Zero gravity
- Thread starter TBSHVX
- Start date
hoarp001
Veteran
We did a zero gravity effect shot once. Unfortunately had to be faked with CG.
To get the nice floaty effect of zero gravity, we used a nine camera motion capture system to log the movments of a steadicam sled.
This picture shows the camera covered in tracking markers.
The information of the camera floating about was then applied to the CG effect. I had no part in that, I just operated the steadicam to track the movement.
I did see a video somewhere showing how to get a zero gravity effect for models. it included making a box, painting the inside black, mounting the camera down and then shaking it violently. Seemed to work but not quite what you need.
Maybe it is possible with ropes and pulleys?
To get the nice floaty effect of zero gravity, we used a nine camera motion capture system to log the movments of a steadicam sled.
This picture shows the camera covered in tracking markers.
The information of the camera floating about was then applied to the CG effect. I had no part in that, I just operated the steadicam to track the movement.
I did see a video somewhere showing how to get a zero gravity effect for models. it included making a box, painting the inside black, mounting the camera down and then shaking it violently. Seemed to work but not quite what you need.
Maybe it is possible with ropes and pulleys?
clang
Veteran
A greenscreened background will almost certainly be part of your solution, letting you pan and rotate your set background independently of the actors.
To get the actors 'floating', that will epend on how much of their bodies needs to be visible and how much they need to rotate and move themselves - e.g. a full-body spin could be particulalry difficult. If not all of their bodies needs to be onscreen, then some sort of rig may be able to support them offscreen, remembering you can shoot them sideways or upside down.
The professionals would probably use a proper 'flying' rig (and edit out the wires later in post), but such rigs are far too dangerous and expensive for amateurs. I wouldn't recommend making your own - get it wrong and you could kill your actor.
Watch 2001 A Space Odyssey again, if only to see how it was done pre-computer
To get the actors 'floating', that will epend on how much of their bodies needs to be visible and how much they need to rotate and move themselves - e.g. a full-body spin could be particulalry difficult. If not all of their bodies needs to be onscreen, then some sort of rig may be able to support them offscreen, remembering you can shoot them sideways or upside down.
The professionals would probably use a proper 'flying' rig (and edit out the wires later in post), but such rigs are far too dangerous and expensive for amateurs. I wouldn't recommend making your own - get it wrong and you could kill your actor.
Watch 2001 A Space Odyssey again, if only to see how it was done pre-computer
Edgen
Veteran
I was watching the behind the scenes to Danny Boyle's film, "Sunshine" and they mentioned they got a 'floating' sensation by everyone balancing on unicycles. Now, granted that shot was part of their group photo and it maybe hard to shoot it solo. Not to mention it would be tough to ride one.
good luck!
/j
good luck!
/j
Brickhouse Media
Well-known member
You could rig your talent on a pulley from above and shoot from below. Either paint out your ropes or make sure the talent obscures them.
El Director
Veteran
In Apollo 13, For the close ups where they didn't have the actors in the "Vomit Comit" (a KC-135 doing zero g dives), the actors just bobbed them selves around using their knees and hips. If it's good enough for Ron Howard, should be good enough for you.