Camera Work: Smooth Moves (page 3)
Steady as She Goes
Several mechanical systems for smoothing out moving shots have debuted in the past few years. Of these, the oldest and best known is the Steadicam from Cinema Products. This ingenious appliance allows shots as steady as a granite mountain even when the camera operator runs at full tilt.
Recently, the Steadicam JR premiered. Designed for video camcorders, this system weighs less than four pounds--meaning almost all 8mm and VHS-C models. The operator holds the rig on which the camcorder's mounted and watches the image on an external LCD monitor.
The good news: this system really works! You can find it at street prices under $500. But the Steadicam JR has some quirks and limitations that you need to consider:
- As noted, it works only with ultralight cameras. Full-size S-VHS models such as the Panasonic AG455 are too heavy for it.
- Mastering the system requires considerable practice (though the results are definitely worth it).
- It takes up space. If you reflect on this, you'll see that a videomaker hand-holding a small camera commands a circle of real estate with perhaps a three-foot radius. Adding a Steadicam JR rig will nearly double the free space you need to operate.
On the other hand, if you're making a moving shot, you're moving through a lot of space anyway.
Movin' On
Whether you soar with a Steadicam JR or ooze along like ol' Groucho, you can use professional equipment and tricks to capture dynamic and professional moving shots.
All you really need is a little practice.
Videomaker contributing editor Jim Stinson makes industrial videos, teaches professional video production and writes mystery fiction.
