HYPERCHARIOT - Hypercam Dolly Build

[Gary Sconce]

I have finally started on the Hyperchariot. I straightened the front wheel of a discarded wheelchair today and then started cutting stuff off the chair. I added 1" 90 degree angle iron to the front and the back for a sturdy floor plate later on. I cut out the cross beams and then removed the front to back sliding tubes. I took those tubes and used them for triangular trussing of the two sides at the base. I measured, cut and lowered the cross braces to the floor and re-welded them on for floor strength.

I am planning on lowering and re-attaching the push handles lower at the rear and then angle bracing the two sides to keep the center from front to back clear for the Hypercam sled to rise and fall over bumps.

I will be placing a removable rotating seat with shock absorber on the Hyperchariot for riding shots and will have removable risers that will extend up to a paded backpack style belt to hold the Hypercam operator in place while that person is standing. I will be removing the arm bars and then lowering through triangulation from the back push handles to the front floor but will be leaving the brake sets.

I have chucked the bicycle wheel idea for retention of the wheelchair wheels as they are smooth in function and turn so easily indoors and around sharp corners.

Here is the first photo of the initial tear down and bracing. The top cross brace of square tubing is just tack welded and holding position for later removal.

More later next week.

-Gary :thumbsup:

 

[Gymnut808]

This is definitely Ben Hur approved. An instructor of mine had commented earlier about the use of a wheelchair as a dolly and I sometimes kick myself for having not grabbed one left abandoned in the Tenderloin.

 

[Gary Sconce]

This is definitely Ben Hur approved. An instructor of mine had commented earlier about the use of a wheelchair as a dolly and I sometimes kick myself for having not grabbed one left abandoned in the Tenderloin.

Yeah, this one was discarded as it had been thrown and bent a front wheel yoke. It was easy to bend back with 'Mr. Sledgehammer' and a Big vise.

I am really having fun with it and finished the lower triangulation tonight. I found my old scrounged parade bass drum holding chariot and am going to use the front yoke (al la Ben Hur) for a removable front pull bar. It is chrome and beautiful! I found my steel floor plate from some sheet metal.

I am hoping this unit will be a:
--A full speed running Hypercam dolly front and rear
--A replacement for tracks and a dolly for push and pull camera work
--Standing Hypercam platform for rolling side shots
--A smooth leading or following dolly for moving indoors through rooms and hallways

More later this week. I have only 2 weeks until the first month of Stricken the Feature is starting to be shot and I need the Hyperchariot done and tested as it is used in many, many shots the first 2 weeks.

Gary

 

[Gary Sconce]

Here is an 80% correct drawing plan.

I have added an area on the front for feet and have placed tubing in front of the front wheels so I can attach small platforms for holding the two out of three feet of a tripod on the front corners. I have not put on the safety wheel in the back yet, but am seeing if it is necessary in alpha testing.

Here is the finished sled.

This is a front view of the completely open design.

By adding the front trussing I was able to create two positions for attachment of bases for the front two legs of a tripod, with the rear leg going on the center rear of the sled. Here is where they will attach.

I opted for a wood floor instead of metal and will pad and carpet it to stop harmonic vibration of the plywood. I will be placing removable risers on the top to mount a waist belt to hold on the Hypercam operator when the rig is being pushed or pulled. Here is the pulling yoke/handle mounted temporarily for the pic. The grip will run in it like a horse pulling a wagon, or will pull from the front of the handle. I have yet to place the rear detachable push handles on. That comes tomorrow.

Finally, a view of the base of the sled. I used the pieces of the wheel chair in lots of places as it was great steel and the shapes were handy for bracing and the platform. All the rest is electrical conduit and a piece of angle iron in the back to hold the floor.

More later!

Gary

 

[Gary Sconce]

Here is the sled with the yoke in the front, the handles in the back and the support belt all installed. All are removable. The wood floor is removed for the installation of the stool tomorrow. Here is a side view:

A cornering front view. The bracing supports the sled but allows the inside to be totally open for universal use.

The front yoke removes or just folds up for filming forward with a grip pushing from the rear.

Here is a big ugly Scottish guy (me) showing the rear filming position.

Side filming position:

Front filming position.

I have to finish putting on the removable rotating stool and the tripod feet tomorrow. I hope to have test footage of this in action in the next two weeks.

Gary

 

[DM_rider]

So cool. Get it powder coated flat black and you'll be in business!

 

[Gary Sconce]

So cool. Get it powder coated flat black and you'll be in business!

Yup. Flat black is the ticket. I had a half can of it and painted all the welds to stop rust but ran out.

I had fun running in the yoke with it yesterday. I can sprint as fast as I can, and unloaded it is still completely stable. I am glad I didn't remove the wheel chair brakes as they are handy to stop it from rolling. The wheel chair brearings are so smooth it wants to constantly take off on me.

It is snowing here today so I have to put off the stool mods until another day.

Gary :thumbsup:

 

[Matt Sconce]

I am excited to use this the first week of Stricken the Feature!!!

 

[Jason Miller]

i have to say, I am vary impressed.

can the harness be raised or lowered for taller or shorter people?

 

[Gary Sconce]

i have to say, I am vary impressed.

can the harness be raised or lowered for taller or shorter people?

Yup, and it will be able to also adjust front to back on the belt clasps. Here are some pics of the tripod mounts with an old tripod attached for size. I am going to place another mounting point on the upper left front tube so a tripod can be placed at the center of the turning axis of the sled also.

And the rear view. All feet will be able to lock down.

More later. Gary :kali:

 

[Gary Sconce]

Here is the final Hyperchariot, ready for the filming of STRICKEN the Feature: This is the alternate mounting of the tripod toward the rear of the sled.

Compare to the front mount:

Rear view: I added an additional 'foot' in back. Notice the heavy duty velcro hold downs on the tripod feet integral to the mounts.

Compare to the front mounting of the tripod. This allows a rider to run the rig rather than just using it as a dolly,

Well, now it comes down to testing and shooting with it. Best to all! -Gary

 

[Gary Sconce]

I alpha tested the rig today. It was more smooth than a steadycam! I was able to pull Matt at full running speed with the HVX camera completely stable. I pushed him also and it was also completely stable. We chased a little kid around a large room, and even shot in slow motion and all went great.

We took the dolly outside and it works just as smoothly on pavement as well as on carpet and flooring. I am so very pleased with the unit that I will make absolutely no changes to it.

We will be using it this week in our first weekend of shooting STRICKEN the Movie. It will be a HUGE help in some of the action shots. It will perform both steady running and tripod dolly work for us. Matt will post footage if he has time.

YAY! :thumbsup: Hyperchariot

-Gary

 

[Gary Sconce]

The dolly rocks! We used it on set for pulling following running shots, pushing running shots, sideways running shots, kneeling low running feet shots and it performed well. I am very pleased. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: YAY!

Gary

 

[MikeWilkinson]

Post a few clips?

 

[Gary Sconce]

Post a few clips?

I will try to post some of the footage of an infomercial we are shooting this Saturday for the new sport KILLERBALL.

 

[Gary Sconce]

You can see a clips in the teaser trailer for STRICKEN the feature directed by Matt Sconce.

Go to strickenthefeature.com and watch for the scenes in the hallway. The push dutched was by the Hyperchariot and the Hypercam together, and the pull of the girl stabbing the knife was with the Hyperchariot using the Hypercam. Fun, fun, fun! :happy: