Need Advice for Documentary at DVinfo.net

Kurt Wojda · March 17th, 2003, 01:44 AM

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.)

Dylan Couper · March 17th, 2003, 10:26 AM

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.

K. Forman · March 17th, 2003, 10:31 AM

Have you thought about a monopod?

Don Berube · March 17th, 2003, 06:21 PM

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

Kurt Wojda · March 17th, 2003, 06:57 PM

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

John Struhar · April 8th, 2003, 06:21 PM

Have you seen the DVCaddie?
www.dvcaddie.com

Cosmin Rotaru · April 9th, 2003, 05:17 AM

Wow! Nice candy, indeed!

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

March 17th, 2003, 01:44 AM	#1
Kurt Wojda New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Angola, NY Posts: 6	Need Advice for Documentary 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.)

March 17th, 2003, 10:26 AM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	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. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 17th, 2003, 06:21 PM	#4
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	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 __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

March 17th, 2003, 10:31 AM	#3
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Have you thought about a monopod?

March 17th, 2003, 06:57 PM	#5
Kurt Wojda New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Angola, NY Posts: 6	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

April 8th, 2003, 06:21 PM	#6
John Struhar New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Creston, IA Posts: 13	Have you seen the DVCaddie? www.dvcaddie.com

April 9th, 2003, 05:17 AM	#7
Cosmin Rotaru Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Romania, Timisoara Posts: 453	Wow! Nice candy, indeed! O... that's "caddie"... sorry! :)