Leigh:

Keep working at it, I'm seeing improvement!

The first shot, walking straight in at the camera, is one of the best exercises you can do. You can substitute an X on the garage door for your nice new camera as a target. Try putting a corresponding x on the middle of your stabilizer's monitor (make sure to use a dry-erase marker or use a clear overlay, don't mess up your monitor) and then walk in and out trying to keep the x's on top of each other. Make sure to include some stops along the way and hold that frame steady! Walk all the way in, stop for 5 seconds, then back out, and repeat ad nauseum.

Then, try zooming your camera in halfway, and repeat the exercise. It's much harder, but once you've done that for a while, go back to the wide angle and do it all again--you'll find that you've become a whole lot smoother than you were at the beginning of the practice session.

The slower you move, the more challenging this all is--so try to move as slowly as possible. It's fun to go rushing at things (like in the last shot) but it is more critical to the technique to move slowly.

As I was saying earlier, try doing a version of this where you aren't holding the stabilizer by the post at all. See if that is much smoother, has less floating etc. If so, think about what you might be doing that is causing the float. Also think about your footwork, try to move in a flowing fashion (on the section that you were circling the camera, I "felt" the lurching of each step). Think of yourself as a dolly, moving in a perfectly smooth and steady fashion.

Like I said, keep it up!

Dear Charles,

Thanks for the hint.

Regards
Leigh

newest video
 

Leigh,

I just watched your latest video. They are getting more interesting to watch. You are also moving around which is good. I'm sure glad I can go to school on your video and Charles' comments and exercises.

I really like the quality that DivX gives your shots. Maybe you could go over the steps that you go through to get your video into the DivX format. I'd really like to do the same. You have 52 seconds of larger format video in a 7.3 meg file whereas I have 20 seconds of fair quality video in a 10 meg file size. It isn't fair so I'm switching. Your help would be appreciated.

I'm going out and practise my "X"ercises as suggested by Charles.

Looking forward to your next post.

Terry

Re: newest video
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Terry Thompson : Leigh,
You have 52 seconds of larger format video in a 7.3 meg file whereas I have 20 seconds of fair quality video in a 10 meg file size. It isn't fair so I'm switching. -->>>

Hi Terry,

That is the reason I love divx format. But video quality is little down grade compare to mpeg2 format. I can't afford to put highest video quality on my website in terms of money and video download time.

Regards
Leigh

DivX
 

Leigh,

So.....how do you do it or is there a tutorial on the DivX website? I'll check but hearing from you would be good to.

Terry

Re: DivX
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Terry Thompson : Leigh,

So.....how do you do it or is there a tutorial on the DivX website? I'll check but hearing from you would be good to.

Terry -->>>

Hi Terry,

Here it is.

http://www.divx.com/divx/drdivx/

Regards
Leigh

Hello everyone,

Here is a divx video.

The file size is around 18mb.

http://www.salenz.com/movie/go.avi

You may get divx decoder from www.divx.com

Regards
Leigh

Same video but for real player.

http://www.salenz.com/movie/go.rmvb

Regards
Leigh

My exercise video

divx format
file size around 50mb
http://www.salenz.com/movie/88.avi

I look forward to your comments.

Regards
Leigh

go.avi footage
 

Hi Leigh,

I watched the go.avi test where you walked along side your garage wall. I did notice some side to side movement as you were walking. It seemed like your camera was moving towards then away from the wall.

Not knowing what your system is like (handheld like the Steadicam JR, arm suspended like the Glidecam V8 and mine, or without a gimball like the Flowpod) I can't tell where the movement comes from.

I liked the shots of the garden. You have a nice view from your house as well.

I would like to see a demo of something like you would see in a movie. Not only does it show off a good stabilized shot but it is also interesting to watch.

Thanks

Terry

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the comment

Regards
Leigh

Hello everyone,

The video I shot today.

divx format
file size around 30mb

http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_1_29.avi

I hope you'll check out this vidoe and offer some constructive criticism. I look forward to your comments.

Regards
Leigh

Hello everyone,

Same video wmv format
file size around 32mb

http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_1_29.wmv

I hope you'll check out this vidoe and offer some constructive criticism. I look forward to your comments.

Regards
Leigh

Everyone is making full and interesting responses to you videos, and all you keep doing is bombarding us with loooooads of these 30mb videos. It doesn’t seem like your even taking note.

I just find this funny.

"I hope you'll check out this video and offer some constructive criticism. I look forward to your comments." - are you cutting and pasting?

obsevations of last video
 

Leigh,

I downloaded the last video and here are my comments, They will be in the categories of "The Good", "The Bad", and "The Ugly".

The Good: Some of your shots were interesting now.
I liked the one on the hill and going behind the bush.
I also liked the Point of View (POV) shot of the dog on the swing.
Adding music really helped.

The Bad: Your static shots (not moving) have way too much movement in them. When you are doing static shots like at the beginning it's best to use a tripod or be able to hold the stabilized camera still like it is on a tripod.
On the hill shot, as you were moving, you lost frame on your subject. Remember, your subject is why you are doing the video.
Your shots on the dog are too long. We know you love your dog but the rest of us don't know him (or her) so keep the shots shorter.

The Ugly: You have shots of you subject and dog walking in the park. One is overexposed and the next shot is OK, then back to overexposed. It almost looks like the shots were taken on different days.

There you have it. I send this with the knowledge that most of us have many improvements to make in our shooting.

In conclusion, the video we want our shots to look like is found at the following web site:http://www.codydeegan.com/demo.html and click on "Contrast". I would give you Charles' site but it's way too good and I don't want you to get discouraged.

Terry

Hello everyone,

Another video I shot today.

divx format
file size around 22mb

http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_2_16.avi

wmv format
file size around 24mb
http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_2_16.wmv

I hope you'll check out this vidoe and offer some constructive criticism. I look forward to your comments.

Regards
Leigh

Heh Leigh, I think your last post helps prove Richards point! Are you really after criticism/feedback, or just phishing for sales?

lol, OMG! he's doing it on the SteadicamForum too!!

<<<-- Originally posted by Richard Lewis : lol, OMG! he's doing it on the SteadicamForum too!! -->>>

Hi Richard,

I don't understand what you said.

You mean 30mb files too bad? Someone told me that they like high quality video instead of small window video. From what I understand that only full screen high quality video can demonstrate the shakeness. I don't think small tiny window means anything. Just my view really.

Regards
Leigh

I wasn’t necessarily referring to the size of the files, but the volume of them.

It seems that you’re just posting one after the other without conversing with the people who are providing in-depth and constructive reviews.
This was shown in your last posting, as James concurred.

Well, we can look at it this way...Leigh's video is getting a bit better with each new installment.

The way you can tell if he's just out for sales or really wants positive feedback is if his video is improving (sorry to talk about you behind your computer, Leigh). I guess I'll take a look at the latest video and see if it is better than the last one.

Just watched your latest video. You've gone from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" to just "The Good and The Bad" and that's an improvement.

The Good...vertical stability is fairly good, much better than in the past. The color and exposure are good. You seem to be walking smoother. This is a definite improvement.

The Bad...horizontal stability needs some help. You can see regular side to side movement. If I were to guess I would say your stabilizer is the vertical post type without the gimbal, arm, and vest - like a Steady Tracker or FlyPod. Am I right???
The video lacks purpose other than to show camera stability. I'd like to see something interesting-not a long shot of your road and house. (House looks good) Hey! Cars are driving on the wrong side of the road!
The end shot of your dog should be as rock solid as possible, like if it was on a tripod, and not waving around.

How about your next video showing a rugby match from the players POV. Now that would be interesting! Seriously, a video showing kids playing basketball or some other sport would be a good place to show your camera stabilization video.


Leigh, when we put our videos up for suggestions and get them we all hope to improve from those suggestions. That's what I do anyway. Charles (and others) has given me many real good suggestions about my video and my rig and I have tried to incorporate them. If not, I'm not taking advantage of a Master Steadicam Operator. Charles is good...real good!

Believe me, I feel lucky to have this forum.


In a while I'll put a short video up for comments. I hope to be a better opperator because of them.


Tery

I absolutely agree Terry. This forum is designed to help and support everyone who uses it. We are lucky to have such a diverse range of people to educate on every level of DV.

I applaud you and Charles for taking time out to download, play, and write extensive reviews about peoples footage in an effort to help them improve.

The thing that gets me though, is the response, or lack of it that you receive from the people you are trying to help.
I was just aware of Leigh’s gratuitous video postings without seemingly any gratitude for your efforts.
(Maybe I’m reading the situation wrong, but that’s what it looks like from where I am)

Terry btw, from what I’ve seen of your product, it looks like a nice bit of original and practical kit and I wish you all the luck in the world.

All the best,

Rick.

Thanks Richard,

Always working on making a better rig. Maybe someday we'll even get around to marketing it. It's ready for sale now but we still want to make it even a better value by creating our own sled and doing a couple of things on the arm to fine-tune it.

Since the Indicam system was originally built to be used with Glidecam 2000 and 4000 sleds our newest competition is the Glidecam Smooth Shooter. It will probably be well built (haven't seen it yet) and a good value. It is a single arm whereas our system is a dual arm. When Charles P. tried our system out he said the arm "tracked well" which means the two arms work together well. Many times, with two articulated arms one will move and then the other will catch up. Move...catch up and so on. I think the term for that is "stair stepping". With a single arm you don't have to worry about that so it's easier to build.

Back to Leigh's video. It is improving and that's good. I, like you, wish he would make further comments on the suggestions he is receiving rather than just posting a new video for new comments. I also think he should let us know what his system is like i.e. full rig, hand held w/gimbal, hand held w/out gimbal, or Steadicam JR. type.

Time to go. I have to find some parts I have hidden somewhere.

Tery

P.S. Richard, what is you steadycam background?

Hi Richard, Terry,

Thank you very much.

The device which I am using is a full rig stablizer and I diy myself. I am an inexperience cameraman and keen to learn everything.

Regards
Leigh

Hi Terry, lets see…my Steadicam background...

Not too involved actually, I’ve used a Steadicam ProVid on a few music videos and other projects (nothing mainstream, just college work) I’m lucky because my college is wonderfully equipped with lots of broadcast equipment, which they don’t mind lending out.

I've owned a Glidecam 2000 for a few years and even with the crappy off centred gimbal that it has, I’ve been able to produce some excellent results, much better than any of the stuff on those demo videos they ship out...I don’t know why they bother. The only thing that I thought was descent, was that footage going through the video exhibition shot on a V16 or V20 I think it was.

Anyway, I would love to share some footage with you, but I have no way of posting it. If someone would offer to host it, I would be more than happy to hear your opinions.

Rick.

I agree with the demo video thing, I've ranted on another forum about this before.. why try to sell up to a multi-thousand dollar product when the videos are shot by people who simply either don't know what they're doing, or have dead links! The Magiqcam video is probably better than most, and its nothing great (I just like the fact it cuts between the steadicam operator and another camera showing the guy operating) and is obviously captured from VHS. Yeuch! That doesn't convince me to part with my money, I'm sorry!

Design the product, build the product, get a good demo shot then you'll sell it in my opinion.

www.dropload.com
 

Richard,

Here is a way of sending up to a 100MB video to me or any other person who has an email address. It's called dropload.com and it's free. Cool!

You have to sign up first to send videos but not to receive them. I'll send you a video shot by Charles P. using my !ndicam when we met at the Videomaker Expo this year. He set up the shot quickly and did a great job considering he was using a $1500 system and not his $100,000 rig. Charles is a great guy and I really appreciated it a lot that he would take his time to come over and help me.

Anyway, I'll send you this video so you can see how dropload.com works. If you have a quick internet connection it won't take too long to download a 3.51 MB .avi file. Coming up I'm going to work on inserting shots of him doing this short video into the video - kind of like the scenes behind the scene.

Keep and eye out for the email notification from dropload.com providing I have your correct email address.

Tery

Kewl stuff. I await your email.

<<<-- Originally posted by Richard Lewis :
Anyway, I would love to share some footage with you, but I have no way of posting it. If someone would offer to host it, I would be more than happy to hear your opinions.

Rick. -->>>

Hi Richard,

It is not difficult and dear to post your video. I pay http://www.phpwebhosting.com/ $9.95 a month to hosting my website. Just for your information.

Regards
Leigh

Cheers for the link Leigh, but I don’t need a sustained web host, as I won’t use it.

dropload
 

Richard,

I have tried twice today to send video to dropload.com but it isn't working. I don't know if it's my computer or theirs. I'll try tomorrow.

Tery

Boy do I feel dumb. I just found out I was trying to send a 211 MB file. DUH!

You shoud have an email and file waiting for you by the time you read this.

Tery

Cheers Terry, nice little clip, although my player was tripping up a bit. That’s what I get for spending all my money on the editing computer lol.

I would like to see the behind the scenes clip too, if you ever get around to posting it.

I haven’t got enough time tonight, to register for that thingy (have to finish off a long overdue script)
I shall sort something out next week and send a clip to you.

Cheers again,

Hey Terry, send me that clip too! I'd be curious to see what our little experiment looks like.

Videomaker clip
 

Charles,

I'll send the shot immediately.

I sent the clip to a guy and he commented on the "shakyness" at the start of the clip as well as seeing some "footsteps" at the end when you were moving real slowly. I let him know that I, as the editor, put too much of the start in and that the clip should have started just before you began moving.

See if you notice any "footsteps" in the clip. If there are any it's because you didn't have time to get used to the feeling of such a light rig. Also I'm sure a $105,000 rig should "look" better than a $1500 one. Let's see, that's 0.0142857142857 of the cost of your system...Captain! (raised eyebrow)

You did a great job and I really appreciate your help.

A question...You said you thought the arm should hang just below horizontal during use. Is that correct and do most steadycam systems work the same way? Why does setting the arm below horizontal accomplish? I would like to know as it will increase my knowledge base.

Another question...Do you think the Smooth Shooter, or any other single arm, will work as well as a dual arm providing they are both smooth? I know that the tracking is important and thanks for letting me know about it.


Tery

By-the-way, I'm working on your suggestions.

Got the clip, thanks Terry.

Footsteps--yeah, there are some, particularly noticeable at the end when I had that railing in the foreground. Mostly that's a function of not being used to the rig, as you pointed out. The rest of it is due to the arm design, and that is going to be inherent with any non-linear design, that they will not eliminate the bounce entirely (the Flyer is the only arm I have seen that can do the job as well as the "pro" arms.).

As far as the arm hanging slightly below horizontal, it seems to smooth out the action a bit--an over-cranked arm will be stiffer and/or more bouncy.

I'm not sure if a single section arm can compete with a dual arm because, as described above, all the single section arms I've seen were non-linear.

best,

Chas

Non-linear
 

Charles,

Can you explain "non-linear" please to those of us who don't know what that means.

How do you make a non-linear arm or is it so complicated that it's past the reaches of this site?

==============

I just did my own research and found that a linear arm stays where it is put. That's got to be tuff to make and shows why the Flyer is worth it's $6500 for those who have to have the best.

On the other hand our Indicam was made for the rest of us "indipendant" filmakers who want very smooth video but can't afford the price of the Flyer.

Note: We dropped the arm to just below horizontal and noticed an improvement in smoothness, especially in lower shots. We expect this is because we don't have to "hold" the arm low to keep it stable and in the higher shots our (human) arm takes up the small extra weight needed to lift it to a higher level.

This is cool stuff.

Tery

Hello everyone,

Here is an exercise video I shot today.

--------------------------------------
divx format(MPEG4) You may need to download decoder from www.divx.com

file size around 25mb

http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_3_20.avi

--------------------------------------
wmv format
file size around 28mb

http://www.salenz.com/movie/2005_3_20.wmv

I hope you'll check out this video and offer some constructive criticism. I look forward to your comments.

Regards
Leigh

Leigh:

Definite improvement. You are showing good control of the rig for basic walking maneuvers.

Now I would recommend starting to think about shots themselves and more elaborate operating.

Most Steadicam shots involve walking backwards, so I would focus more on that than on forward-moving shots such as on this demo. Get used to navigating through tight spaces and through doorways walking backwards.

Make sure to include plenty of stops and holds rather than just continuous walking. It may not seem very exciting, but a large part of operating will involve lockoffs so it is important to get these down. The temptation is that once a practice shot is over, one drops the concentration; rather, you should glide to a smooth stop and hold for a count of 10 (or 20, or 60!) to get used to it. Same thing at the beginning of a shot.

Also practice fast maneuvers; speeding up and slowing down during a shot. Take a few fast steps to the side and come to a quick stop. The rig will tend to pendulum out; get a feel for how to reign in the forces to prevent this.

Find a practice space that has hallways and corners, and play around with where you place the pivot point when you take turns.

Regarding the discussion in the Steadicam forum about workshops; by the end of the 1st day, the students will have moved on from the type of shot you have done here to more intricate stuff.

Leigh,

I don't agree with Charles...Actually I said that cause no one has ever said that. I do agree with him.

The Good...Your forward shots are much smoother than they used to be. Also I noticed you were walking slowly which is harder to stabilize than fast moving shots. Good! The quality of picture is very good and the music good for the speed of the shot.

The Bad...Although not real bad, you show a bit too much control hand in that there is some side to side jerkyness visible. This is hard to overcome as many of us with smaller rigs struggle with it in our shots as well.

Your video kind of reminds me of the Glidecam 2000 demo where the operator is moving on a wooden walkway. Their shot is very smooth but there also aren't any stops, starts, speed changes, abrupt direction changes, etc. Master these and it will be time for you to leave, Grasshopper (I'm speaking as a student too).

So much for day one as Master Papert stated. Getting wide open forward (and I did see some reverse) shots is probably the easiest shot to do but still the basis for smooth shooting.

Question-What will you be working on in you next demo? May I be so bold as to suggest...starts and stops as well as direction changes.

Let all of us know.

Tery

I am going to try and get one of my shots available so you guys can help me as well. If I can't take it I'll get out of the fire.

Hi Charles and Terry,

Thank you very much.

Regards
Leigh