Go Pro Karma Quadkopter
There are times when, for the sake of the story, the only right thing to do with the camera is to put it on a tripod and let what’s happening in the frame command the viewer’s attention. But there are other times when filmmakers can harness the power of camera movement to create powerful moments and provide unique perspectives that heighten the viewing experience. Seamless camera motion can give wings to the imagination, creating an entirely new visual language.
In the past the ability to "fly" the camera used to belong exclusively in the realm of feature filmmaking. Innovations in affordable cinematography gear, however, have opened a whole new world of creative possibilities for media producers at almost any stage of the journey. From sliders to drones to gimbal systems, filmmakers today are increasingly limited only by their imagination.
Defying gravity
So what are some of the newest tools on the market that help cinematographers fly the camera in new and dynamic ways? For filmmakers just starting out one of the easiest and most effective ways to begin moving the camera seamlessly is through the use of a slider. Sliders consist of track or rail systems that attach to a tripod and allow for 24 inches to 60 inches of lateral movement, are almost silent to operate, and help developing cinematographers learn to leverage the power of foreground, middle ground and background to achieve a parallax effect.
Rhino EVO Slider
One of the most popular new sliders on the market today is the Rhino EVO slider, a lightweight option with silky smooth motion governed by a flywheel and an upgrade pathway for adding motorized motion and camera control when needed. Another popular new camera slider is the Edelkrone SliderPlus X, a unique device that incorporates an innovative design allowing the camera to slide twice the length of the slider itself when mounted to a tripod.
Edelkrone SliderPlus X
Achieving altitude
When it comes to flying the camera, the most ubiquitous solution that’s taken the market by storm over the past few years is the drone camera. While video-capable drones have been around for a while, it wasn’t until manufacturers were able to combine gimbal stabilization with pro-level camera sensors into an affordable package that the devices really took off with cinematographers.
DVI Mavic Air
Easily the most popular player in the drone market today is DJI, which have recently introduced their Mavic Air for run-and-gun production work, and the higher-end Inspire 2 system for applications that are more cinematic in nature. Another option with a strong pedigree is the GoPro Karma Quadcopter, which incorporates the GoPro 6 for capturing quality 4K footage at 60fps.
Room to maneuver
Probably the most revolutionary camera stabilization technology of the past several years is the handheld gimbal system. Gimbal stabilizers allow filmmakers to fly their favorite digital cinema cameras to achieve motion that would have been impossible with any other technology even five years ago. The devices have revolutionized cinematography from Hollywood all the way down to first-year vloggers.
Zhiyun Tech Crane
While there are a number of high quality, affordable handheld gimbal systems on the market today, one of the most popular options has proven to be the Zhiyun-Tech Cranes. These devices provide reliable, consistent quality results at a price point that’s affordable for most filmmakers. Another exciting option just coming to market is the DJI Ronin-S, which promises to leverage DJI’s considerable experience with stabilization into something that allows users to see the back screens of DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
Creating lift
One camera movement tool that been around in Hollywood for decades is the jib. The jib places the camera at the end of a long arm, which is balanced along the fulcrum and allows the camera to move vertically and laterally while being carefully controlled by on operator on the other end. One of the main advantages of a jib is that it can be operated nearly silently, allowing it to be used in a narrative or interview context, something that would be almost impossible with a drone.
Nebula 4300
In the process of researching this article we came across the Nebula 4300 with Jib and Remote, which combines the best of both the gimbal and jib worlds. The Nebula 4300 itself is a gimbal that utilizes an extraordinary 5-axis stabilization system to accommodate the natural bounce from walking or running. On top of that, the gimbal can quickly be transferred to the end of a custom-designed jib while still retaining wireless control of the camera at the end. It’s an impressively innovative approach, and definitely something serious filmmakers will want to explore.
Coming in for a landing
In the end, the ability to fly the camera should always be used in service of story. When starting out with these kinds of devices the temptation is to show off a little, which is understandable. Just remember that a little movement goes a long way. Once you’ve got that first "check it out" project out of your system begin looking for ways to use these tools to help the viewer see your subject and their setting in new, compelling ways. And while you’re at it, take advantage of the possibilities to engage with new collaborators who might be more excited by the technical aspects, freeing you up to focus on great storytelling.
