Getting movement in shots without wobbling

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David L Lewis
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Joined: Jan 11 2006

I'm trying to improve the look of my videos by trying to get more movement into my shots so that they dont look loke a succesion of stills. The sort of thing I'm trying to do is to intially have an object in the foreground masking the subject in the background and then moving the camera a small distance so that the foreground object "moves" out of the way to reveal the background object. Its the sort of technique thats used all over the place but getting it right just going hand held is proving very difficult I always seem to end up with a wobble rather than a nice smooth movement.

Ive tried holding my breath, bending my knees and swaying my body but all without any great improvement.

Is it just a matter of practice practice practice or would something like a "steadicam" be of more use.

If a steadycam s the way forward what would be suitable for a Z1? Or is it better to "cheat "on those shots and use a merlin steadicam with a small consumer camera?

Eager to learn how to do it properly cause I know my videos would look a whole lot better with some "controlled" camera movement.

David L Lewis

Hello I'm in Mensa, Is there anything you would like me to explain to you?

Flame1
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Joined: Apr 21 2007

Hi David,

If it's just small movements you are looking for then it really is a matter of practice and trying to find a way that is comfortable with you.

If you want to do longer flowing movements, then a steadicam would be the way forward.

Many people use a smaller HD or similar cam to get the steadicam shots and also leave it on there all day, using it for shots when required and going back to their main camera for the more static,less movement shots.

We have just invested in a steadicam pilot which we will be using our EX1 or FX1 on, have not decided yet. So that will be used soley for those shots while we can still be creative with the other camera getting the shots we are not able to on the glidecam.

Have you also thought of a monopod?

Whatever you decide, it will require tons of practice. Putting your camera on a sreadicam is not as straightforward as it may appear, and you may end up being frustrated for different reasons.

If you do stick to handheld, even the smallest of movements will help!

Cheers,:)

Flame.

Tony Neal
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Joined: Oct 27 2006

Yes you can do short moves like that with a Steadicam, as long as you learn to move sideways very smoothly and manually compensate for the natural tendency for even a well-balanced rig to sway slightly one way as you start the move and then the other way as you slow down and stop. That slow, wallowing movement is the Steadicam signature and takes a lot of practice to eliminate. So unless you are determined to master the Steadicam and prepared to put in a lot of practice you risk swapping one sort of wobble for another.

The Merlin is perfect for the Z1/FX1 and although can be hard on you arm and shoulder at first, you do get use to it eventually (or you can always buy the arm and vest).
I did a friends wedding back in the summer using an FX1 on a Merlin and got some of the best wedding footage I've ever shot, including the shot I've always wanted to get - tracking the couple from the altar down the aisle and out of the church in one smooth take - fabulous !

The Steadicam can completely transform your work if you are prepared to put in the hours .

H and M Video
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Joined: Jun 5 1999

Hi David

As Flame suggests you might like to try a monopod first. Don't extend the support and hold it out a wee bit from your body the leg weight can keep the cam. steady. Not perfect but it works.

Harry

PC Specialist 3Gz Dual Core, Premiere CS3, Encore CS3, After Effects CS3, Matrox RT.X2, Panasonic HD HS-300, Z1E & PMW-EX3 Cams.
 
Now with a PC Specialist Quad Core i7-3770, 16GB RAM, 180GB SSD, GeForce GTX560 Ti Graphics Card, Blu-Ray & DVD R/W Burners and can't wait to set it up. Now up and running.  What a difference in Blu-Ray footage.

David L Lewis
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Joined: Jan 11 2006

Ive got a 561B monopod so I might try some of your suggestions.
I have been looking at the Merlin Steadicam but can it really take the weight of a Z1 or FX1.
I presume you can by the Steadicam at first and then if the funds allow and theres a need, the arm and vest at a later date?

David L Lewis

Hello I'm in Mensa, Is there anything you would like me to explain to you?

Tony Neal
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Joined: Oct 27 2006

The Merlin was designed with Z1/FX1-sized camcorders in mind - the brochure and manual both show the Merlin flying an FX1.

The Z1/FX1 flies perfectly on a Merlin - fairly heavy until you get used to it but the weight gives you greater stability and smoother shots. The lighter palmcorders are a little more difficult to control - especially in a breeze.

You can buy the Merlin arm and vest as an afterthought - it also includes a metal gimbal that can take heavier camcorders. But the beauty of the Merlin on its own is its lightness and portability. You can fold it and pack it into a camera bag and take it where other steadicams cannot go - mines been on three holidays already.

stuart621
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Joined: Oct 24 2001

There's also the "smoothcam" filter in FCP which can iron out a few wobblies, apparently :)

dvnam
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Joined: Oct 16 2006
hedleyw
hedleyw's picture
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Joined: Oct 3 2000

Two ideas David:

Firstly, as you already have a monopod, experiment with holding the camera upside down. You can flip the video 180 degrees in post.

Where there is a suitable surface how about a tripod dolly?

Cheers,

Hedley

Hedley Wright Web design: brettvalestudios.co.uk/webdesign.html Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/bvstudios

Chrome
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Joined: May 26 1999

Sorry mate, but it's your age... simply put the hand held shots get much shakier when you get past a certain age... :)

H and M Video
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Joined: Jun 5 1999
Chrome wrote:
Sorry mate, but it's your age... simply put the hand held shots get much shakier when you get past a certain age... :)

Too true, Chrome, that is what happened to Sandy Lyle and is happening to Colin Montgomerie in the golfing scene.

A tripod and a monopod are the equivalants of a zimmer in the video world. :D

Harry

PC Specialist 3Gz Dual Core, Premiere CS3, Encore CS3, After Effects CS3, Matrox RT.X2, Panasonic HD HS-300, Z1E & PMW-EX3 Cams.
 
Now with a PC Specialist Quad Core i7-3770, 16GB RAM, 180GB SSD, GeForce GTX560 Ti Graphics Card, Blu-Ray & DVD R/W Burners and can't wait to set it up. Now up and running.  What a difference in Blu-Ray footage.

Z Cheema
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Joined: Nov 17 2003

Tell me about it, I try and use them as a style now....

What you need is management training where you learn to walk with a book on your head and walk past partitions in offices without your head bobbing up and down, that's how I did my training

H and M Video
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Joined: Jun 5 1999
Quote:
you learn to walk with a book on your head

The secretarial studies students had to do this at the college where I worked. Best done with Favell's accounting book which was nice and light. Otherwise known as having a head for figures :D

Harry

PC Specialist 3Gz Dual Core, Premiere CS3, Encore CS3, After Effects CS3, Matrox RT.X2, Panasonic HD HS-300, Z1E & PMW-EX3 Cams.
 
Now with a PC Specialist Quad Core i7-3770, 16GB RAM, 180GB SSD, GeForce GTX560 Ti Graphics Card, Blu-Ray & DVD R/W Burners and can't wait to set it up. Now up and running.  What a difference in Blu-Ray footage.

Arthur.S
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Joined: Jun 2 1999

In the context of filming a wedding, I'd plump for the glidetrack. Considering one for next year. The attraction to me is: A. You can get absolutely perfect shots as wanted by David. B. It can stay on the tripod for the speeches, service, etc. No faffing about with yet another piece of gear. I think it was FX that originally recommended it? Be interesting to get some feedback from him now he's been using it for a while.

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001
Arthur.S wrote:
In the context of filming a wedding, I'd plump for the glidetrack. It can stay on the tripod for the speeches, service, etc.

What! - 3 foot of track stuck out into space :( I rarely have the luxury of a few spare inches in the Churches we film in, let alone a few feet.
Speeches would be even funnier. Guests would be parking their pints on 'the shelf' :D

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Chrome
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Joined: May 26 1999

Hmm, like branny, I too see problems with the glidetrack... such as children 'scalped' as they race around the tripod using it as a corner in their games of what appears to be 'Gone in 60 seconds' during the reception, or the drunk guest who uses it like Del-Boy tried to use the bar flap in OF&H! :)

Arthur.S
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Joined: Jun 2 1999

Guys, that all sounds like a bonus to me. A quick spin of the head, and you're a video Boudicia! :D What I actually meant was: you could leave it on if you got caught out by time (we all know how time can just 'disappear' particularly when filming a wedding). I wouldn't envisage leaving it on for ever!

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001
Arthur.S wrote:
What I actually meant was: you could leave it on if you got caught out by time (we all know how time can just 'disappear' particularly when filming a wedding). I wouldn't envisage leaving it on for ever!

Stop digging Arthur. :)

Thinks - "I'll just nip out quick through the little church door and film the B&G leaving" - Kerrang!
Thinks - "I'll just lean in the back of the limo to get the champagne shot" - Kerrang!
Thinks - "We're off to reception, I'll just throw the tripod in the boot and slam the . . . " kerrang!!
Can I come and film you in action with this when you get one :D

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Arthur.S
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Joined: Jun 2 1999

Ok....shovel put away now. :D

DAVE M
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Joined: May 17 1999

although I don't go along with leaving it on all the time, there are such things as QR devices you know!