Glidetrack - perfect for weddings!
 

I am so pleased with my new toy, the Glidetrack, that i thought I'd let you good people see the results, literally thrown together from the morning of a wedding last saturday:

http://www.vimeo.com/1189963

ok, so it's a clip that makes no sense :) but it was just to show off how effective and cinematic dolly-tracking can be, and unlike my glidecam, i get PERFECT results every single shot! oh, and it takes all of a minute to set up...it'll now be used a lot for future weddings!

one happy customer here then!

http://www.glidetrack.com

cheers

Richard
http://www.fxfilms.co.uk/blog

hi richard,
looks interesting but
a) it doesnt look that long, web site doesnt seem to mention its length
b) it doesnt look stable on tripod with camera at one end,perhaps you can confirm as I dont see how this would support a canon xh-a1
just my observations, can you confirm either of the above, cheers john

That was my first thought as well when I saw the tripod/glidetrack combo, I do see a very good use for it in controlled situations like the shots they did of the Porsche or when making a short movie.

I think you summed it up perfectly Noa. By it's nature, you are going to be "hands on" during gliding. You obviously have to engage common sense, and realise that you are putting something on top of your tripod that can DRAMATICALLY alter its centre of gravity.

As such, I would always recommend you remove the camera from the tripod head when not in use. I use quick release mounts so it takes almost zero time. I'd do this as a matter of course even with a normal tripod. Hands up everybody thats had a drunk guest stumble into a tripod?

So, by it's nature, you are holding it as you gluide, one hand on the carriage and the other on the end stop/foot.

Anyway, here's a shot of one of the early prototypes on a tripod at full travel. Travel is 1m.

Brilliant!! I love this thing. What a great idea. Too bad I don't have the cash for one of these. This would really add some dramatic smooth shots to my arsenal. Right now I'm using a Glidecam for similar shots, but I really like the smoothness of a fixed dolly-type shot. Very cool product and I've enjoyed the footage taken with. Richard, I liked the clip where you motion tracked the date to the tabletop during the bride prep. Great idea and well executed.

Mine just came in. Thanks Alastair. 2 day's shipping from the UK to the Netherlands is really quick.
The only thing done so far done with it is unboxing. Looks and feels very sturdy. I don't think it will bow under the weight of an A1+WA+mic.

Looks cool, I wish there were a way it could colapse on the fly. I do alot of running and gunning (weddings) and I dont think I would have the tim eto take it off and on my tripod.

Easy! Just fit the track with a tripod quick release. You have a couple of options, you can either fit it between the tripod and the head as shown, or, you could fit it with a quick release bracket and put it on top of the head, then screw your camera direct to the carriage.

Quick Update. Look to have found an option for supplying you guys in the USA that will keep the postage costs down.

This thing looks so awesome, maybe next near, after we get a decent tripod. I still think the kittens shot is the best. Brides would love that

Now THAT is exciting news. :) I am VERY interested in getting one of these, and of course keeping the costs down is a good thing. Gotta bring in some more cash before I consider this seriously, but I intend to be in touch on buying one of these within the next 3 months.

Amen to that!

Keep us informed when we (US) can have the option to buy!

lot of US company are selling this for tool machining at very competitive price.
exmple :http://www.automation4less.com/store...R35%2Dxxxx

you can even choose the length of rail, number of roller on the moving part (4 should be enough). cost is about 200$ for 100cm length.
you just need to add a quickrelease plate on the moving part (for the cam) and manage to fix the rail on the tripod.

Personally i use some ball bearing rail for rack , it is ok while the length is shorter (about 45cm ), but it was free.

I really like the look of this glidetrack gizmo. Looks like a very smart idea. Want to sell them in NZ? Need an agent? :-)

Alastair, would it be feasible to mount a QR plate on the bottom side of the Glidetrack.
Then use a tripod with a 501HDV head already attached.
Then you could simply slide the Glidetrack onto the tripod and lock it down, and attach and remove quickly and easily as needed.

I know that it might seem strange to use 2 tripod heads (one on tripod, locked so it doesn't pan or tilt) one on Glidetrack (Most likely a small 701HDV head).

This way I could still use my tripods for whatever purpose I need.

Michael,
in this thread http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/dolly-tra...ght-video.html is a picture of the glidetrack on top of my 503 head. I'm still searching for a cheap head on top of the glidetrack, but you'll get the idea.

Absolutely!

YES! I have a stabilizer, but I'm really into the 'ninja' technique of motion shots without one. Even so, I can't do this stuff without a dolly.

I'm also interested in this as a tool at the ceremony to slide my camera to the side when the groomsman steps in the way. It would also create some interest to boring tripod shots.

The discipline would be moving the camera smoothly down the track without surges. Is there a trick to that?

BTW, I would think you could attach the ends to the base of the tripod for support.

I don't know about using this for an entire ceremony. The reason being that you would probably get a bit of flex in the bar, when needing to be at an extreme opposite end for a long period of time. And while I do agree that it could give some beautiful moving shots for a ceremony, like reveals, it is simply too long to mount on a tripod discretely for a ceremony. Especially up front.

I currently use and love a DvMulti Rig Pro for Ceremony and Reception use. And generally am on a tripod for a ceremony, except for the processional and recessional. Sometimes I might be all DVMR during and outdoor ceremony. Never really had an issue with groomsman being in front of my camera (due to camera placement).

I'm really interested in the Glidetrack for establishing shots of the venues, as well as the possibility of using it during the first dance on a tripod and also for some dramatic low angle gliding shots (side to side and back to front) on the floor.

You guys would actually consider dragging this thing into a church and using it during a ceremony? Get another camera. :)

Dollies, smooth shooter vests, glide cams, jibs, etc., all during the service... no wonder we get a bad rep with the clergy.

Rick, since you shoot all tripod, I thought that you would have great interest in this. =)
I didn't agree with Dana either, in using it during a ceremony.
Even though the setup time is minuscule and it is a real compact solution to dolly shots. It's still too obtrusive to use for a ceremony. And remember, this is coming from someone who uses a DvMulti Rig all day.

I juts would like something like this for dramatic establishing shots and dramatic creative, fluid dancing shots for the important dances. Of course I would have an additional 1-2 cameras filming during these as well for core shots. Then use the Glidetrack shots for dramatic cutaways.

I know that you probably think that I am nuts, bringing all of this audio and video equipment to shot a wedding. But for the way I edit, the more variety of shots that I have the easier the edit is. And my edits are pretty straight forward, opening montage edit through processional, ceremony as it using straight cuts (edited down some if needed), bridge song for processional cocktail hour, and all important dances as it A/B cut, with some additional shots mixed in (maybe toasts, cake cutting, etc.). Then some dance montages mixed down to 3-5 songs. all with audio being the main focus to my edit and build the shots around this.

I don't use much slow motion anymore, except for impact, so I figure that some rock steady. slow gliding dolly type shots, could be used for some dramatic moments in the video, without the need of much slow motion.

Alastair Brown's videos on Vimeo

Have a trawl through any of my clips and you should get a feel for how when I use it. It tends to be something you reach for in the less pressurised parts of the day. The beauty of it is, it only takes seconds to setup shoot and then move back to more traditional work. I normally have it sitting tucked to the side ready to jump on/off as and when I get the urge.

I think our three cameras are enough, and we always have a good shot, but...

I haven't seen one of these in person, but our weddings are outside almost exclusively, and our tripods are as far away from the ceremony to the side as possible - often in bushes! We wear all black and never use lights. We're not obtrusive -- it's the photographers with the flash bulbs and shutter noise.

As far as camera placement, we feel we need to be eye level or a couple feet higher. Otherwise the footage looks too much like a security camera. We have a straight shot most of the time, but when groomsmen stand in the wrong place it seems that sliding the camera over is a lot less intrusive that picking up the whole tripod.

Good point. It also means you don't get the unwanted audio that picking and lifiting a tripod always introduces.

I agree with Alastair, good point.

I wish that we did more outdoor ceremonies, as I prefer them to shoot.
I'm surprised that you do so many outdoor shoots in AZ, because of the heat.

BTW, I notice that our editing styles are similar, as I don't like to use many crossfades or slow motion either. Just straight cuts and real time video.

Also, I like the look of your website, nice and clean. But it could use some work on navigation, as there doesn't seem to be any way to go from page to page without going back a page or back to the main page.

Sorry for the deviation in the post.

Yes but don't you think this "glide thingy" is kind of overkill to thwart that situation? I'd say this gizmo is a distraction all by itself just sitting there.

Besides, if you're shooting as far away as you say you are... sliding a camera 3 feet in either direction wouldn't do any good anyway. You'd need to be within 10 feet of the couple.

The outdoor ceremonies are short and sweet. ;o) We wrapped up a reception at 11:30 a few weeks ago and it was still 105!

Rick, you may be right. I wish I could see the thing in person. I also wish it was all black like my tripod. I have a friend who films weddings with a 3ft crane on his tripod. It all comes down to whether a better final product is more important than a percieved visual distraction... I know. I'll stick some flowers on it!! ;o)

Anything that is not black can be spray painted black.

Alistair. Perhaps you could get the tracks etc powdercoated or anadised Black - though it would push the cost up some more. :-(

I can get them anodised any colour you like. It will indeed cost extra.

SDE with the glidetrack
 

If you even remotely think this piece of equipment will help you get great shots - GET IT. Get it now. Because it will.

Here's an SDE we shot last Aug 16 utilizing it. I was holding back here. I had a lot more glidetrack shots but I figured I'd just use the ones which would serve the narrative.

Zhar and Rodney on Vimeo - forgive the bad encode, it'll do in the meantime.

0:44 - a bit tilted but i could settle for that for the SDE
1:07 - I came in, big room, I saw the long table, It was made for the GT, foreground heaven
2:52 - several feet away and unobtrusive. I could kiss Alastair then and there
2:59 - without explanation, you may just see a old man bored and unaffected by the wedding. But that actually is the father who just suffered a stroke and is ill of many other things. This shot was tricky, gliding while tilting down at the same time.
4:09 - wanted this shot with the bride nearer but I couldn't set up in time. it was all good in the end.

Cheers!

So Jason, for the ceremony, are you simply keeping your camera and Glidetrack attached to your tripod the entire time, and simply picking up the setup and moving it to different locations for the shots.

Or, are you detaching the glidetrack with camera attached and placing it on preset tripods when needed.

And are you still using the Omni-Tracker, or is it history how with the addition of the Glidetrack?

Jason, I think you just switched me from 'want to' to 'have to'.

jason: way to go!

i've got a great bunch of glidetrack clips coming up in my next highlights, i would post it up asap but i'm away this weekend for my sister's wedding :)

I'm picking up and moving Michael. Hate to be bringing a couple more Manfrottos. The OMNI is in hiatus for the meantime. The GT is much more compact and easier to transport.

Thanks!

been really busy with alot of things recently and chronic back pain (not good for editors eh!), but as promised here's that clip (only a very small 'teaser' type clip) with a few glidetrack moments

Taster Wedding Clip (Matt and Kelly) on Vimeo

cheers


________________________
FX Films - the Cinematic Blog

Alistair, do you have a weight rating for this device? I didn't see one on the website and would like to use this with a somewhat larger camera.

I'm still dreaming of all the things I could do with this thing. I've got it on my Christmas list, but $397 is a bit pricey for us right now.

Alastair Brown is a rock star
 

Loved the Glidetrack idea, so last week we ordered one for an upcoming shoot... The client cancelled last minute. We contacted Alastair and he was able to cancel our order and issue a full refund within 24 hours, no questions asked. Now that's a class act! I expected to cover a fee or two but Alastair was able to return our funds in full. Wow! I'm impressed. Hope to use one of these great units in the future. If you're considering adding one to your arsenal, rest assured that Alastair delivers phenomenal customer service.

Has anyone tried to use two tripods, one on each end to make the glidetrack more stable? Or is it stable enough with one tripod in the center? I don't trust myself to provide stabilization as the video camera moves off-balance, near the end of the glidetrack.

Yes. In fact I'm building a Glider rig using the same parts now. I cannot see putting the stress of 9Lb of camera at either end of a center supported track. Just doesn't jive with my engineering sense. So I've located two mounting areas that divide the track into rough thirds. I'm going to mount the track in two strong light stands to see. to reinforce the mounts I'm attaching two intermediate bottom plates made by a friend to keep thread-wear in check.
eventually, I'll have to use tilting heads to manage leveling process. My track in 4' long Whoot! Just need to get back to the project now !

the glidetrack can easily come with two tripod holes, one on either end.

the point is though, having two tripods holding the glidetrack isn't really practical for a wedding?! for corporate, yes...