Question: Filming from helicopter

[Rob Anderson]

An opportunity has come up for a shoot this weekend (Saturday). It's a volunteer production but we have access to very unique airspace. I'm 'stuck' flying on a helicopter that does not have any kind of filming apparatus, gimbal, or other. What would you guys recommend for trying to get the best quality shots possible with this mix? Will our footage be a completely blurry mess or is it feasible that we can actually get 'decent' footage this way?

The film-target is ground-based and fairly large, but I'll still be hand-held with either a high-hat or monopod assistance.

Also, any recommendations on shutter speeds, RC, etc would be great. Thanks.

 

[Peter Strietmann]

I've seen some bungie cord rigs that support the camera inside the helicopter coupled with a kenyon gyro and the footage looks pretty great. I'd use a high shutter speed and add notion blur in post. Also there is a Tyler mini gyro that works well, coupled with a kenyon gyro.

 

[Michael Dalton]

can always shoot a higher frame rate too. It will smooth out the bumps a bit. I'd suggest getting a climbing harness, climbing strap and hanging out the back door. Make sure you pull off any matte box, lens shade that will catch the wind. A climbing strap would be good to have for the camera incase you drop it.

Enjoy, choppers are fun.

 

[Peter Majtan]

The KS-8x8 is your best bet. Back with RED ONE we were forced to use the bungee cords to assist with the weight of the full camera setup. But with the size of the Epic / Scarlet - you can now operate these completely handheld (make sure you have a safety strap for the camera that will prevent it reaching anywhere near the rotors in case you drop it). The advantage of the new 8x8 is that you don't need to build any rig - it screws directly into the bottom of your camera. And the best part - you can just rent it ($400 for a week):

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/2012-02-04-21-28-47/gyro-kits/ks-8x8-kit-detail

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/rentals

:sifone: Peter

 

[Rob Anderson]

The KS-8x8 is your best bet. Back with RED ONE we were forced to use the bungee cords to assist with the weight of the full camera setup. But with the size of the Epic / Scarlet - you can now operate these completely handheld (make sure you have a safety strap for the camera that will prevent it reaching anywhere near the rotors in case you drop it). The advantage of the new 8x8 is that you don't need to build any rig - it screws directly into the bottom of your camera. And the best part - you can just rent it ($400 for a week):

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/2012-02-04-21-28-47/gyro-kits/ks-8x8-kit-detail

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/rentals

:sifone: Peter

Awesome. Would love to get this. Just shot an inquiry to the company for rental. If anyone has one for rent and can get it to Las Vegas by Friday evening, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[Peter Majtan]

Awesome. Would love to get this. Just shot an inquiry to the company for rental. If anyone has one for rent and can get it to Las Vegas by Friday evening, please let me know. Thanks!

Call them - the peeps over there are one-of-a-kind. An absolute pleasure dealing with them, they are super flexible - plus they will know (and recommend) anyone near you with a kit, if they can't get it to you in time...

You won't regret spending the money on this - especially if the airspace is as rare as you are suggesting. The footage will be worth so much more...

Peter

 

[Rob Anderson]

Call them - the peeps over there are one-of-a-kind. An absolute pleasure dealing with them, they are super flexible - plus they will know (and recommend) anyone near you with a kit, if they can't get it to you in time...

You won't regret spending the money on this - especially if the airspace is as rare as you are suggesting. The footage will be worth so much more...

Peter

Thanks again Peter. Just sent an email. Tried calling but no answer -- assume it's after hours for them. Hope to hear back quick.

Really wish I had more lead on this one but after an intermediary wrangled for months to get airspace access, it suddenly fell into place this morning and we were granted a very narrow time table for this Saturday. Kind of a one off deal. Looking forward to it!

 

[Peter Majtan]

Check your PM - I gave you a direct email for Randy. He might be able to see it before they see the "general" email back at the office tomorrow...

Peter

 

[Jon Chema]

The KS-8x8 is your best bet. Back with RED ONE we were forced to use the bungee cords to assist with the weight of the full camera setup. But with the size of the Epic / Scarlet - you can now operate these completely handheld (make sure you have a safety strap for the camera that will prevent it reaching anywhere near the rotors in case you drop it). The advantage of the new 8x8 is that you don't need to build any rig - it screws directly into the bottom of your camera. And the best part - you can just rent it ($400 for a week):

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/2012-02-04-21-28-47/gyro-kits/ks-8x8-kit-detail

http://www.ken-lab.com/stabilizers/rentals

:sifone: Peter

How does this compare to the mini tyler? Got a boat shoot coming up and am wanting to shoot epic. However, need to stabilize the camera and try to avoid the bumps, etc.

J

 

[Joseph Coleman]

If you don't have access to any kind of equipment, I recently went up in a helicopter in New York. I shots at 30 fps with 24fps timebase. I shot at a very high shutter, at least 1/240. I then just did hand held shots and used warp stabilizer in After Effects to smooth it out. I was incredibly impressed with how well the footage came out. All I had to do after that was use real smart motion blur to add the 180 degree motion blur back in.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Awesome. Would love to get this. Just shot an inquiry to the company for rental. If anyone has one for rent and can get it to Las Vegas by Friday evening, please let me know. Thanks!

Wish I saw this earlier, I have one for you.

Anyway, like others said, if all else fails...

Wide lens, high frame rate, I'd go 48fps or more and strap that sucker to your hand. Just go barebones on it and made sure there's a screw on filter on the camera, no hoods or shades though. Probably an ND if daytime. Zoom and stabilize in post. Try not to get too much of the chopper in the shot. Watch out for helicopter shadows too.

 

[Jason Comparetto]

I own the Kenyon 6x6 with a bungee harness rig combined with safety straps for anything that can leave the helicopter with the doors off. I wouldn't do an aerial gig with anything less these days, although I remember the days when all I had was me and my forearm for stabilization. I can't say the footage was great, but I have to admit the client loved it after I ran it through warp stabilizer in After Effects. Alot of it has to do with the chopper you're flying with, the wind conditions, the direction of the wind, the types of shots you want, and the experience of the pilot. I was doing shots over Manhattan shortly after Hurricane Sandy and I directed the pilot to fly sidewards to catch the 20 knot winds. It was a weird feeling, because we were moving around 25 mph at around 1000 feet, but there was no vibration and it was [relatively] silent because we were basically acting as a sail like a sailboat. You probably won't have that luxury if you're shooting a stationary object on the ground. I would definitely request an A-star if possible, they tend to be more stable. I can be reached at jason@CinemaOxide.com if you have any last minute questions about this aerial gig. Good luck!

 

[Michael Brennan]

Do a search on this site for "helicopter" and "aerials" for important safety information regarding "doors off" aerial filming which is the most dangerous activity for cameramen outside of war zones.


Mike Brennan

 

[Neil Dearman]

I have done 2 helicopter shoots and the main thing u want to do is bring only what u need. Meaning on a helicopter ride they are usually short cause it cost money to keep flying. First time was in downtown Atlanta for only 20 mins (half the time I was switching out lenses) so if u don't have a ton of time have a wide variety zoom lens with a professional shoulder rig. The 2nd time we were in the air for 45 mins. Both times we took off the door and put me in a strap standing on the landing rails. The heavier the rig the better so u don't get the shakes. My favorite lens is canon 24-70/24-105 l series. It was scary as hell but had a blast plus after stabilizing the footage it looked money.