shooting while walking backwards at DVinfo.net

Craig Hollenback · November 26th, 2003, 05:41 PM

I have a situation that requires me to shoot and walk backwards while keeping people in frame about 8 feet away. It was quite easy with my XL-1 as the stabilizer is pretty terrific, but now I need to accomplish this with the DVX-100. I use a monopod and a belt with pocket cup for all extended "semi-fixed" shots but it adds too much bounce while walking. I've tried walking forwards while shooting over my shoulder and using the pop out view-finder and have found this to be best. There's no time for a dolly, etc. Has anyone had experience with the varizoom flowpod? Would this take the shake out? Thanks, Craig

K. Forman · November 26th, 2003, 08:22 PM

Here are some cheap fast fixes that might work-
Have someone pull you in a wheel chair or shopping cart while you shoot. This would be smoother than walking, and you would be less likely to stumble.

November 26th, 2003, 08:47 PM

When we do a backwards shoot I have my main man Phil or Dave guide me as they know the flow I like. I have had others try to guide me or walk me yet they can't seem to work in unison.

We have done this to the point it’s like dancing….find someone you can trust and let the rest go.

Jarred Land · November 27th, 2003, 09:42 AM

you can also prop the camera backwards (lens pointing behind you) over your shoulder so you are looking right at the LCD (flipped backwards) and walk forwards (normal) away from the subject... takes some getting used to though.

John Hudson · November 27th, 2003, 01:43 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Forman : Here are some cheap fast fixes that might work-
Have someone pull you in a wheel chair or shopping cart while you shoot. This would be smoother than walking, and you would be less likely to stumble. -->>>

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!!!! GREAT FIX!

K. Forman · November 27th, 2003, 02:37 PM

<<<-- EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!!!! GREAT FIX! -->>>

Be afraid... Be very afraid! It is scary when there is someone else that thinks like me ;)

Juan P. Pertierra · November 27th, 2003, 02:54 PM

I have a related question...i was doing a similar shoot two days ago, but I was using a Bogen Manfroto tripod dolly. Even though everything is rock solid, and the floor is smooth...the floor was waxed and there are small variations that when the dolly is moving makes the camera oscillate and the video shakes...any suggestions?

Jarred Land · November 27th, 2003, 02:58 PM

take the little wheels off and buy some bigger air puff ones from home depot.

Brian Gauthier · November 27th, 2003, 07:00 PM

or if it is more of the run and gun style try to get in step with the subject... when the subjects left foot moves foward your left foot moves backwards... it keeps bounce to a minimum...

Chears
Goat

Peter J Alessandria · November 28th, 2003, 08:39 PM

juan - (re: smoothing out tripod dolly) I got 20ft length of rubber runner that's 36" (wide enough for my dolly) that I lay over carpet, uneven floor surfaces etc. Sometimes it works better than others. The runner is sold off rolls in hardware stores and is what you see on the inside of the front door lobby of a public building usually put down to stop people from slipping after rain/snow. The ridges that channel the rain water (maybe 1/16" deep) help keep the wheels rolling straight and smooth.

Mikel Low · November 29th, 2003, 11:49 PM

Just wanted to state ...

You folks are absolutely incredible with all of your constant creative solutions. I've run into very few shooting problems just by reading the posts on this board. Thanks!

November 26th, 2003, 05:41 PM	#1
Craig Hollenback Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Key West Posts: 247	shooting while walking backwards I have a situation that requires me to shoot and walk backwards while keeping people in frame about 8 feet away. It was quite easy with my XL-1 as the stabilizer is pretty terrific, but now I need to accomplish this with the DVX-100. I use a monopod and a belt with pocket cup for all extended "semi-fixed" shots but it adds too much bounce while walking. I've tried walking forwards while shooting over my shoulder and using the pop out view-finder and have found this to be best. There's no time for a dolly, etc. Has anyone had experience with the varizoom flowpod? Would this take the shake out? Thanks, Craig

November 29th, 2003, 11:49 PM	#11
Mikel Low Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 39	Just wanted to state ... You folks are absolutely incredible with all of your constant creative solutions. I've run into very few shooting problems just by reading the posts on this board. Thanks! __________________ Cheers! K. Mikel Low

November 26th, 2003, 08:22 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Here are some cheap fast fixes that might work- Have someone pull you in a wheel chair or shopping cart while you shoot. This would be smoother than walking, and you would be less likely to stumble.

November 26th, 2003, 08:47 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	When we do a backwards shoot I have my main man Phil or Dave guide me as they know the flow I like. I have had others try to guide me or walk me yet they can't seem to work in unison. We have done this to the point it’s like dancing….find someone you can trust and let the rest go.

November 27th, 2003, 09:42 AM	#4
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	you can also prop the camera backwards (lens pointing behind you) over your shoulder so you are looking right at the LCD (flipped backwards) and walk forwards (normal) away from the subject... takes some getting used to though.

November 27th, 2003, 01:43 PM	#5
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Forman : Here are some cheap fast fixes that might work- Have someone pull you in a wheel chair or shopping cart while you shoot. This would be smoother than walking, and you would be less likely to stumble. -->>> EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!!!! GREAT FIX!

November 27th, 2003, 02:37 PM	#6
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	<<<-- EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!!!! GREAT FIX! -->>> Be afraid... Be very afraid! It is scary when there is someone else that thinks like me ;)

November 27th, 2003, 02:54 PM	#7
Juan P. Pertierra Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 479	I have a related question...i was doing a similar shoot two days ago, but I was using a Bogen Manfroto tripod dolly. Even though everything is rock solid, and the floor is smooth...the floor was waxed and there are small variations that when the dolly is moving makes the camera oscillate and the video shakes...any suggestions?

November 27th, 2003, 02:58 PM	#8
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	take the little wheels off and buy some bigger air puff ones from home depot.

November 27th, 2003, 07:00 PM	#9
Brian Gauthier Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: honolulu, hi Posts: 54	or if it is more of the run and gun style try to get in step with the subject... when the subjects left foot moves foward your left foot moves backwards... it keeps bounce to a minimum... Chears Goat

November 28th, 2003, 08:39 PM	#10
Peter J Alessandria Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 293	juan - (re: smoothing out tripod dolly) I got 20ft length of rubber runner that's 36" (wide enough for my dolly) that I lay over carpet, uneven floor surfaces etc. Sometimes it works better than others. The runner is sold off rolls in hardware stores and is what you see on the inside of the front door lobby of a public building usually put down to stop people from slipping after rain/snow. The ridges that channel the rain water (maybe 1/16" deep) help keep the wheels rolling straight and smooth.