Handheld Smoothing in Post - Epic

[Bob Minervini]

I've done a TON of post stabilization since production could not afford what we needed. I recommend the following so that in post you get better results:
1. faster shutter than normal
2. overcrank slightly...so for 30fps footage, I'll shoot a 48 or even 60...at 180 minimum shutter but usually faster....then, in post you have more to work with and wont get as much blur if and when the camera jumps up or down.....more info that you give the stabilization software to work with, then less blur & crop.

forgot....then slow the footage down after all this is done to match your timeline speed.

interesting advises: Thanks

[AndyRydzewski]

Yeah, an Easy Rig is hopefully going to be an option.

I'm hesitant to make footage adjustments (higher shutter, higher frame rate) while shooting because I don't want the walking sections to stand out. However, maybe I was being too optimistic thinking post stabilization wouldn't change the look too much.

The bulk of this movie is handheld, so some shake in the image is expected to remain. I need to get testing! If anyone has links to samples, or samples of their own, send them along! I've found a couple, but not much.

[Yuval Shrem]

I've done a TON of post stabilization since production could not afford what we needed. I recommend the following so that in post you get better results:
1. faster shutter than normal
2. overcrank slightly...so for 30fps footage, I'll shoot a 48 or even 60...at 180 minimum shutter but usually faster....then, in post you have more to work with and wont get as much blur if and when the camera jumps up or down.....more info that you give the stabilization software to work with, then less blur & crop.

forgot....then slow the footage down after all this is done to match your timeline speed.

The fast shutter would work in reducing motion-blur, but the frame-rate manipulation will only work if you don't have to record any dialog.
Changing frame-rates result in unusable sound recordings. I recently bought Cobra-Crane's SteadyTracker Xtreme. It's a light-weight low-cost ($299) camera stabilizer. I'm using it with a very small camera, but I believe it should also work well with Scarlet, and possibly Epic in a minimal light-weight setup. When using that, I only need to apply a maximum of 5% of stabilization in post, if any. You might want to consider this one too. With hand-held shots I apply about 30-40% of the same. With Marcalli it looks very natural, and it can even automatically correct rolling shutter issues, but if you have too much perspective changes because of unwanted camera moves, and/or camera-move driven motion blur, nothing will be able to make it look right in post. As always, it's always best to get it right in camera as much as possible.

Good luck with your shoot!

[Shane Kelly]

Yeah, an Easy Rig is hopefully going to be an option.

I'm hesitant to make footage adjustments (higher shutter, higher frame rate) while shooting because I don't want the walking sections to stand out. However, maybe I was being too optimistic thinking post stabilization wouldn't change the look too much.

The bulk of this movie is handheld, so some shake in the image is expected to remain. I need to get testing! If anyone has links to samples, or samples of their own, send them along! I've found a couple, but not much.

The choice to make a show handheld is often based on the look that it gives. It sounds like your show is handheld purely for budget reasons. Walk and talk handhelds are tough, I've done a bunch of them and usually try to dissuade the director from attempting them if he/she is looking for a steadicam type move. There are other ways to do it, e.g. track alongside in a car, doorway dolly on the sidewalk or write the scene so that it's not one continuous tracking shot without the budget for a steadicam.
As far as movies go, I think that "the motorcycles diaries" was mostly handheld and I know "fast food nation " was. (we used easyrigs on fast food nation") Also "Friday night lights " (tv show) was all easyrig except for some of the football games where we used track.

[Kim Frank]

To get smooth travelling shots with a handheld feel I like to get on a dolly with wheels but the Camera on my shoulder. It let's me control the movement a lot better and create the hendheld feeling rather than trying to reduce it.
In my Opinion completely stabilizing a hendheld shot won't give pleasing results. But you can control the stabilization, so that the shot gets smoother but keeps some of the original motion. Take a look at this toutorial to get an Idea: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial...shaky_footage/
Of course you can completely stabilze a almost smooth shot and the resoloution of the RED really helps here, but if you are forced to shoot handheld I would make an advanatge of it and tell the story in that way, other than trying to hide it.

[Ed David]

there are indie versions of the Easy Rig. I love the ENG Rig - but there is also the over the shoulder top stabilizer.

Also in terms of steadicam - buying a sword is expensive - but hiring a Samurai is quite cheap.

[Adam Eden]

there are indie versions of the Easy Rig. I love the ENG Rig - but there is also the over the shoulder top stabilizer.

Also in terms of steadicam - buying a sword is expensive - but hiring a Samurai is quite cheap.

As a steadicam operator I will be stealing that quote Ed... Best I have heard in a while! Good work

[Carlos Dueñas]

Also in terms of steadicam - buying a sword is expensive - but hiring a Samurai is quite cheap.

Well said!

[AndyRydzewski]

there are indie versions of the Easy Rig. I love the ENG Rig - but there is also the over the shoulder top stabilizer.

Also in terms of steadicam - buying a sword is expensive - but hiring a Samurai is quite cheap.

Excellent statement!

Just to update-- it looks like we will be hiring a steadicam operator (samurai) for the days we need it. Thank you guys so much for all the advice. You clarified a lot and made me realize where we can and cannot adjust our shooting plan/style.

As a follow up, if anyone knows of any over the shoulder support that is less expensive than the Easy Rig, I'd love to hear about it.

Again, thanks so much. To be able to discuss/brainstorm/debate with other professionals really is amazing. Hazaa for the internet!

- Andy

[JustinGD]

It sounds like you've got it all worked out, but I'll throw my two cents in anyways. Stabilizing in post works best if the shot is wide, high shutter speed, and panning or tilting. Tight, 180 degree shutter tracking shots are the hardest. Especially in tight spaces like the narrow streets of Barcelona. Without a solid tracking point in the distance, it is very hard to achieve. You can always track the subject, but that does strange things to the background.

Here is my favourite example of IS. They did everything wrong (on purpose) and it looks amazing. It gives you an idea of what it looks like when you track the subject rather than a point in the background, use a slow shutter, and don't even try to hold the camera steady. It starts just after the 6:00 mark and the effect is used primarily in the close ups. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4rO60aoJ04