skill with steadycam

smelni

smelni

Veteran
First, I want to say that I know that proper operation of a steadycam rig is a very specialized skill and takes a long time to get good at. Knowing that, I was wondering if it would be possible to get reasonable results having the steadycam to practice with for a weeks time before a shoot. At least for basic tracking shots? Any opinions on this? I am specifically thinking with the HVX/M2 combo.

thanks
 
a few days should enough practice for basic tracking shots. just walk around the block and get used to the movment. and be light on the guide!


i hate TV. but i just started using steadicam recently and since then have become obsessed with primetime dramas. some of those guys are F-ing Gurus.
 
Erm, Steadicam, I not a Y.

After a week long workshop most operators can move with the rig and make a basic tracking shot, complete with all the issues of a new operator like horizon wobble, etc.
To do this without a workshop or guideance from an experienced operator will take much longer.

If you are good, after a solid week in a rig you will pobabaly be able to move with it and point the camera in about the right direction. After a couple of weeks the average performance will start to pass rough hand held - it'll always be smoother, but at about this point it will tent to also aim more where you want it, it still still be far from perfect.

After a couple of monthes you should be able to perfom most basic shots proficiently.
After a few years (yes, years) you begin to move up from "novice" to the next level.
To become a master generally takes about a decade.


What sort of a Steadicam as you wanting to use and on what sort of a shoot, and when?

- Mikko
 
I always try to bring in a real op for Steadicam shots. As a DP I have tried to fly these things myself, but frankly, as Mikko stated, unless you do this for years, you are not going to be all that good at it. An owner/operator shouldn't be that much more per day than a rental and in the end, you will get a lot more from your budget if you reduce the number of Steadicam days, you will get fewer shots, but they will be quality ones, which will go much further than a bunch of amateur ones.
 
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I have been considering buying a Flyer but these guys are right, it takes years to get good with Steadicam.

I was considering a few weeks of real bootcamp followed by a lot of practice. Now, I am leaning toward a PortaJib and Spider dolly instead, I think it would be cheaper to buy and more useful for what I typically shoot. I would only consider a Steadicam if you regularly need long following and tracking shots over uneven terrain, something I rarely shoot. I typically shoot hosting segments with film critics, directors, producers and actors as they talk about a certain film they have created so I am usually on a stage, NOT running up flights of stairs, etc. where I would really need a Steadicam.

Best,

Dan
 
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