Have an event coming up and just found out that I cannot put a tripod at the foot of the stage. My only option is to mount my camera directly on the stage on a wood mantle piece that is along the staircase to access the stage (it's a highly varnished piece, so it's smooth and non-porous). Oh, and the mount has to hold the weight of a Sony CX500V with a Bescor remote tilt/pan head attached. :)

I've looked at the Fat Gecko systems and some suction cup systems intended for vehicle use, but I'm just not sure of the stability with the camera panning.

Thoughts?

How about a hi-hat with some sandbags? Add some grip tape to the stage if the hi hat still wants to slide all over.

I've had a lot of luck using the 4 suction cup sticky pods - BUT not sticking them down, simply using the stiff rubber sitting on the surface - it also seems to work as a shock absorber. Attach the pan/tilt head to it and it's surprisingly solid.

Suction cups require a very smooth surface in order to grip - including the Fat Gecko double suction cup ones which I have, so if you go that route do make sure you test them on the actual surface first. I have been able to use them on painted doors and they easily hold a panny TM900 which is similar to your cam in form factor and weight.

A safer bet would be to use a large clamp such as the Manfrotto Super Clamp - so long as the edge of the stage or the mantel has a sufficiently narrow and non-sloping edge that it can grip to:

Manfrotto 035C Super Clamp - Brackets Clamps (http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/brackets__clamps/manfrotto_035c_super_clamp/7307_p.html)

Then add a manfrotto heavy duty flex arm to get some height:

Manfrotto 237HD Heavy Duty Flex Arm (http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~6293~categoryid~158.html)

or a rigid Manfrotto extension arm:

Manfrotto 042 Extension Arm (http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~6073~categoryid~158.html)

Both of these plug directly into the superclamp and so cannot unscrew themselves or come loose - which can happen with friction arms.

You need to top either with a suitable ball head to enable you to level the horizon etc accurately.

Pete

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

After doing a lot of research, I think I'm going with this:
Delvcam TT1048 Video Big Foot Camera Mount TT1048 B&H Photo

Between sandbags and gaffers tape, I think I can get a lot of different uses out of it without a big investment.