Equipment
The equipment built for
the project is fairly simple and straight forward. All of the hardware was
either donated, found lying in a junk pile, or if absolutely necessary, was
purchased from the local hardware store. ‘ACE is the place!’
Pictured below is a simple
camera crane with monitor platform and your run of the mill wiring. The camera
can be operated manually by the blue rod, or reset and the camera becomes one
with the boom movement and stays parallel with the ground. Take your pick - it
depends on what tickles your fancy.
Something functional but
inexpensive… and best of all,
it works! It can even be set up a few
different ways, with
full 360° rotation and a
12ft boom arm.
Donato crafted this camera
rig from junk parts he found.
The FX is mounted and
ready for use.
Below are pictures of our
crafted dolly.
Kerri and Sierra Johnson
having some fun taking a ride.
1 ¼ inch PVC pipe & 16
high quality skateboard wheels will do the trick.
Preparing for a shot
sequence… Can you spot the Jedi?
The dolly platform is 4
feet wide by 5 feet long.
It can withstand a 500lbs+
load and still travel as smooth as glass.
Alex and Rick prepping the
green screen for an outside shoot.
A steady cam was also
employed during many shot sequences.
A good quality fluid head
tripod is a must.
Jake taking a breather.
Shooting in full costume during
the hot summer months took its toll on cast
and crew alike.
Below are a few pictures
of Tiris and Bane going to town.
Pictured above center is
Kent Morris with his companion, the Z1U.
The entire project was
captured with Sony’s Z1U and FX1 HDV units.
They took a good beating
and still function like the day I purchased them.
Photos by Tony Crockett /
Melissa Hawkins / RJ
Rick J. Johnson
Copyright © 2005