The Absolute Cheapest Way to Do a Dolly Move? at DVinfo.net

Anton Chernenko · October 29th, 2010, 02:20 AM

Have you guys seen this? The Absolute Cheapest Way to Do a Dolly Move

I am going to give it try today, their examples look pretty good, but it is similar to l"the absolute cheapest way to do panning with ordinary photo head", trying to do it as smoothly as possible

Andy Wilkinson · October 29th, 2010, 02:28 AM

OK, maybe I'm wrong but this looks like a pretty good way to get the tripod to slip and smash your camera hard on the floor to me - especially on a smooth tiled floor! I'd never do anything like that in front of a paying client either.

With care I'm sure (as in the demo) it's possible to get something "acceptable". However, tripod dollies (we have one, and a table top dolly - both from B Hague) really don't cost a lot of money - really - and are much cheaper than camera replacement costs.

Peer Landa · October 29th, 2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anton Chernenko

their examples look pretty good

Well, you still would need a slider if you are gonna do sideways dollies.

-- peer

Mike Watson · October 29th, 2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

I'd never do anything like that in front of a paying client either.

Not every paying client can afford the upcharge for a jib or a dolly. The ones who can't would be thrilled to see a move like that on a budget they CAN afford.

There is a lot of of stuff I read about online that I would never do in front of a paying client - this is not one of those things.

Assuming you had a firm hold on your camera (as instructed in the video), even if you went so low your tripod legs started to slip out from under you... I can't see how this would cause any damage.

Don't be a killjoy. Different people have different levels of skill and different production values.

Dan Brockett · October 29th, 2010, 09:32 PM

I have been doing this move for years. It works for certain things pretty well.

OTOH, my IndieSlider 24" only cost me $99.00 and clients have been thrilled with some of the moves I have shot for them with it. Anyone in this business can afford $99.00.

Dan

Kyle Root · October 29th, 2010, 10:03 PM

I have to admit, that is pretty neat. I never would have thought of that move.

I can see how that would work quite well if you are outside in the grass or on thick carpet.

I'm going to try and work on this move. lol

Last summer I built a dolly and track using the Digital Juice Dolly ideas. It was about $80 when all said and done and works pretty well. But for times when there is no time to set it up, this move would be a good substitute.

Ray Barber · October 30th, 2010, 02:29 AM

Just add the Free Steadicam and you're away.

YouTube - Free DIY Steadicam/stabilizer NO HARDWARE REQUIRED

He need to do some work on his homemade lens hood :)

Damian Heffernan · October 30th, 2010, 05:51 AM

Very cool. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.

Johannes Gruenig · November 3rd, 2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

I have been doing this move for years. It works for certain things pretty well.

OTOH, my IndieSlider 24" only cost me $99.00 and clients have been thrilled with some of the moves I have shot for them with it. Anyone in this business can afford $99.00.

Dan

Hey Dan,

Do you mean the indiSLIDERmini? I just googled the indiSLIDER 24" and the website says it's $399.

How does the mini compare to the pro in terms of smoothness of motion?

Many Thanks,
-Johannes

Nigel Barker · November 3rd, 2010, 05:55 AM

This kind of move is even easier with a monopod with a video head like the Manfrotto 561BHDV which actually has feet to stop it skittering across a smooth tiled floor. Manfrotto Fluid Video Monopod with Head - Fluid

Glen Elliott · November 6th, 2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Barber

Just add the Free Steadicam and you're away.

YouTube - Free DIY Steadicam/stabilizer NO HARDWARE REQUIRED

He need to do some work on his homemade lens hood :)

Wow talk about shaky footage! I wonder if the poster of this video actually thinks this even slightly rivals the results of a true steadicam/glidecam?

Mike Watson · November 6th, 2010, 12:41 PM

Probably looks 1000% better than those same moves with no apparatus. I don't think the guy was really looking to replace a Steadicam with a $0.99 bag.

Peer Landa · November 8th, 2010, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Elliott

Wow talk about shaky footage! I wonder if the poster of this video actually thinks this even slightly rivals the results of a true steadicam/glidecam?

Actually, the low crab-angle shots of the girl on the scooter skateboard aren't bad at all.

-- peer

Jim Martin · November 13th, 2010, 05:55 PM

Wheelchair.........

Jim Martin
FilmTools.com

October 29th, 2010, 02:20 AM	#1
Anton Chernenko New Boot Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 20	The Absolute Cheapest Way to Do a Dolly Move? Have you guys seen this? The Absolute Cheapest Way to Do a Dolly Move I am going to give it try today, their examples look pretty good, but it is similar to l"the absolute cheapest way to do panning with ordinary photo head", trying to do it as smoothly as possible Last edited by Anton Chernenko; October 29th, 2010 at 02:21 AM. Reason: grammar

October 29th, 2010, 02:28 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	OK, maybe I'm wrong but this looks like a pretty good way to get the tripod to slip and smash your camera hard on the floor to me - especially on a smooth tiled floor! I'd never do anything like that in front of a paying client either. With care I'm sure (as in the demo) it's possible to get something "acceptable". However, tripod dollies (we have one, and a table top dolly - both from B Hague) really don't cost a lot of money - really - and are much cheaper than camera replacement costs. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

October 29th, 2010, 10:03 PM	#6
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 881	I have to admit, that is pretty neat. I never would have thought of that move. I can see how that would work quite well if you are outside in the grass or on thick carpet. I'm going to try and work on this move. lol Last summer I built a dolly and track using the Digital Juice Dolly ideas. It was about $80 when all said and done and works pretty well. But for times when there is no time to set it up, this move would be a good substitute. __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

October 30th, 2010, 02:29 AM	#7
Ray Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Posts: 103	Just add the Free Steadicam and you're away. YouTube - Free DIY Steadicam/stabilizer NO HARDWARE REQUIRED He need to do some work on his homemade lens hood :) __________________ Six out of seven dwarves are not Happy

October 30th, 2010, 05:51 AM	#8
Damian Heffernan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: c Australia Posts: 234	Very cool. Sometimes the simplest things are the best. __________________ http://onarafilms.com/ http://gentlespirit.com.au/

October 29th, 2010, 09:32 PM	#5
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	I have been doing this move for years. It works for certain things pretty well. OTOH, my IndieSlider 24" only cost me $99.00 and clients have been thrilled with some of the moves I have shot for them with it. Anyone in this business can afford $99.00. Dan

November 3rd, 2010, 05:55 AM	#10
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	This kind of move is even easier with a monopod with a video head like the Manfrotto 561BHDV which actually has feet to stop it skittering across a smooth tiled floor. Manfrotto Fluid Video Monopod with Head - Fluid

November 6th, 2010, 12:41 PM	#12
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Probably looks 1000% better than those same moves with no apparatus. I don't think the guy was really looking to replace a Steadicam with a $0.99 bag.

November 13th, 2010, 05:55 PM	#14
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	Wheelchair......... Jim Martin FilmTools.com