DIY Camera Stabilizer, Filmmaking Tips: Backyard FX

DONT READ THIS cause it really works. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT TO AT LEAST 3 VIDEOS YOU  WILL DIE WITHIN 2 DAYS. NOW UV STARTED READING DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO OVER TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6  AND YOUR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY Cuz IT ACTUALLY WORKS

Could you possibly write out what the supply names were and where you got them? I'm finding it hard to understand what you're saying. Thanks!

you didnt spin the wheel!

Hi there,

I like both camera stablizer but I think they share the same problems:
1) The upper part / tubing which goes from the handle to the camera is too long. At least for the wooden stabilizer the long vertical part adds unneccessarily high leverage to the horizontal part which can easily lead to an instable camera position. Shortening the vertical distance between your camera position and the horizontal "rig" should help to improve stability.

2) Both DIY stabelizer are IMO pretty pricey. If I summed up the prices correctly only the light adapters plus the camera platform cost something lie 45 U$. Ouch...the shoulder stock of the paintball gun for example sells for something like 35 to 40€ here in Europe. Have a look at my solution:
http://picasaweb.google.de/holger.beetz/Schulterstativ

Including the camera screw (8€) the whole thing costed something like 15€. Now that is what I call cost effective and cheap :)

I guess instead of using all those adapters and a true camera mount it would be more cheap DIY stuff if you would have used strong PVC tubing in the first place.

just my 2 cents,
Holger

Also, if you have seen Arronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, you will note a camera mount which the actors wear. Could something like that be modified from what you've shown here?

So, essentially what you've built is a stedi-cam, correct? If not, what's the diff? And if so, wouldn't you want some sort of counterweight at the bottom of the rig for more stability? Someone, please talk me down...

the revised version is a great idea. i was just looking on a gun website to buy a composite stock to do the same thing with.  I would love to have a list of parts with click through links.

keep up the good work!

lesson to be learned here: don't talk down to your audience and learn to control your face while talking, otherwise you'll be as annoying as this host.

45 like it.I hate it. it was slow moving, where,s gary and the wheel, and making another rig is a little disapointing

speaking of shoulder mounts, can you guys make a shoulder mount for a "FIRST PERSON" look?? I tried having my friend hovering over my shoulder but... that was 1) GAY AS HELL and 2) SLOPPY AS HELL...         but wait, there's  can you make it for under 50 BUCKS????

Does this work with other cameras as well?

What do you guys use for sound when shooting with a 7d? I'm guessing the internal mic isn't too great

After the holidays, I'm building a somewhat different shoulder rig.  Would there be any interest in me doing a build video of it, or is the category already covered?

Addin a small weight may help Stabilize it even more; due to Inertia.

Glad to see you guys still focus on the basics! I know a lot of fans request things they really want to see made, but never actually have a use for. Cheers for staying true to the tutorial aspect of BFX!

I saw you on Science of the Movies the other day, how come you never mention it on the site? You have been on it three or four times already!

BTW, could you do something about the adverts in the show? It keeps freezing after the second ad...

You guys should make a shoulder mount for a dslr

You guys should do a halo assault rifle or spartan laser to go with the armor you did earlier

Where did he say we can get all that camera stuff ( the universal light adapter and junk...)?

why not just use a real tongue?

nice m4 carbine stock. good finish. u could probably add an mp 5 adjustible stock as wee if u could

cool, fake tongue next week, tongue goes in, il pull it out again

great stabilizer but Erik still should probly shave his beard

seriously wtf happened to Gary?  but good stabilizer advice.  maybe pvc pipe would work as well?

Great stuff Erik! You finally got your Canon! One question, when you switched from the Panasonic to the Canon, the quality of the Canon was definitely better, but the color was very different. Did you tinker with it, or was that untouched footage?

Hey Erik! Do you think I can use this sistem for my Panasonic miniDV camcorder? It's a pv-gs230. Do you think it is light enough?
Thanks!

yes!!!! another bfx episode!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!

The second stabilizer for sure.

Great timing Erik!  My Canon 7D is being delivered today, so I was thrilled to see this episode this morning.  Time to order some parts from B&H!

I like the gun stabilizer.

yeaaa woohoo build episode. but were is GARY????? DD HE DIE OF BREAK?? OMG HE IS GONE!!!

Nice Episode. Can't wait for the fake tongue build! Finally getting back to the BFX I've come to love.

Loved the build! Next week looks awesome too :p

BFX back on track! (or dolly ^^)

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WHEEL!!!  NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Erik,

Excellent episode!  Nice idea with the gun stock.

How about a further mod, maybe in a future episode,  where the horizontal bar goes over your shoulder with a weight in the back to balance the weight of the SLR.  That would make the whole thing more like a shoulder mount camera rather than holding it all up front.

I thought it was awsome! I was wondering if next week you could make a force talents build episode ( force push, force lightning, force grip). Can't wait for the next test film!

Awesome episode! The second build reminded me of something I thought of earlier today. someone had mentioned something about a gun that shoots around corners in the movie "Wanted" (I wouldn't know I never saw it.) But I do know that a big version of that does, in fact, exists in real life and can be found by a simple google search. I was just wondering if something like that could be a possible build...perhaps? :)

the stock at the end is a tippmann 98 custom stock hope that helps

BFX is making a comebeck! geddit?! i crack myself up!

YOU DIDNT SPIN THE WHEEEL!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

YES! You're all finally switching back to the good builds!

I liked the first one best, the second had some unobtainable pieces.

THANK YOU ERIK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The builds are BACK.

I'm not a fan of this build but can't wait for the fake toung next week.finally your out of the ditch of bad bfx and back to normal!!

Can't get it to play!

I liked the wooden camera stablizer.Also, when are u guys gonna work on some Darkman BFX and some examples are the machine gun leg in the beginning of the movie and the making of Darkman's face.

I only just discovered Indymogul and BFX a week ago, but it has really motivated me to get rolling on the projects I've been putting off. Thanks for the inspiration guys! My only complaint now is that I've watched all the back episodes and now I sadly must wait for the new ones as they come out. Un the up side, I'm making a burn victim fake head for my film (actually 2) and I'm going to make a tutorial out of it. Hope to have it soon to submit! Keep doing what you do!

I like them both! They both look very cool! next weeks episode looks awesome! :-D 
Can you guys please make a giant man eating plant, please please please please please!!! Thanks!

HOLY MAN!  They used my tip!  Cool!  (I thought that kid looked familiar...)

And I have a strange feeling the "Heart Warming" test film isn't very heart warming.  :-)

awesome! BFX is back!

yaaayyyyy new bfx