Trying to recreate this shot - 360 degree vertical

H

HST

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Don't really know how to describe it (360 degree vertical?) so here is a video of what we are trying to achieve at the 10 second mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHPsKRBGSks

Anyone know if there is a custom rig that already exists to make this happen?

My idea right now is to take a DSLR, mount something to the back of it (velcro perhaps - or maybe an L bracket that can mount to the bottom and come up the back) then attach a pole to the back of the camera set the pole loosely in a clamp or something it can turn smoothly in. We then spin the pole and the camera does a 360.

I don't really want to use a GoPro for this if I don't have to.

Thoughts?
 
tampawolf said:
Why can't you do it in post?
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Haha- the wonderfully simple answer for the win!

After watching the video, I'll bet a lot of this ad was actually done in post- such as the scenes in which the camera seems to follow the laptop bobbing and bouncing along. Probably motion tracked to the display, so it stays perfectly centered while the world around it moves.

But if you really wanted to do this in camera, I'd get something like a fig rig, one of those steering-wheel shaped mounts. Then, you could attach that to an actual wheel with the center attached to a board of wood (old bus steering wheel would probably work, or a DIY with parts from a tool store). Then, just turn the wheel when necessary. But I still suspect a lot of this was done in post.
 
HST said:
Upon showing it to one of our post production wiz's I was told "They did that in post"

Now I want to do it in camera even more! :tongue:

Someone pointed me towards a Varizoom ZeroGravity head - that looks like it'll do the trick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itwU93tYokY
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That spins the wrong way. Think about what the camera is seeing- at the end of that meneuver, the camera is facing backwards. You are looking for it to roll over onto itself, along the Z axis.
 
drapeama said:
Attach the camera 90° on it! ;) It'll spin just like in the video, as long as you have the lens centered on that rig's axis.
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Fair enough, it will get you closer. But the pivot point is still underneath the camera and not the actual camera lens itself. That means you will end up tracing the outline of a circle of movement. What the OP is trying to do is roll the camera while in place (ie. the center of your FOV should remain the center throughout the roll). The only way to do that is to have the pivot point in the center of the camera (or at least center of the lens/sensor). You need the camera mounted to the middle of a wheel to do that. Attaching a cage to the center of a steering wheel from a junkyard would do the trick. Or a fig-rig sort of a setup (since it is already in the center of a wheel), and have THAT attached to a wheel with a pivot in the center.


EDIT: Upon watching the video demonstration a second time, I stand corrected. The pivot IS in the middle of where the camera mounts. However, it looks like it is only designed to fit a camera facing forward, due to the position of the handle. A small camera like a DSLR just might work there, however. But the brace with the handle will cover the controls and back of the camera. Still, I suppose it could work. Maybe.
 
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If you'll only settle for the most expensive in-camera solution for one shot, why stop at buying a nodal head... keep the camera still and spin the room. :tongue:

Use wood or metal to make an L-shape bracket as long and tall as the camera. Place the bracket down on the table on its long side and bolt the camera to it lengthways. Determine and mark off the axis of the camera lens on the short leg and drill a hole. Attach an axle, preferably featuring a bearing. Mount to some kind of support and spin.

Unless you shoot at a ridiculously high framerate a fast spin will look rubbish done for real. Even then most like. For a shot few people will appreciate. It's one shot, do it in post.
 
100% post effect.

HST said:
Don't really know how to describe it (360 degree vertical?) so here is a video of what we are trying to achieve at the 10 second mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHPsKRBGSks

Anyone know if there is a custom rig that already exists to make this happen?

My idea right now is to take a DSLR, mount something to the back of it (velcro perhaps - or maybe an L bracket that can mount to the bottom and come up the back) then attach a pole to the back of the camera set the pole loosely in a clamp or something it can turn smoothly in. We then spin the pole and the camera does a 360.

I don't really want to use a GoPro for this if I don't have to.

Thoughts?
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It can be done super easy and super cheap. See the post referenced above. A steel "L" bracket can be had at home depot for $3-$10 depending on size. To make a smooth movement, use a long handle on the tripod head for leverage.
 
You just need a post head, and point the camera sideways. My Vinten has left right/up down adjustment so you can adjust the CoG. If you adjust it so the lens is on the same level as the pivot, you can spin it 360 degree (or more). You need to remove the pan bar of course, but it can be done 'out of the box'. One reason why I hang on to old production kit. Of course, for just this effect, you could build one for very little. A L shape piece of metal, attached to another piece with a simple bolt. Make the bend to let the lens height be at the pivot point and you're done.
 
I'm all for doing stuff in camera, but in this sample it was clearly done in post. As Shooter also stated, you lose resolution and shooting at 4K is better. The sample shows a lot of softness during the effect. But I were doing this, I would have to look at how many setups you have. If you have to do a few of these in camera, expect a crazy long day because the timing has to be precise and you will undoubtably require many takes. Plus I wouldn't want the client hanging around while you adjust a DIY rig. As I have a RED I would definitely go the post effect route. If you don't have a 4K camera, I would seriously consider renting one for something like this.
 
Shooter said:
To do this in post requires shooting at a high rez eg 4k and posting in HD or less.

So in practical sense...that makes the shooting a little more difficult.

eg framing and composition
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Naturally, so you rent a camera and spend a little extra time on the details. Marking out your pivot point from the start will allow you to plan out both framing and composition. Unless OP rents or buys a proper mechanic rig he's pretty much risking not getting the 'feel' he's after considering the reference video.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Did a test shot at the rental house this morning with the varizoom zerogravity head and it worked PERFECT! Exactly as I stated the camera mounted sideways not straight on as was demo'd in the video I posted.

Naturally the biggest hassle will be getting the actors turn and my spin of the camera to match up - but for a $40 rental to get the zerogravity head it sure beats the price of renting a 4K camera.

My post guy has also flipped on his opinion and decided they did it *in camera* for the video I posted as well. I'm not a post guy so he'd have to explain...
 
HST said:
My post guy has also flipped on his opinion and decided they did it *in camera* for the video I posted as well. I'm not a post guy so he'd have to explain...
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There are many ways to achieving the same effect. It's simply all about the result and the look that you want to get and what tools you feel more comfortable using.
 
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Tolin said:
There are many ways to achieving the same effect. It's simply all about the result and the look that you want to get and what tools you feel more comfortable using.
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You have quoted me with something I did not say (your post #19). Please edit and delete it.
 
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