Can it be done with a Glidecam?

[Arvid Utas]

Hello all,

super fresh in this forum but from searching the place you seem to be a friendly buch so hopefully I can get some help with my issues!

 

I have access to a Glidecam Smoothshooter and I really would like to learn to shoot steadily. Now I know this model is often regarded to be a cheap knock-off, but seeing as I can use it for free I'd like to know if it is worth trying to learn on it?

I have been looking for videos of people using it but most of them seem to be by complete beginners assuming to just set it up and then automagically be experts, can anyone post a link of good work done on that rig?

 

Many thanks!

Arvid

[Stephen Wymer]

Hey Arvid,

 

Learning on a Glidecam is obviously not ideal, but in general, it works. The first camera stabilizer I owned was the Glidecam X-10 vest and arm and HD-4000 sled. It was great for learning the basics, but the first time I flew a Steadicam rig, I noticed a HUGE difference.

 

Glidecam units have all of the basic attributes of any camera stabilizer. (top stage, center post, bottom stage, gimbal, vest, arm) I'm not sure which sled you are operating with, but assuming it is of either the HD series or pro series, you'll be missing a monitor, power and video through the center post, etc. Fortunately, these are not necessary for practicing technique.

 

If you are serious about learning to operate, grab yourself the Steadicam Operators Handbook and the Steadicam EFP DVD. IMHO, these are a necessity to any operator, especially a newcomer. I read the book on a regular basis, along with spending at least an hour a day combing the archives on this forum. This forum is an amazing resource and should be taken full advantage of.

 

Best regards, and happy flying.

 

Stephen Wymer

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

I think what's important here is the new term "automagically" Arvid has coined.

 

Its got to work for something right?

 

JA

[Chris Callarman]

I think what's important here is the new term "automagically" Arvid has coined.

+1

[Ryan Rodinis]

Hi all;

 

I think what's important here is the new term "automagically" Arvid has coined.

 

Its got to work for something right?

 

JA

 

http://www.tuneupmedia.com/ Fix your iTunes, Automagically. I wonder if they actually first used it. What a fun word. :)

[Wolfgang Troescher]

Hi!

 

I made the same experience like Stephen. I had the X-10 system and did my first steps with it. When I changed to a "real" Steadicam, it was a great changeover, but adapted fast to it. It´s better to learn with a Glidecam than don´t learning at all.

 

fly safe

Wolfgang

 

Hey Arvid,

 

Learning on a Glidecam is obviously not ideal, but in general, it works. The first camera stabilizer I owned was the Glidecam X-10 vest and arm and HD-4000 sled. It was great for learning the basics, but the first time I flew a Steadicam rig, I noticed a HUGE difference.

 

Glidecam units have all of the basic attributes of any camera stabilizer. (top stage, center post, bottom stage, gimbal, vest, arm) I'm not sure which sled you are operating with, but assuming it is of either the HD series or pro series, you'll be missing a monitor, power and video through the center post, etc. Fortunately, these are not necessary for practicing technique.

 

If you are serious about learning to operate, grab yourself the Steadicam Operators Handbook and the Steadicam EFP DVD. IMHO, these are a necessity to any operator, especially a newcomer. I read the book on a regular basis, along with spending at least an hour a day combing the archives on this forum. This forum is an amazing resource and should be taken full advantage of.

 

Best regards, and happy flying.

 

Stephen Wymer

[Jess Haas SOC]

Automagically isn't a new term although it seems to be getting a lot more popular lately. Its apparenntly in the oxford english dictionary, has been used in computimg circles since the 70s or 80s and apparently was used in a number of appliance ads in the 40s and 50s.

[Arvid Utas]

Damn you Jess for exposing me as the fake phrase-coiner I am.

 

Thanks all for the advice. From looking at photos online the sled is a 4000 pro (unfortunately, the 4000 hd seems a lot easier)

I can live with the lack of monitor as long as I can make good looking shots. i'll check out the book and dvd, thanks!

 

So, has anybody got any good videos made with this rig or are they only existing in theory?

[Wolfgang Troescher]

Damn you Jess for exposing me as the fake phrase-coiner I am.

 

Thanks all for the advice. From looking at photos online the sled is a 4000 pro (unfortunately, the 4000 hd seems a lot easier)

I can live with the lack of monitor as long as I can make good looking shots. i'll check out the book and dvd, thanks!

 

So, has anybody got any good videos made with this rig or are they only existing in theory?

 

There are a lot of examples on youtube and vimeo. But "good" videos, made with smooth shooter, are rare. If you have a lot of action in front of your lense, like typical music videos, the smooth shooter produces relativeley good results. But good smooth shotter videos containing more difficult scenes (slow moves, lot of vertical and horizontal lines, close-by objects) are not easy to find.

 

I found these examples:

 

There´s a German music video produced with 5D and Glidecam (I suppose X-10):

 

Wolfgang

[Wolfgang Troescher]

Damn you Jess for exposing me as the fake phrase-coiner I am.

 

Thanks all for the advice. From looking at photos online the sled is a 4000 pro (unfortunately, the 4000 hd seems a lot easier)

I can live with the lack of monitor as long as I can make good looking shots. i'll check out the book and dvd, thanks!

 

So, has anybody got any good videos made with this rig or are they only existing in theory?

 

By the way, if you have a facebook account, theres a group for glidecam users, calles "Glidecam Users unite!". You can find many tipps and videos there.

 

Wolfgang