How to get this opening shot? at DVinfo.net

Chris Low · September 18th, 2007, 02:25 PM

How is this opening shot done? It starts from ceiling height, drops to skim just above the audience then does a complete 360 behind Ellen on stage in one continuous shot.

Is it a crane? I don't see one in the audience, nor do I see any contraptions rigged up to the ceiling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50k8vts2uU

Thanks for any pointers!

Giroud Francois · September 18th, 2007, 02:32 PM

probably it is a steadicam with a guy on a crane or cable.

Michael Y Wong · September 18th, 2007, 02:37 PM

My best guess is elevated platform carrying a skilled steadicam operator, after which the operator is lowered to ground level and proceeds accordingly for the ground level/stage shots.

Dale Stoltzfus · September 18th, 2007, 02:39 PM

I'm almost sure it's a steadicam, but I think he is making use of the steep stairs between the seats. At the beginning, the op is up at the entrance and the cam is pointed at the ceiling. He then walks down the stairs between the bleachers while panning from the ceiling to the stage. The rest is obvious. One big clue: you can tell when the steadicam op gets to the bottom of the stairs and hits level floor at 00:24.

Adam Hoggatt · September 18th, 2007, 02:45 PM

I agree with Michael. I think he starts out on a crane. Theres no way the stairs are that steep. People would fall off. :) The point where he hits the floor is where he gets off and walks forward. If he was walking the entire time the motion would have been more fluid at that point.

Chris Low · September 18th, 2007, 04:11 PM

Thanks, guess I won't be duplicating it anytime soon…

Michael Y Wong · September 18th, 2007, 07:49 PM

If i recall there in the opening sequence of million dollar baby introducing the boxing training facility; employs the exact same technique as the video above.

crane shot lowering to ground level then the camera walks right into the building and proceeds inside all in one single shot.

amazing work if you ask me :)

Dana Salsbury · September 18th, 2007, 09:57 PM

When he spins around, you can't see any crane or platform. My best guess is that he came in on a cable (probably a part of the theater) and when he hit the ground a helper unhooked him to complete the shot. I bet he was pretty proud of himself! It made Ellen look amazing, and I don't even like her.

Travis Cossel · September 18th, 2007, 10:06 PM

A crane could be off to the side, but there sure wouldn't be much room for one to hide. I'm betting this was a cable/steadicam setup.

Erwin Keizer · September 18th, 2007, 11:15 PM

See for example:

http://www.stradacranes.com/specsonsteadicam.htm

Regards,
Erwin

Michael Y Wong · September 18th, 2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana Salsbury

When he spins around, you can't see any crane or platform.

I would guess that the crane/cables could be easily raised after in the 30 seconds before the camera turns around to show the entire stadium from the host's pov.

Dana Salsbury · September 20th, 2007, 11:15 AM

I just hope the cable didn't whack anyone in the head on its way up!

Vince Baker · September 20th, 2007, 03:37 PM

Not sure if the bride let alone the vicar would be overly keen on you trying this one, (unless of course you don an angel costume maybe?)

September 18th, 2007, 02:25 PM	#1
Chris Low Tourist Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3	How to get this opening shot? How is this opening shot done? It starts from ceiling height, drops to skim just above the audience then does a complete 360 behind Ellen on stage in one continuous shot. Is it a crane? I don't see one in the audience, nor do I see any contraptions rigged up to the ceiling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50k8vts2uU Thanks for any pointers!

September 18th, 2007, 02:37 PM	#3
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	My best guess is elevated platform carrying a skilled steadicam operator, after which the operator is lowered to ground level and proceeds accordingly for the ground level/stage shots. __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

September 18th, 2007, 02:39 PM	#4
Dale Stoltzfus Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA United States Posts: 257	I'm almost sure it's a steadicam, but I think he is making use of the steep stairs between the seats. At the beginning, the op is up at the entrance and the cam is pointed at the ceiling. He then walks down the stairs between the bleachers while panning from the ceiling to the stage. The rest is obvious. One big clue: you can tell when the steadicam op gets to the bottom of the stairs and hits level floor at 00:24. __________________ Mountjoy! Studios - Promotional Videography & Graphic Design MountjoyStudios.net

September 18th, 2007, 07:49 PM	#7
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	If i recall there in the opening sequence of million dollar baby introducing the boxing training facility; employs the exact same technique as the video above. crane shot lowering to ground level then the camera walks right into the building and proceeds inside all in one single shot. amazing work if you ask me :) __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

September 18th, 2007, 09:57 PM	#8
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	When he spins around, you can't see any crane or platform. My best guess is that he came in on a cable (probably a part of the theater) and when he hit the ground a helper unhooked him to complete the shot. I bet he was pretty proud of himself! It made Ellen look amazing, and I don't even like her. __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

September 18th, 2007, 02:32 PM	#2
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	probably it is a steadicam with a guy on a crane or cable.

September 18th, 2007, 02:45 PM	#5
Adam Hoggatt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 126	I agree with Michael. I think he starts out on a crane. Theres no way the stairs are that steep. People would fall off. :) The point where he hits the floor is where he gets off and walks forward. If he was walking the entire time the motion would have been more fluid at that point.

September 18th, 2007, 04:11 PM	#6
Chris Low Tourist Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3	Thanks, guess I won't be duplicating it anytime soon…

September 18th, 2007, 10:06 PM	#9
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	A crane could be off to the side, but there sure wouldn't be much room for one to hide. I'm betting this was a cable/steadicam setup. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

September 18th, 2007, 11:15 PM	#10
Erwin Keizer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 29	See for example: http://www.stradacranes.com/specsonsteadicam.htm Regards, Erwin

September 20th, 2007, 11:15 AM	#12
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	I just hope the cable didn't whack anyone in the head on its way up! __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

September 20th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#13
Vince Baker Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 118	Not sure if the bride let alone the vicar would be overly keen on you trying this one, (unless of course you don an angel costume maybe?)