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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

1st Person view

Brandon H

Brandon H

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Has anyone successfully mounted a super lightweight Epic rig to their head? I'm looking to shoot something in the 1st person view like a 1st person shooter video game. I've seen some skydiving rigs, but I'm not sure if those are too heavy to walk with.
 
Get neck support! But seriously, use a hacked 5d Mark3 in RAW and tokina 11-16. Epic is too heavy. My opinion.
 
Thanks Samir. That looks like a great example of what can be done. Honestly, using the red brick on the opposite side as a counter-balance, and with some neck exercises for a few weeks prior to the event, I think this can be accomplished safely. I've been asked to make a rig like this before in the past and also considered relieving at least a portion of the weight onto the shoulder. SO the mobility would still be there, there'd just be a tad bit of support coming from the shoulder as well. Maybe it could also be used as a total support between takes. If you want some sketches of some designs, contact me at jason@CinemaOxide.com
 
It's a really heavy camera for head mounting... might want to talk to a chiropractor about how to safely manage it. Maybe there's a neck brace design that would give you some additional support without limiting motion too much?
 
Thanks guys this helps a lot
 
I wonder if it would be better to mount only the camera and lens (no side handle, nothing else) on top of the head, putting screen and power down on a back or shoulder harness. The way the neck takes a lot less weightload, although excessive leaning in any direction would amplify the weight due to the increased distance to the fulcrum, i.e. the neck.
 
Or: this is what a MOVi rig may be best for.. and add shoulder rests/collar rig to center it in front of your face, lens at eye level..
though, I am still a bit uncertain as to why this would give you a better look than an easyrig, and pivoting on your hips, rather than neck/shoulders as you operate.
Am I missing something?

I mean, in skydiving, the advantage is that your hands are free to hold shrouds.. do you need the camera operator's hands free for this project?
 
I would guess that depending on how smooth you want this to be it could be accomplished by a really good camera operator with a shoulder mount, a steady-cam op or possibly a MOVI or easy rig. Attaching anything heavier than a 5-d to a crew member's head seems like a labor lawsuit ready made. On set injury is no fun.

In theory, if a shoulder mount is set up properly, the film plane is right next to the op's eyes. With a wide lens a skilled operator, with practice should be able to give you the look you want.
 
Acceleration and stopping things doesn't work linear, the powers working on the neck will go up to the "power of two". It might work for some situations, but I think it is not worth the risk. I think the best is here: http://www.easyrig.com
 
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being able to focus and monitor an image of a manual camera seems like a good idea.

f-ing hate the gopro crowds.
 
How about a stedi rig with a wide angle and you add as much movement to make it like a head cam as needed..
I have used a Canon 15mm fish eye shoulder rig to get a POV sort of shot.. Worked well.. Kind of had a GoPro look to it..
 
Not my finest hour, but I once shot a POV sequence on Epic by just clamping the Clutch to my shoulder really really tightly... put on some 20mm Canon glass and proceeded to play football.
Somehow we got away with it... had an assistant standing behind me minding the camera slipping off, but I hate to think about that ball hurtling towards the lens... was cheap glass at least but still had nightmares.
Set focus and just left it for the running/walking parts... there was a seated POV bit as well where had someone pulling focus on the lens just next to the camera.

I think it feels a bit more subtle/natural than the fisheye/gopro look

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There are some cultures where women carry large pots on their heads... surely those weigh more than a camera setup.
 
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