The Microfilmmaker Community

JeremyHanke

Hey guys,

What're some new do-it-yourself plans you'd like to see both in this forum and in upcoming issues of Microfilmmaker Magazine?

We've shown plans for steadicams, mic shotgun mounts, and will be showing plans for professional style dollies and smoke effects in upcoming issues. With that said, help us think of new things you'd like to see here.
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Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

KevinLines · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Yakima, WA

Hey, guys, I'm kind of new to all this, but I would love to see plans for a vest-based steadicam. The hand-held one in the first issue was cool, but a vest-based one with a gimble and whatnot would be cool.

Thanks,

Kevin
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"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil." - James Allen

JeremyHanke · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:47 am Post subject: Will try to find this info...

Kevin,

That is actually a rather sticky wicket, due to the amount of things involved in a vest-mounted steady rig. Nonetheless, there have been a few people who have created these rigs and I will work to see if we can't get one of them to create a step-by-step article to show people how to do this.

Give me a few months to see if I can fanagle someone to write us the article for the magazine.

-Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

BrianKing · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 24 Location: New York & Chile

Do you think you could inexpensively create tracks and a setup for dolly shots? I am also thinking of setting up some kind of crane. Do you think this is feasible on a low-budget? I would like to use a light-weight camara, the Panasonic DVX100A, so that I think I could get away with a lighter and simpler setup. Thanks. -Brian

JeremyHanke · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:01 am Post subject: Funny you should mention that...

Brian,

Actually we're going to be doing an article specifically on that in the December 15th issue, complete with some really nice graphics of what sort of tracks and wheels you want to use.

As to a crane, it is feasible. Let me look into it for our January 15th issue and see if I can't come up with something that'll fit your needs!

Check out the dolly feature in a week and a half and see what you think, too!

Good timing! Smile

-Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

JeremyHanke

Brian,

I have negotiated with a fine writer who has a lovely set of plans and photos for making a crane. It will get posted in our January 15th issue!

Thanks,

Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

BrianKing · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 24 Location: New York & Chile

Thanks, Jeremy. I found the dolly-tracks article in the last issue very useful. It looks do-able. I look forward to reading the new article.

JeremyHanke · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:52 am Post subject: Glad to be of help...

Brian,

Glad to help out!

-Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

DaveHarris · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

In frustration of both the expense and limited functionality of portable cranes, I built my own...From scratch...Using simple hand tools...And no plans. Works beautifully. Afterwards, I found a site called Homebuiltstabilizers that's a community of people of similar intent--and it's stunning to see some of their exploits (especially as far as full steadicams!)

I have some ideas for other rigs, but i'm keepin' some of them to myself for now...

Anyway, Jeremy, i'd be happy to talk smack about my crane, but it was really intended as a one-off...I'm sure I could offer some sort of useful information, though....

DaveHarris · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

Yes, that's right. I'm in the process of making an dual iso-elastic arm and vest to support my Glidecam 4K. I have just about all of the materials, and will be starting the 'machining' and assembly in the next week--using fairly simple materials and tools. I also plan on documenting the process so I can pass it along....I'll keep everyone posted.

JeremyHanke · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:37 am Post subject: great info...

Dave,

We'd love to publish an article on both. Keep in touch when you get it finished and we'll be happy to make a spot for it! Just make sure to take plenty of pix along the way! *smile*

Thanks,

Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com

DaveHarris · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

At long last...

I've been working off and on for 2 1/2 months, and had my first Steadicam flight last Sunday. It still isn't quite finished and needs some tweaking, but I'm very enthusiastic about the results. After all is said and done, I'll post my plans so you won't have to make the mistakes that I did. It's a hell of a lot of work, but It's saved me $1200. And I have something to show for it.

More developments as they occur....

DaveHarris · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

***UPDATE***

The rig is done---I made some changes, but it's now undergoing trials...Don't expect it to change too much.

Not bad for no plans and a bunch of loose hardware....

I'm shooting my first feature with it in just over 4 weeks...1,700 miles away....So right now I'm somewhere between too busy to breathe and too freaked out to care...

Still, if I can finish the documentation (which i've been keeping up with pretty much from the beginning), i'll send it along to Jeremy, and i'm sure he'll do something nice with it......Like post it!

JeremyHanke · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: Better believe it...

Dave,

Awesome. Yeah, send us the plans, pics, and a little tutorial of how you made it and we'll get it published in the next available issue!

I look forward to it!

-Jeremy
_________________
--

Jeremy Hanke
Editor
Microfilmmaker Magazine
"Improving no-budget filmmaking through technique and critique."
http://www.microfilmmaker.com
jhanke@microfilmmaker.com