What can I use to rotate a camera on its center axis?

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Filmkid2003

Well-known member
Hey everyone. I need to do a shot where the main character in my film is lying on the ground with his eyes closed (this shot is a close up of his face, by the way), and the camera is above his face and turned upside down so that the actor is upside down on screen. Then the camera slowly rotates 180 degrees on it's center axis (like if the axis runs through the center of the lens and out the back of the camera) and the actor's face slowly becomes upright on screen. The actor open's his eyes and looks past the camera and up at the sky. The context of the scene is that the character went to sleep in the scene right before this shot and now he is waking up inside his own dream.

So, my question is, does anyone know of a way I can shoot this on the cheap? Like Home Depot cheap? The camera I am using is a Panasonic GH2 DSLR camera. Obviously, it will be pointed at the ground, since the actor is lying on the ground, so, it needs to be attached to something that is motorized and spins at variable speeds (since I would like to try different speeds of rotating the camera, although, I will most likely rotate the camera slowly). Oh, and yes, I know I could just stand over the actor and slowly rotate the cameras myself (which I did already and I didn't like the results)but, I want a perfectly smooth rotation which I can only get from a machine.

Has anyone tried this before? Anybody have any suggestions?
 
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i would make an L shaped bracket that goes form the 1/4 20 thread on the bottom of the camera to create a mounting point exactly on the axis that you want your rotation. Then you can attach the drive shaft of a dc motor. Vary the voltage into the motor to get different speeds of the rotation. Start with a small motor with low power for a slow spin. You could even rig up off of that L bracket a belt drive system and have varied hub sizes for the axle to create different speed rotations.
 
Same to Trey's idea, but just use a drill. Simple, effective, variable speeds, portable, and handles a lot of weight. Gonna have to make a stable "L" shaped mount, and try to get as close to the center of the lens as possible.
ANother idea is just shooting at 1080p and then rotating the video in post, of course your gonna have to blow up the video a bit... so your probably gonna have 720p footage after post, for that shot. But 720p is still very acceptable.
 
you have to find a place with a kind a balcony over the grass (unless you bring your own grass), then you fix a vertical tube outside the balcony.
in the tube , you pass a long pole (wood or aluminium ) so you can slide it slowly. If you do not want this kind of setup you can simply use the zoom out and
rotate the picture in post, at the speed you want. in that case a monopod will fit the need.
if nothing move , you can even use a high resolution still picture and merge with the video only for the opening of eyes.
you can use any place over grass, like a bridge or roof.
 
Thank you all for the replies... except for Dane Cannon. I will not tolerate such ill will towards egg timers on my post, sir!!! Good day!
 
Lol -- I should've been more respectful of the egg timer. What about taping your camera to a lazy susan and spinning it by hand very slowly? You could even tape a remote control car to the rig (so it's wheel is pressing against the spinny part) and then use the controller to get whatever speed or direction you want?
 
Danecannon thats a good idea. Op if u visit home depot or any home improvement store u can pick up a lazysusan for under $12. Attach a piece of plywood and rig on a simple 90 degree metal bracket in the center. Line it up so the lens is in the center and whola. U could wind a piece of string around and give it a pull to give the desired speed
 
i feel like taping my camera to an upside down lazy suzan with a remote control car on top sitting directly above the face of my actor is going to make them a touch uncomfortable.

"here just pretend your sleeping under this, the sword of Damocles."
 
Unbenannt.jpgyou could do it like that, but pay attention that the inner rings of the bearings do not get in contact with the upper plate - could be figured out by making the hole a bit bigger or break the edges 1 or 2 millimeters... pretty cheap and should run smoothly :) btw: the big black thing is the camera ;)
 
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