using a truck crane, how to stabilize?

[Fredrik Gotesson]

Hi! I will soon start to shoot a short film. And we're going to use a truck crane to shoot some of the scenes. I test filmed yesterday, and in went pretty good. I was trying to use my glidecam to make it smooth, but it was hard using it while hanging there. My legs was getting in the way all the time. (see picture). Do you have any suggestions on what to use? Heres a testfilm: http://www.theshape.se/kran.wmv

Pictures:
http://www.theshape.se/kran.jpg
http://www.theshape.se/kran2.jpg
http://www.theshape.se/kran3.jpg

Thanks!

[Brian Drysdale]

You could try hard mounting it to the seat with a Garfield type mount rather than using a vest.

[Andrew Stone]

I would be seriously worried about rolling forward out of that bucket seat while operating your rig. One false move and the weight of the rig could have you falling in a moment.

Having said that you might to consider asking the forum admin, Chris Hurd, to move this thread into the Steadicam forum here on DVinfo. You will get way more eyeballs from Steadicam Operators who have experience operating from cranes and lifts. Unless they check "new posts" this thread will not be seen by many.

[Fredrik Gotesson]

The bucket seat is used for paragliding, and the person sitting in it is well secured. You can have it upside down without falling out. But thanks for thinking about the safety! The reason why I didnt post this in the steadicam forum is because I'm not sure if steadicam is the right method to use. Thanks for you answer!

[Buba Kastorski]

Fredrik, you're planning some very challenging shots;
as my first choice I would try to hire experienced RC chopper pilot with the chopper equipped for the aerial photography, and if that is not an option, using crane I'd try to get standing, or maybe even horizontal position, sitting is probably the most awkward position to operate a steadicam;

[Charles Papert]

The first thing that comes to mind is the rarely seen and long gone Tyler Moxie Mount, which was designed to hang from a construction crane like that. It's most famous appearance was carrying Peter O'Toole around the movie set-within-a-movie in "The Stunt Man"--which should be on everyone's rental list if you haven't seen it.

Steadicam is almost always used in conjunction with a crane designed for film work, although there's no reason you can't use it hard or soft-mounted in a cherry-picker or condor. Hanging from a construction crane though--probably the closest is the hook and release system used with the mighty Strada crane (.:: Strada Cranes : Strada Camera Crane, Steadicam, Hook &amp: Release Systems - The Screening Room ::.). I've managed to avoid this type of daredevil stunt myself (done plenty of step on and offs with standard film cranes).

Whatever you end up doing, please be beyond careful...!