Stabilizing Our Shots
BY ROBBY BROWN, TEMPE AZ - We are less than three weeks away from leaving for Zambia. I feel a lot of things about that but mostly excitement. I'm a little nervous, but nothing big. We have a ton of support from around here in the states and back in Zambia. It's up to us to not let them down. We have a great script, lots of talent, awesome teamwork and very dedicated producer/directors. We're all putting in 110% to make these two films their absolute best. Unfortunately, we don't have quite enough funding for EVERYBODY to go yet. But with all the support and light shining on this project, I believe things will work out.
I found a website about how to make a $14 steady cam. A steady cam is a series of tubes and counter weights held together by just a few nuts and bolts. Incredibly easy to make and highly effective. It helps stabalize your shots and also makes walking with a camera very smooth. Movement enhances the viewer's enjoyment of nearly all films. Documentary filmmaking doesn't always allow time to stablize yourself when you have to follow somebody. This little steady cam will really help me while I'm shooting the documentary VOICE OF AN AFRICAN NATION.
Another plus, it's small enough to fit easily in our luggage. The website shows you how to make a steady cam for a small, miniDV camera. Those cameras are much lighter than the SONY HVR-Z1U we're using. So I'll have to take that into consideration while making it. I'm going down to Home Depot this weekend to pick up the stuff. Then, I'll spend the rest of my time practicing.