suspend actor

B

boulder

Well-known member
I need to suspend an actor upright about a foot off the ground, just so he can move his legs a bit in front of the greenscreen without touching. No movement of the harness, mucho padding on floor. I'm just looking for something that wont cut his circulation in the legs. Preferably waist down but can compromise if that's not doable.
I read the flying harness thread but this is a bit simpler. Ideas?
 
Last edited:
boulder said:
=Preferably waist down but can compromise if that's not doable.

Click to expand...

If it's just the actor's lower half, could he hang from something by his hands? Monkey bars, or some rig off of support beams?

Even if you want a full body shot, you could shoot a version just for the top half and mask it onto the bottom half. Keep your halfway point in mind when you're looking at the wardrobe and feather you masks and it should work.
 
It's a full body shot but the actor has to move so it might be difficult to match actions. The actor is flying through the air a la Reign of Fire jump. He needs to move but doesn't have to be far off ground as I will key in the sky. I was hoping to have his shirt off like RoF but if that's too difficult

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL_QcyCJgls
 
climbing harness and steel cable. whatever the actors weight, have 2 cables on either hip totaling twice the weight capacity, and a third loose cable for backup
 
imdjay said:
climbing harness and steel cable. whatever the actors weight, have 2 cables on either hip totaling twice the weight capacity, and a third loose cable for backup
Click to expand...

Sorry, to flag this, but don't use a climbing harness in this manner unless it has weight-bearing attachment points near the hips. Most climbing harnesses only have a suitable point at the front. Some of climbing harnesses have picks at hips, but are for work positioning and are not weight bearing. If the harness breaks and your actor is just a couple of feet of ground, he can be injured (even if you have padding.

If you want to use a climbing harness, check it is fit for purpose. For shots like you mention, I always use this style of harness - http://www.amspecinc.com/products/Harnesses_and_Belts/search_detail.php?id=220

it has pick points by the hips, can be worn by a shirtless actor, and is designed for stunts, flying etc.

Sorry to sound like a killjoy, but don't attempt anything like this unless you are 100% confident in whoever is setting it up and rigging it. For example if the artist doesn't wear the harness correctly (above the hip bones) they are not safe.
If it's not full body shot - I second the monkeybar suggestion. On other shoots, I have had boxes made with a pole and bicycle seat on it. The box is green/blue, the actor perches on the seat as if standing and their feet dangle a few inches off the floor.
 
Actually I found a rigger and leaving it to her. She already has the equipment. Yeah I considered the bycycle seat option and if she falls through I might do that
 
^^^^^^^^^^ the absolute first class way to go. rigger's know what needs to be done if they have stunt rigging experience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top