August 7, 2004

I've always been fascinated by those great smooth shots that most professional film makers create when shooting film or video. You know - the Steadicam guys! They run up and down stairs and over uneven terrain chasing their film subjects! I scoured the web for something I could afford but they are all expensive. And then there is the other extreme...the "poor man's steadicam." It's called the $14 steadicam.... and it was just that - 3 galvanized pipes, end caps, 2 bolts, washers and a 2.5lb weight. About $14 of parts from the local HomeDepot. Weight from Oshmans.

Please note - I did not invent this! I've provided the link below if you want to build your own.
I'm just passing along the good word...

Here is the link to the guy's web site that shows you how to build your own.
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

It didn't take long to build. I would say about a half hour. Now this thing doesn't make you an incredible smooth film videographer by just using it. You have to practice. So on the same day that I built it, I rounded up my kiddos and chased them around the backyard with my camera on the steadicam mount. I will say this...you want a workout...chase your kids around the yard with this thing. I was perspiring like a tall cold ice glass of water sitting outside in the Texas heat! Man, what a work out. I had to stop a couple of time just to catch my breath. On top of concentrating to keep this thing still...I had to direct and film at the same time - lots of work. But it's been an eye opening experience. I've bought this other book that will show me how to build a better one and other neat stuff, but for now I'll practice on the $14 one!

Anyway I've posted a movie of what it looks like when you film with this steadicam. It's not that great but there are some brief moments of fluidity. Click on the link below and you'll be taken to the movie.

If you interested - I built a much better one click on this link to see.