Inexpensive Dolly Ideas

Started by Thecowgoooesmooo, January 15, 2003, 04:25:51 PM

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Redlum

Thanks Michael. I really think Im going to get one for my next project. I really think it would open everything up for me. I just have to find out how much the thing weighs - I dont want to be wiped out by import tax to the uk.
\"I wanted to make a film for kids, something that would present them with a kind of elementary morality. Because nowadays nobody bothers to tell those kids, \'Hey, this is right and this is wrong\'.\"
  -  George Lucas

Tommy Both


Redlum

Reminds me of that 'chics with guns' video in Jackie Brown...except with steadi-cams...

"Glide Cam 2000. When you absolutely, positively got to track every motherfucker on the set. Accept no substitutes."
\"I wanted to make a film for kids, something that would present them with a kind of elementary morality. Because nowadays nobody bothers to tell those kids, \'Hey, this is right and this is wrong\'.\"
  -  George Lucas

ReelHotGames

That pic is the bad boy of the glidecam world, you can go the step down where it is less like a steadicam jr and just has an arm you hold rather than the whole chest contraption gizmo.

It would certainly weight less for import tax purposes, and the initial cost is a few hundred less as well.
"Body Count Cinema the Customizable Card Game"
A cinematic CCG coming to a coffee table near you!
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Pedro

Quote from: michael alessandroThat pic is the bad boy of the glidecam world, you can go the step down where it is less like a steadicam jr and just has an arm you hold rather than the whole chest contraption gizmo.


would this contraption of chest eliminate the the strength needed for long shots? (I'm trying to get a shot just like the glidecam demo shots...but it lasts for around 6-7 minutes...)

ReelHotGames

The bad boy glidecam pictured is very much like a steadicam jr, so it does eleviate the arm stress, though you still must use some hand control.

The lower model also has a slight body contraption, but it doesn't help in any true motion situations, it is basically there for standing still moments.

So the lower end glidecam does require some arm and body strength but 6-7 minutes is not really tough, I'm not he-man and I walked a tough 1/2 mile up and down hill nature trail with the glidecam and was able to do it for over an hour, so unless you have boney girl arms  :wink:  you should be fine, though if you have the cash to spend the above pictured is worth the investment, it's smoother, less of a learning curve as well as a built in video screen on the lower edge for viewing while also being able to watch your feet.
"Body Count Cinema the Customizable Card Game"
A cinematic CCG coming to a coffee table near you!
www.reelhotgames.com/BodyCountCinema_Home.htm

82

ugh.. This isn't a glide/steadicam thread and you guys are mucking it up with that crap...

If you watch and listen to the commentary on Sydney, during Phillip Baker Hall's 'walk' through the casino PTA comments on the overuse of the steadicam because its ease of use, and obviously with regard to this thread... this is very very true.

The best idea is to have a a well thought out idea and then rent a doorway dolly... unless you are in the middle of nowhere, renting a dolly will be your best course of action.  I live in omaha so I rent through LightsOn www.lightson.com -- they are also located in Minneapolis and Kansas City.

Other cheaper "solutions"

http://www.do-it-yourself.netfirms.com/dolly.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/movies/nobudgetsfx/dolly.html
"We're all one thing, Lieutenant. That's what I've come to realize. Like cells in a body. 'Cept we can't see the body. The way fish can't see the ocean. And so we envy each other. Hurt each other. Hate each other. How silly is that? A heart cell hating a lung cell"

bonanzataz

Quote from: redlumReminds me of that 'chics with guns' video in Jackie Brown...except with steadi-cams...

"Glide Cam 2000. When you absolutely, positively got to track every motherfucker on the set. Accept no substitutes."

HAHAHAHAHA! That made me laugh. You're insane.
The corpses all hang headless and limp bodies with no surprises and the blood drains down like devil's rain we'll bathe tonight I want your skulls I need your skulls I want your skulls I need your skulls Demon I am and face I peel to see your skin turned inside out, 'cause gotta have you on my wall gotta have you on my wall, 'cause I want your skulls I need your skulls I want your skulls I need your skulls collect the heads of little girls and put 'em on my wall hack the heads off little girls and put 'em on my wall I want your skulls I need your skulls I want your skulls I need your skulls


ReelHotGames

Quote from: 82ugh.. This isn't a glide/steadicam thread and you guys are mucking it up with that crap...

If you watch and listen to the commentary on Sydney, during Phillip Baker Hall's 'walk' through the casino PTA comments on the overuse of the steadicam because its ease of use, and obviously with regard to this thread... this is very very true.

The best idea is to have a a well thought out idea and then rent a doorway dolly... unless you are in the middle of nowhere, renting a dolly will be your best course of action.  I live in omaha so I rent through LightsOn www.lightson.com -- they are also located in Minneapolis and Kansas City.

Other cheaper "solutions"

http://www.do-it-yourself.netfirms.com/dolly.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/movies/nobudgetsfx/dolly.html

While I agree it's true that there is an overuse because of it's ease with steadicam/glidecam etc... When you're on a low budget, working on a tight time gframe and need a smooth shot for your guerilla filmmaking, then it's your best solution.
"Body Count Cinema the Customizable Card Game"
A cinematic CCG coming to a coffee table near you!
www.reelhotgames.com/BodyCountCinema_Home.htm

Cecil

Quote from: Jeremy Blackman
Quote from: bonanzatazYou're insane.

http://xixax.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=22

why thank you. ill take that as a compliment.

or should i?

Redlum

Anyone had any experience with the following. Or know naything about them. I finally found a rental place. And these are the cheapest tracking options.

"Scaffold camera dolly"
Fits on standard scaffold poles.  Supplied with euro boss plate & flight case.

"Table top dolly"
Mini dolly suitable for table top or low level tracking shots. Comprises 1x 1 metre rail section & 1x 2 metre rail section, camera dolly & flight case.

Also, where's good old Michael Allesandro? Last I remember he was going to shoot a film on Alcatraz.
\"I wanted to make a film for kids, something that would present them with a kind of elementary morality. Because nowadays nobody bothers to tell those kids, \'Hey, this is right and this is wrong\'.\"
  -  George Lucas

Recce

Quote from: tommy_both
Quote from: redlumhttp://www.glidecam.com/

its sooo easy to use  :P

So you gotta watch your stuff on an LCD screen? Bah! Viewfinder all the way.

And another sad note, I seriously think that if I had to choose between having the girl or the XL1s, I'd take the camera.
"The idea had been growing in my brain for some time: TRUE force. All the king's men
                        cannot put it back together again." (Travis Bickle, "Taxi Driver")

Link

Quote from: Recce
Quote from: tommy_both
Quote from: redlumhttp://www.glidecam.com/

its sooo easy to use  :P

So you gotta watch your stuff on an LCD screen? Bah! Viewfinder all the way.

And another sad note, I seriously think that if I had to choose between having the girl or the XL1s, I'd take the camera.

Straight up.  Then again, I have a g/f already.  But even still.

cine

That camera doesn't deserve sloppy seconds.