Here's my dilema: I've been shooting short films for about 2 years now, and have recently been asked to do a documentary on a local political convention. Having never done a documentary, I'm not sure on how i want to stablize my shots. I can't use my tripod, because I'll constantly be moving, and i can't use my glidecam because my back can't take it (i need to shoot 7 hours a day for three days straight). Does anybody have any ideas on how i could do this cheaply (roughly $500 or $600)? Or if not cheaply, then what are some other options? My only thoughts are to rent something pretty heavy duty, but I'd really prefer not to rent. So if anybody has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

(I'll be shooting this with two Canon GL-2's with Azden SGM 2X mics connected to the camera through Beachtek DXA-4P adapters.)

Check out the Marzpak. Not sure if I spelled that right. Do a search on here and you will find it. It might be exactly what you need.

Have you thought about a monopod?

Kurt,

I have a few questions for you before I recommend a solution.

What do you currently own for tripod sticks -and- for a tripod head?

You state that you will be shooting with 2 GL2's and for 7 hours a day... How many people will you have on for crew during the shooting schedule? What is the second camera for?

looking forward to hearing more about the shoot.

- don

Don,

I'm actually using Libec M20's for now. Which i know are cheaper, but until now have done the job for me. As far as the crew goes, we have 7 people on the crew all together, with only 4 people dedicated to camera operation. The second camera is being used to get completely different shots. Each day, one camera is going to follow a politician through the entire day at the convention, while the other camera will be following a person through the crowd for the day. Hope this helps, if you need any other info please let me know. thanks

-kurt

Have you seen the DVCaddie?
www.dvcaddie.com

Wow! Nice candy, indeed!



O... that's "caddie"... sorry! :)