Overhead Slider Jib Rig

[Eric Santiago]

Maybe this a dumb question but has anyone rented or worked or concocted something like this:

• Overhead rig
• Slider capability on two axis
• Jib capability for third-axis movement

I have seen one-direction shoots with periscope-like lenses but nothing like the above.

Help me, Obi-Wan...

 

[Alex Zeder]

Doesn't this sound more like a task for a camera robot? Or is weight/price a blocker for it?

 

[Phil Holland]

Fairly common to put jibs on track w/ a platform dolly or even heavy duty slider.

 

[Eric Santiago]

Doesn't this sound more like a task for a camera robot? Or is weight/price a blocker for it?

Dont have that kind of budget but yea I can see that working with a robot.
Just not sure about overhead though, never seen one do that.

 

[Eric Santiago]

Fairly common to put jibs on track w/ a platform dolly or even heavy duty slider.

That I would like to see in action.
I can picture it too.

 

[Alex Zeder]

Slider capability on two axis

The Waterbird MS Swift might be another option as a curved slider:
https://waterbird.at/products/ms-swift/

 

[Eric Santiago]

The Waterbird MS Swift might be another option as a curved slider:
https://waterbird.at/products/ms-swift/

Ooh I've seen videos on that one. Looks amazing!

The mechanics Im thinking of would mostly be an overhead-type system.
Almost similar to a jib in the sky.

It's basically a pipe dream of mine

 

[M Harvey]

You could get some of this functionality at a relatively low price with a remote head mounted on a lightweight rail dolly, e.g. Emotimo on Dana Dolly. Since these lightweight heads usually have a half-ball mount on the bottom, if you’re careful with your counterbalance on the dolly platform I suppose you could even extend it a bit with a slider or a camera offset. (This quickly gets dangerous if you’re not careful, so I’d recommend plenty of testing before you build it near people or using a camera you care about!)

While not a true jib, it would get overhead and give you slider movement with the added ability to tilt (and pan) remotely.

(Obviously a fluid head does that, too, but requires a platform for an operator to be near overhead level, which I imagine is otherwise often a problem…)

 

[Michael Male]

Innovision (in LA) made a 3 axis jib in the 1990's that was good for this. A four foot slider they also made could be mounted neatly on the end. I used it for natural history productions for about a decade. I regret selling it. It's a lovely bit of kit.

 

[Eric Santiago]

Innovision (in LA) made a 3 axis jib in the 1990's that was good for this. A four foot slider they also made could be mounted neatly on the end. I used it for natural history productions for about a decade. I regret selling it. It's a lovely bit of kit.

Was it similar to this:
https://www.proaim.ca/products/proaim-spin-3-3-axis-motorized-dutch-roll-pan-tilt-head

This one looks promising and not so pricey.
Still need a jib though.

 

[Michael Male]

The slider connected at the camera end of the jib and from that connection rolled either 2 feet forward or backward. Providing 4 foot of slide overall. The jib broke down into 3 pieces for travel- the front end, back end and weight basket. Slider was a separate piece. It cost about $10,000 new in 1993.

It was very stable when set up properly and I was able to do fairly high magnification macro and telephoto moves with the jib. The slider could be more tricky.

 

[M Harvey]

It was very stable when set up properly and I was able to do fairly high magnification macro and telephoto moves with the jib. The slider could be more tricky.

Thanks for sharing, Michael—it’s cool to see these setups.

Any chance any of the footage is available to see online anywhere?

 

[Michael Male]

Those production stills are from a one hour film Judy Fieth and I produced in super 16mm for National Geographic Television called "Lifestyles of the Wet and Muddy," about East Coast US estuary/salt marsh life. We spent two years making the film and finished it in 1994... before the internet (and certainly streaming) really took off. I don't think it's on line anywhere.

Back then time-lapse was done with film cameras, and helicopters and planes were needed for aerials. For low altitude aerials over mudflats in that film we strapped a gyro stabilized Bolex to the belly of a gyrocopter pilot. The new tech available now makes things easier, but there are a lot of toys to own, or rent!.

I still have that super 16 Bolex and Kenyon gyro if anyone wants some old tech.

Love my Reds going up to 240fps at 4K... MOCO, and being able to shoot time-lapse digitally!

 

[Nick Gardner]

• Overhead rig
• Slider capability on two axis
• Jib capability for third-axis movement

A jib with a remote head on a dolly does all of this. Just have to plan your shot to incorporate the arc of the arm. That can be minimized by being on a dolly.

A jimmy jib would probably get what you need, but if you describe the shot you want that would help.

Nick