Dolly's and Steady Cams

[DWhots]

Looking to making or buying an inexpensive Camera Dolly, I found one on Amazon.com that fits on your average tripod, or monopod. But, I do not think the store they ship from ships to Canada
Does anyone have any suggestions about making on, other than Wheel Chair, Wagon etc.?

And how, if there is a way to make a Steady Cam?

Cheers

[HailtotheKing]

Hey dwhots,

Here are some links I found to make your own. Hope these help!

$14 Steady-Cam-www.student.virginia.edu/~fms-uva/steadycam/

Some good tips here on alot of things filmmaking-www.videouniversity.com/article2.htm

Some background info on Steady Cams-www.exposure.co.uk/eejit/steady/

[DAD]

Basically for a camera dolly all you need is a platform with handle that can be used to push it or pull it as needed. That handle should control one set of wheels for steering also. It's a realtively simple thing to design but can be moderately expensive to build depending on how fancy you want it. One thing you will want to do is make sure you use tires that are inflated. This is so you can very the tire pressure depending on the location where you are shooting and the terrain. Hard surfaces like concrete you'll want the tires to be pretty firm but not fully inflated to so that they give a quick smooth ride. Rougher terrain you'll want the tires a little softer so that they squish around odd shapes and objects on the ground and give you a smooth ride but it's harder to push and pull.

[DWhots]

thanks guys, this helps big time

[krtshadow]

Good links, Hail. I was wondering if anyone has tried the $14 steadicam. The clip didn't seem too bad, with some practice, it seems like you could get a lot out of it.

I've had an idea for a dolly system that I haven't tried yet, but see what you think.

Get a cheap skateboard (stop laughing). Using some pretty simple hardware you could mount your camera head onto it, and then your camera. Then using ladders and/or sawhorses lay down 2X6's at the height you want, using that as the "track" for your "dolly."

Obviously there are limitations. There's only so far a distance you can go, and turns I haven't even thought about. However, you could probably get some neat angles at different heights and it's cheaper than a wheelchair.

Anything I hadn't thought of? Suggestions, criticsms are encouraged.

[DAD]

The only problem with the $14 steadicam is that it lacks a gimble mount that allows for left to right movement. Adding a gimble mount to the device wouldn't be hard but then you have to achieve almost perfect balance between the camera and the counterweight on the bottom. Basically what this device does is turn your wrist into the gimble mount ... ouch after using it for any length of time.

[AJ]

I've seen the ladder dolly idea kicked about before, although I've never used one.

www.b-hague.co.uk/ladder_dolly_d8.htm

Probably wouldn't be too difficult to build one, but getting a smooth join between sections might be a pain.

I used to use a suitcase dolly a lot, but the pvc track was very poor, lots of rubbing and judder. If you can get hold of one of these and some 'proper' elemac track sections you can get the best of both worlds.

It's a cliche, but the old shopping cart method will give you some pretty impressive results if your location is suitable.

Another thought might be to use large scale (LGB) model-railroad track and wheels to create a dolly system for lightweight Mini-DV cameras.

That could get you round corners and into confined spaces. You could even use a locomotive to propel your 'dolly' for the shot!

[DWhots]

Well I think I am going to try out that $14 SteadyCam, to see how it works. The short film I plan to do will have some shots that will need one.
When I finish it I will let you all know how it turns out.

For the dolly, I was going to try and some other methods. Since the short I plan to do all takes place on a road, these are my ideas.
1: sit in an open trunk with a tripod and have the car slowly pull away, or move in.
2: A wagon always comes to mind, may have to change the wheels though.
3: A mechanics cart, forget the real name, the one will wheels that they lie on their backs to move under cars. (hell you know what I mean)

[AJ]

Shooting handheld in the boot of a car will work well, i'vwe used that technique a couple of time to good effect.

The only thing you really need is a driver with a smooth clutch foot (although if your in the states I suppose it'll be an automatic?)

If you have access to a van, you can get some cool shots out of the sideways facing doors on those things.

I hope you'll let us see the finished results?

[DWhots]

I do have a van, man I never even thought of doing that, great idea.

Once I am finished I will be putting it online, but that won't be for quite some time, I still have to fix up the script and then get the ball rolling.

cheers