Interesting new rig

[AndreasKielb]

I think both versions of operating (one or two man) might be usefull and possible without extra costs on a feature set. On all of my previous cablecam jobs so far I asked the DP if he wants to do the remote control of the head while I was driving the cablecam trolly (also with a remote control). It worked out really well each time and since we talked about the shot before, there were no restrictions. I knew where the camera should be during the move and the DP didn't really have to do many corrections. Of course another alternative for the remote control is the camera operator but here in Germany the DP often operates himself. Running through the woods with a brushless gimbal or in tight corners I think it might be really usefull if you don't need to control the framing at the same time.

 

I'll add joysticks to the handles of my brushless gimbal anyway and at least for television live jobs this would be the better option without the need for a second operator. I'm making good progress with building including steadicam jib and arm bracket and I think I can do a view more later on if somebody is interested.

 

I will be very surprised if the future generations of this system continue to be a two-man operation. Putting this on a Steadicam arm will free up the operator to control the system via onboard controls, be they joystick, paddles or force-sensitive handles and that's really what will make the most sense. Of course there are various technical hurdles to be achieved before all this works well enough to give a solid Steadicam operator a run for his money, but it does seem like GB's long anticipated theory that Steadicam will be replaced by a black box with a blinking light on it is getting closer to reality.

Edited April 17, 2013 by AndreasKielb

[Charles Papert]

Anything is possible--a lot of shows have two cameras full-time anyway, so it's not necessarily about a shortage of personnel. In some ways I think the carrying-of-camera job is similar to a dolly grip, although there are still differences in the mechanics and nuance. A lot of this comes down to the application. It's a lot like the early days of Steadicam where it was initially perceived as a "stunt" camera. Sprinting around and tossing the camera through windows is a lot different than executing a multi-point move around actors, where the act of placing the lens requires anticipation and experience.

 

Take a simple over the shoulder shot; a solid Steadicam operator can intuitively maintain just the right perspective between actors as they shift and lean. A great dolly grip can do the same thing. Most operators have felt the frustration of having a less-than-great dolly grip who doesn't compensate properly (and will likely opt for a slider, which returns the subtle framing control to the operator).

 

But I think we agree that there are situations that a two-man setup will work better. I think that for this to be a truly useful tool, it needs to have controls at the head with the same degree of delicacy as the remote controls.

[James Leonzio]

Fun/nostalgic read, comparing the introduction of Steadicam and the MoVI. Plus a great pic of Garrett and Kubrick.

 

http://nofilmschool.com/2013/04/stanley-kubrick-movi/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nofilmschool+%28NoFilmSchool%29

[chris gonzalez]

 

But also remember that now we do all the framing manually.. with the Movi you will be working with/against gyros with a mind of its own.. no easy task i think..

 

 

with a gimbal like this, if you use only 2 axis (no pan correction), then you have level horizon but have to boom and pan manually to compose.

 

the AR looks impressive if you were to have a duel with Darth Maul, but does not have as much utility as a lightweight, compact rig.

 

i foresee many more users of the latter rather than the former.

[flemming laybourn]

@ Chris..

 

well you feel like a caracter from Star Wars when U operate the AR...;-) but I guess that is just an added bonus..

 

I think we are talking past each other.. I see a big market for the Movi, but as long as there is a request for big cameras like the Alexa, there will be a growning market for big camera rigs with autolevel, like the Omega.

A Rig can only be lightweight and compact as long as the camera is also lightweight and compact...;-)

[Michael Hauer]

So in five years do we think there will still be cameras the size of an Alexa?

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

So in five years do we think there will still be cameras the size of an Alexa?

Yes

[Michael Hauer]

Good I hope so

[Victor Lazaro]

It looks that in the pro world the size doesn't change, only the limit of what it can do.

if you have a bit of space and weight left, why not use it to add features.

 

In the consumer world, everything is getting smaller (except for phones, which are going wider and wider)

[Ken Nguyen]

In the professional world, for sure the size of the camera will be about the size of Alexa.

 

In the consumer world, the phone is getting wider and wider, because of the size of human fingers. Bigger screen size also is easy to view and displays more info.

Back to the camera size/weight point of view, most of those who uses smaller camera (DSLR) realizes that adding more weight and accessory will help controlling the camera better.

[Victor Lazaro]

That's what I did when I bought my GH2. I got a large shoulder mount and a big external battery hehe. Now it's heavier than my Panasonic HPX170 and it has human size handles.

[Thomas English]

I think the next Alexa will be the body size of s 416 with far less power consumption than an Epic. I think that body will still be in use in 5 years.

[Victor Lazaro]

[deleted message]

[Joe Lawry]

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2013/04/17/movis-network-debut-a-lucky-winner/

 

Movi on NCIS LA.

[chris gonzalez]

impromptu session with the home built 2 axis gimbal and a gopro3. it is starting to get dialed in. pan is not stabilized but the horizon stays pretty level. i had no monitor but the gopro is so wide i eyeballed the framing and hoped for the best.

 

i think the gimbal did an admirable job and allowed me get some useable footage. video is cropped but no other post was done.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iI1R2bRdFo&list=UUo3OMj9gCzRMRq2DwBtzSeA&index=1

Edited April 23, 2013 by chris gonzalez