing with the 2 shot. The talent wants to show off his hood, he's suppose to be confessing his sins to a priest with the whole world watching. May scrap shot all together, get a car mount and shoot them in a drop top. Thanx for the sugesstions.

 

[profnoxin]

Any sort of gyro-stabalizing item will help... If you have a steady cam, or a gyro-stab. head for your tripod... these will help to eliminate the shake. It also doesn't hurt if your truck has good shocks. Good luck.