Jibs

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Editor321

Active member
Sorry to post a non-light subject here...But dont see any titles for Jibs.

Question:

Im thinking about investing in a Jib. Does anyone here use a Jib in your productions and how much does it enhance your work?
 
Like any tool, it depends on the operator. I've got a jib arm (EZ/FX) that I rarely use, because I haven't devoted the time to learn how to fly it. My friend Patrick Kerby is an incredibly talented jib operator with national network shows to his credit, so when he's driving it, the jib makes the show look like a million bucks.

If I'm dragging it around? It enhances the work not at all. Well, obviously you can get some shots that you wouldn't otherwise get, but the difference is night and day between a talented operator and a guy who's dragging the jib arm around.

So if you have a skilled operator, or you yourself will dedicate the time to master the craft, it's incredible. There's nothing else like it. But just like with a Steadicam, in the wrong hands it doesn't do any good at all, and talented operators get paid a lot of money to be "just" a Steadicam operator, or "just" a jib operator.
 
I use my jib a few times a month and I've had it since late December of last year. I think it greatly increases the look of your programs, but it also depends on how good you are with it--as Barry said. Even so, you can get pretty impressive shots in a short while. Rember though, you will probably have less than 5 jib shots per production?? so it is not like it makes the whole thing instantly great. My early work with it was nothing spectacular, as I, by myself was operating it and trying to teach myself to use it ( along with on-the-shoot- calls to the crane designer ). I love fluid video and this tool just gives you a beautiful in-camera move.

My initial drawback was the time to set up each shot. I have it down to a routine, now and it takes less than 8 minutes to get it up and probably a total of 16-20 minutes to do one whole shot and FULLY DISASSEMBLE IT AGAIN. I put together a whole kit to do all of this that, all together, added up to a lot of money, so defintely don't think of it as just the jib arm, etc. I wanted a whole kit that was fast and portable, because I frequently have to set it up alone.

I do primarily weddings, but I bought it mostly for the commerical work I have been getting into recently. I would not advise anyone trying to use this on a wedding event day, unless it is a huge facility and you really know what you are doing with it because misuse can result in property damage or injury. The skycrane link below will take you to my jib. I have nothing to do with that company aside from being a happy customer. bob has been very helpful and patient with my questions. One major plus for me with the skycrane was that it does not force you to use your own tripod head. I did have to buy a separate tripod just for the crane, though. $$$ ( among several other annoying, but necessary purchases and trips to home depot)

good luck!
 
I have the cobra crane ,, my cousing has one in LA and turned me onto it.... I'm shooting music vid's/ weddings/ anything and everything I can... he uses it on every shoot... I used it for the first time on my last video I did and now that I'm editing it I can honestly say I used 1 shot with the jib.... it's like barry said practice will make all the difference.....
 
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I have a jib (spain jib http://www.dinamicam.com) and I bought it for docs and shorts. The shoots looks fantastic, but you have to train your movements one, twice... until you had a perfect and instictive movements. I do weddings too, but I think that isn´t a good idea carry with it, because a wedding is a run and shoot production, the dolly had a good job.
 
I have been considering getting a crane for some time now. What would you say the learning curve is to not to master it but be comfortable with using it on small projects? Did you all just go out in your yards and just play around with it doing sweeps back and forth up and down? I am sure it is hard but in a way it seems like it could be easy. I think having the camera floating in space adds a nice element to any project. What would seem dificult to me is to have the motorized head on the crane so you can change the camera angle and zoom in or out while panning the whole crane doing the sweeps all at the same time. I guess that is why the "pros" make the big bucks!
 
there *F*4N heavy too, carting around that awkward 6pnd ***** with another 12pnds of weight's and trying to mount it to your tripod is almost worth charging admission from onlookers..... but absolultly worth it in the long run....
 
If I can do that..( lug it around, set it up, and fly) alone, on a sidewalk at union square in san francisco, any of you guys can. that said, all my stuff is on wheels. people part like the red sea to stay out of your way.
 
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