Make Your Own Mic Blimp (page 3)
Step Fifteen
Click to enlarge.Here's the fur-covered cable end cap (left) and blimp screen end cap (right) ready for use.
Step Sixteen
Click to enlarge.Apply Velcro strips to the cloth side of the faux fur, leaving about 1/2" to accommodate the handle shaft. The hook side of the Velcro goes on the bottom, and the latch side goes on the top, spaced about 1/4" from the edge on both sides.
Step Seventeen
Click to enlarge.Insert the screen and cable end caps on the blimp cage, lay the cage on top of the cloth side of the faux fur and wrap it around the cage, fastening it with the Velcro to secure it.
Step Eighteen
Click to enlarge.Here's the finished blimp ready for service. You can either hand-hold the blimp or use a painter's extension pole - or the pole used for my do-it-yourself jib project (Videomaker, November 2008)!
Tom Benford has been writing articles about video, photography, filmmaking and myriad other subjects for over 30 years, and he has authored more than a dozen books.
Side Bar: Tools
- Hacksaw or Dremel with cutting wheel
- Electric drill & 3/8" bit
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Newspaper
Side Bar: Materials
- Tubular mesh bird feeder
- Faux fur
- 3"-diameter mesh kitchen strainer
- Paint roller
- Double-sticky tape
- Velcro
- Epoxy & mixing stick
- Cable ties or wire
- 4 thick rubber bands
- All-purpose spray adhesive
