vitaluminosa
Active member
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Jumping off building
- Thread starter vitaluminosa
- Start date
Larry Rutledge
Fest Master
I would think if you establish a location then cheat the shot it would work pretty well. In other words, give us some shots of the "character" at the point of jumping, and make sure we see how tall the building is (either looking down over the edge, or looking up from the ground below).
Then do a close up of the actor so we don't see his whole body (especially not his lower legs and feet), so he can be standing on flat ground and jump out of frame.
Of course, if you want to show him flying across to another building from the jump, or falling to the ground then it will require more greenscreen or wire work. But that is a cheap solution, just depends on if it works for your story or not.
Hope it helps.
Peace,
Larry
Then do a close up of the actor so we don't see his whole body (especially not his lower legs and feet), so he can be standing on flat ground and jump out of frame.
Of course, if you want to show him flying across to another building from the jump, or falling to the ground then it will require more greenscreen or wire work. But that is a cheap solution, just depends on if it works for your story or not.
Hope it helps.
Peace,
Larry
Andrew Brinkhaus
Veteran
describe the situation in the film that the effect takes place in and I might be able to help you.
A typical set up would be to construct a section of a building precipice and place it into a safe area on an actual rooftop.
This way, you can safely shoot your low and higher angles at an appropriate elevation (e.g., fifteen stories above ground level). For the jump, if there is one, you'll simply have your talent jump off the edge into pads or mattresses.
On The Rock we shot the talent falling from the Fairmont Hotel (7th story) using this cheat and a longer shot on a decelerator cable. This isn't practical except with a coordinator and trained personnel.
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This way, you can safely shoot your low and higher angles at an appropriate elevation (e.g., fifteen stories above ground level). For the jump, if there is one, you'll simply have your talent jump off the edge into pads or mattresses.
On The Rock we shot the talent falling from the Fairmont Hotel (7th story) using this cheat and a longer shot on a decelerator cable. This isn't practical except with a coordinator and trained personnel.
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Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
That is really cool. I was trying to think of a way to do something similar. If the area I can get works with this solution I might give it a go. (Assuming it is safe of course!)overlandfilms said:A typical set up would be to construct a section of a building precipice and place it into a safe area on an actual rooftop.
This way, you can safely shoot your low and higher angles at an appropriate elevation (e.g., fifteen stories above ground level). For the jump, if there is one, you'll simply have your talent jump off the edge into pads or mattresses.
On The Rock we shot the talent falling from the Fairmont Hotel (7th story) using this cheat and a longer shot on a decelerator cable. This isn't practical except with a coordinator and trained personnel.
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Make sure your padding isn't too close to the building edge or too bouncy. Be safe! BTW, that is NY in my drawing - could you tell?
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Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
overlandfilms said:
Yup. Looked like it was around 23rd Street or so. Judging from the size of the Empire State Building.
So what would you recommend for an affordable setup? I was figuring on making it just high enough for the actor to drop out of frame, maybe a six foot drop.
maverickstunts
Well-known member
Overland films,
good going, and your advice to have a coordinator there is not a bad one either. Remember that even a short fall into a pad can hurt someone if they don't know what they are doing. Preparation is everything and assuming someone can do the gag is never a good thing.
We did the same thing on "Reno 911" with a parachutist on top of the Comerica building in Van Nuys. We used cardboard boxes as a catcher. If you don't have a pad they work just fine. Use 2 x 2 boxes tied together with a "stiffener" in between.
At least two layers of boxes with one layer of flat or folded boxes between the layers. Make sure that there is a rope all the way around the boxes (both layers). Put a furniture pad or blankets over the top of the boxes, voila' a box catcher.
good going, and your advice to have a coordinator there is not a bad one either. Remember that even a short fall into a pad can hurt someone if they don't know what they are doing. Preparation is everything and assuming someone can do the gag is never a good thing.
We did the same thing on "Reno 911" with a parachutist on top of the Comerica building in Van Nuys. We used cardboard boxes as a catcher. If you don't have a pad they work just fine. Use 2 x 2 boxes tied together with a "stiffener" in between.
At least two layers of boxes with one layer of flat or folded boxes between the layers. Make sure that there is a rope all the way around the boxes (both layers). Put a furniture pad or blankets over the top of the boxes, voila' a box catcher.
Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
maverickstunts said:
Steve,
Thanks for the info. This sounds great, but I'm not understanding how you set up the boxes or what you mean by a stiffener. Could you give me a little more info, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Alex
maverickstunts
Well-known member
Alex,
Go to someplace like box city or a moving company. Buy boxes, usually 2 x 2 feet. A catcher should probably be about 8 x 10 depending on how high the fall is. Higher means bigger. Place the boxes side by side to create the catcher with the flap sides up but folded securely. Place a layer of flat boxes on top to create a "stiffener". You may have to or could cut the boxes open and lay them flat. Then place another layer of boxes on top. Depending on how high you go add layers. Then take clothesline rope and loop it around each layer, tying the boxes together. Tie them securely so they won't slide apart but not so securely that you bend the boxes. I usually put a series of furniture pads on top of the boxes to help hold everything together and that also allows a bit of a pad for the performer. AGAIN, DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT SOME TRAINED PERSONELL. Don't assume that just anyone can do this. I wouldn't take an actor above about 6-8 feet. Make sure that you are no where near the edge of the building with the catcher. The beauty of this catcher is that you can add layers and you won't bounce out. You can then return the boxes that you don't use.
PLEASE USE PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERYTHING, AND YOU MUST USE AT LEAST TWO LAYERS!
Go to someplace like box city or a moving company. Buy boxes, usually 2 x 2 feet. A catcher should probably be about 8 x 10 depending on how high the fall is. Higher means bigger. Place the boxes side by side to create the catcher with the flap sides up but folded securely. Place a layer of flat boxes on top to create a "stiffener". You may have to or could cut the boxes open and lay them flat. Then place another layer of boxes on top. Depending on how high you go add layers. Then take clothesline rope and loop it around each layer, tying the boxes together. Tie them securely so they won't slide apart but not so securely that you bend the boxes. I usually put a series of furniture pads on top of the boxes to help hold everything together and that also allows a bit of a pad for the performer. AGAIN, DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT SOME TRAINED PERSONELL. Don't assume that just anyone can do this. I wouldn't take an actor above about 6-8 feet. Make sure that you are no where near the edge of the building with the catcher. The beauty of this catcher is that you can add layers and you won't bounce out. You can then return the boxes that you don't use.
PLEASE USE PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERYTHING, AND YOU MUST USE AT LEAST TWO LAYERS!
maverickstunts
Well-known member
Our catcher on Comerica was 16 feet by 20 feet, six feet high with stiffeners between both layers and a tarp on top. The fall was about 20 feet to the boxes.
Alex DePew
Señor Schmarty Pants
Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know anyone in NYC who might be able to help me if I do something like this? I have a really small budget, but I agree that it would be neccessary to have someone trained on site.
Thanks again,
Alex
Thanks again,
Alex
maverickstunts
Well-known member
A guy named Doug Crosby may be able to help you. He is a very talented stuntman that works on the sopranos and anything else on the East coast.
BergVision
Well-known member
For additional effect, use a camera crane down low with the camera angle pointing up from the edge of the FAKE wall. Crane up twords the talent and then show the high shot from beind. It would ROCK!