Shot Athletics for Pan Am/ Para Pan Am games...a few questions

[Matthew Modica]

Hey all

 

So i shot Athletics for 2 weeks in Toronto for the games. I was mainly used for track events and all medal ceremonies.

 

My job on the track was usually following the winner of each event. Overall i had a blast.

 

I am newer at steadicam, only been operating 2 years, and learned ALOT on this gig.

 

Probably the biggest thing was Don Juan. Running around the track (400m) with gold medal winners backwards was not an option and i would naturally fall into Don Juan position ( Thank god i practiced it a little in the past)

 

But 1 thing i struggled with was massive gusts of wind and shooting wheelchair bound competitors for Para's. I found it incredibly hard to maintain a clean consistent shot when following wheelchairs. I counldn't get the arm low enough so i would usually tilt but than i would lose horizon alot as i jogged beside them. My droptime was like 1 sec alot of the time to counter the massive wind gusts..... which didnt help.

 

If any Ops have any tips I would be very grateful :D

 

Thanks

Matthew