Edmond Fetue Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Hi all, I was recently asked by a client to shoot some aerial footage from an helicopter and he asked me if it has any advantage on using the steadicam. I didn't know what to answer really because I've never tryed it before and I recall being told on the Tiffen workshop never to combine: Steadicam + helicopter. Any experience on this? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Daniel Stilling DFF Posted January 10, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 I recall being told on the Tiffen workshop never to combine: Steadicam + helicopter. That sums it up. It's not the right tool for the job and it's extremely dangerous. With all the wind up there you will not have a usable shot. Better to use gear designed for aerials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Norbert von der Heidt Posted January 11, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 If a Tyler isn't available or out of the client's price range and there's no way around maybe try a system I've used with bungy cords in an X pattern in the doorway of Jet Rangers. The camera is suspended by the handle from the crossover in the X (with appropriate safety line) making sure to attach to the camera at a balance point that allows the camera to hang at an angle that will require the least amount of force from you to get the shot. A remote zoom/record handle would be very handy for this as well. Here's a pic of the first incarnation of the system before progressing to the full X config. Good Luck Norbert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike McGowan SOC Posted January 11, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Yea, the steadicam and the helicopter don't work together. Just go hand held but make sure you are strapped in to at least 2 points and one of the points is behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members John atkinson Posted January 11, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hi all, I was recently asked by a client to shoot some aerial footage from an helicopter and he asked me if it has any advantage on using the steadicam. I didn't know what to answer really because I've never tryed it before and I recall being told on the Tiffen workshop never to combine: Steadicam + helicopter. Any experience on this? Thanks Ride up in a fast elevator wearing your rig and you'll see about 1/100 of the force you'd be subject to. I love it when clients say "I've done the is before with another operator" BS! John A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Sydney Seeber Posted January 11, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 having shot out of helos a sh!t ton (Empirical) of times I've had great results using a similar method to the above described bungee setup in addition to cross mounted gyros. The result eliminates any need for a steadicam. The type of helo factors greatly into what you can accomplish, so I don't want to say that you can absolutely eliminate any and all jitter without using a Wescam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Edmund As I said at your workshop, don't do it! Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted January 11, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Ride up in a fast elevator wearing your rig and you'll see about 1/100 of the force you'd be subject to. I love it when clients say "I've done the is before with another operator" BS! John A Have done this several times (elevator, not really fast), i must admit.. it is a strange feeling but cool effect :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmond Fetue Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Ok I get the picture. I'll keep my rig away from helicopters. Thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmond Fetue Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 If a Tyler isn't available or out of the client's price range and there's no way around maybe try a system I've used with bungy cords in an X pattern in the doorway of Jet Rangers. The camera is suspended by the handle from the crossover in the X (with appropriate safety line) making sure to attach to the camera at a balance point that allows the camera to hang at an angle that will require the least amount of force from you to get the shot. A remote zoom/record handle would be very handy for this as well. Here's a pic of the first incarnation of the system before progressing to the full X config. Good Luck Norbert I think I may try this!! Thanks Norbert! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dave Isern Posted March 25, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 yeah I've had people that said they've had ops steadi in copters before. My reply is that the steadicam operator must've been an idiot D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted March 25, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 yeah I've had people that said they've had ops steadi in copters before. My reply is that the steadicam operator must've been an idiot D Kinda harsh words for ops like Garrett and Larry and quite a few others myself included Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invalid username Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 yeah I've had people that said they've had ops steadi in copters before. My reply is that the steadicam operator must've been an idiot D Kinda harsh words for ops like Garrett and Larry and quite a few others myself included But I'd bet the value of your rig that you wouldn't do it again now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted March 25, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 yeah I've had people that said they've had ops steadi in copters before. My reply is that the steadicam operator must've been an idiot D Kinda harsh words for ops like Garrett and Larry and quite a few others myself included But I'd bet the value of your rig that you wouldn't do it again now. You owe me a serious amount of money... Yes I would do it again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jerry Holway Posted March 25, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Garrett does think it's stupid to use Steadicam in a helicopter... he's learned it the hard way with many of his close friends killed in accidents. There are better tools, safer tools,- tools that are FAA certified to deal with those G-forces. We always say in the workshops - for 25 years now - do not do this. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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