Mounting a camera to a roller coaster

thefilmaddict

thefilmaddict

Veteran
We are doing a shoot for a small park that has a new roller coaster. Is there any affordable way to safely mount the camera to the coaster? We are using an EX1.
 
Any big camera shop should have plenty of camera mount clamps of various shapes and sizes, hopefully one of which will fit the coaster car. Additionally, I'd also use something to tether the camera to yourself, just in case the coaster hits a bump and loosens the clamp at the wrong moment :)
 
I would highly advise against doing this unless you've got a grip on board who knows what they're doing. Even a small object can become deadly very quickly at the speed at which it would come off of a roller coaster, and if you rigged it up without professional approval, insurance will not cover you. It is not worth the possibility of equipment damage, let alone lives, if something should go wrong. The park would probably nix the idea immediately too, as it would expose them to tremendous liability.

If you're talking about something very small and light (like a GoPro HD or similar) though, you might be able to make something happen, especially if you can find a way to bolt it to the car. I wouldn't trust any kind of clamps to not let go at the absolute worst moment. No matter how you attach it though, make sure you put on some load-rated safety straps, and make sure you're using knots that will not let go. Also, make sure that your safeties are not long enough to allow the camera to swing into people. Again, there's a lot of force involved.

Be careful out there. If you have any hesitation, don't do it. It's not worth the risks.
 
Yeah, no offense intended, but if you're at the level that you have to ask an internet forum advice on how to do this, then I'd highly advise against attempting it.
 
Be very careful, as everyone above has noted. Don't have anyone else in the car when you send it out and triple secure all elements, in case something comes loose. Be sure insurance knows about it. The lower the camera, the better the footage. I shot this and was truly afraid until the coaster arrived back in the station.

 
Find a rigging grip, I put a 16mm on a roller coaster and he had a pre-made and welded bracket that bolted to frame of coaster. DO NOT HALF ASS THIS people can be killed. And you can go to jail.
 
As the others have mentioned if you have not done this I would not try it yourself. I would recommend a Gopro. You could stick a few of them on the coaster car and it would be much safer than an EX cam
 
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