Comments on: Why a ShoulderCam Should Be Heavy http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/ Create | Innovate | Educate Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:02:26 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Chris http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-65995 Chris Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:58:14 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-65995 For shoulder mount rigs, why would one choose stainless steel rods over graphite rods? For shoulder mount rigs, why would one choose stainless steel rods over graphite rods?

]]> By: David Harris http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-61220 David Harris Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:04:48 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-61220 Shane, I love all the great articles you've posted on your site. Very educational and inspirational. I'm a film student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Last school year, I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Tronick. He screened Act of Valor at our school and did a Q and A. I was blown away by the action sequences of that film. That's what led me to your website. Thank you for devoting so much time updating those of us that are hungry for knowledge from groundbreaking professionals like you. My question is, What are MDR's? I've seen you mention them in a few different articles. I'm not familiar with that term. Also, I'm just throwing this out there. It would be awesome if you came to UNCSA and did a DSLR or general cinematography workshop. We've got some great professors (Michael Chapman, Tom Ackerman, David Elkins, John Le Blanc) but from reading your blogs I get the sense that you're a bit more in tune with the latest advances while still remaining grounded in DP/Operating fundamentals, and you seem to have a keen sense where filmmaking is headed. Shane, I love all the great articles you’ve posted on your site. Very educational and inspirational. I’m a film student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Last school year, I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Tronick. He screened Act of Valor at our school and did a Q and A. I was blown away by the action sequences of that film. That’s what led me to your website. Thank you for devoting so much time updating those of us that are hungry for knowledge from groundbreaking professionals like you. My question is, What are MDR’s? I’ve seen you mention them in a few different articles. I’m not familiar with that term. Also, I’m just throwing this out there. It would be awesome if you came to UNCSA and did a DSLR or general cinematography workshop. We’ve got some great professors (Michael Chapman, Tom Ackerman, David Elkins, John Le Blanc) but from reading your blogs I get the sense that you’re a bit more in tune with the latest advances while still remaining grounded in DP/Operating fundamentals, and you seem to have a keen sense where filmmaking is headed.

]]> By: Joel Hager http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-60868 Joel Hager Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:58:17 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-60868 Buying the Shoulder rig for 5dmkIII. Can you recommend a case for the rig good for lots air travel? Buying the Shoulder rig for 5dmkIII. Can you recommend a case for the rig good for lots air travel?

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-46075 Shane Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:16:20 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-46075 Bob Gilles, could not agree more. Bob Gilles, could not agree more.

]]> By: Bob Gilles http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-45312 Bob Gilles Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:42:43 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-45312 Same is true with Steadicam, more weight = more inertia, thus more stability. Same is true with Steadicam, more weight = more inertia, thus more stability.

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43849 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:51:56 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43849 Francesco Sandonà, thank you very much Francesco Sandonà, thank you very much

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43848 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:51:34 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43848 Dan Rubottom, there are many accessories that I have put in the MCS 2.0 to help you with that, there is added weights, lens supports, extra rod length. We had stainless up to 40". All there just need to navigate a bit. If you would like personal help. Please call my assistant Derek and he will help you with what you will need. (480) 307-3354 or derekj@hurlbutvisuals.com Dan Rubottom, there are many accessories that I have put in the MCS 2.0 to help you with that, there is added weights, lens supports, extra rod length. We had stainless up to 40″. All there just need to navigate a bit. If you would like personal help. Please call my assistant Derek and he will help you with what you will need. (480) 307-3354 or derekj@hurlbutvisuals.com

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43847 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:48:48 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43847 Jay slocum, two different feels. Obviously the Steadicam is going to be very smooth, handheld shoulder has more of a raw, like your their type of feel. Jay slocum, two different feels. Obviously the Steadicam is going to be very smooth, handheld shoulder has more of a raw, like your their type of feel.

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43846 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:47:32 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43846 Manoj Narula, you are so welcome Manoj Narula, you are so welcome

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43838 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:42:35 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43838 J. Nathan Evans, I could not have said it any better. When people pick up my rig, that is the first thing they say, this thing is damn heavy. Act of Valor was shot with a dslr and they camera weighed about 20 pounds, no rolling shutter. J. Nathan Evans, I could not have said it any better. When people pick up my rig, that is the first thing they say, this thing is damn heavy. Act of Valor was shot with a dslr and they camera weighed about 20 pounds, no rolling shutter.

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43836 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:41:11 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43836 Colin Ashby, you go to have a little mass there to be stable, that is all there is to it. Thanks for sharing Colin Ashby, you go to have a little mass there to be stable, that is all there is to it. Thanks for sharing

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-43814 Shane Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:24:35 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-43814 John Agcaoili, yes you need the back porch for the 5D. This will stabilize that baby like a rock. Thank you for your kind words. John Agcaoili, yes you need the back porch for the 5D. This will stabilize that baby like a rock. Thank you for your kind words.

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-42035 Shane Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:05:53 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-42035 squig, that sounds very cool BIRD of Prey. Love it. Thanks for sharing. We are making a new version of our handles so that they are rosetted and can do exactly that. squig, that sounds very cool BIRD of Prey. Love it. Thanks for sharing. We are making a new version of our handles so that they are rosetted and can do exactly that.

]]> By: squig http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-40349 squig Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:22:30 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-40349 I've custom built a lightweight carbon fibre/aluminium shoulder rig for my MKIII with parts from a number of rig makers, I call it the bird of prey. The rig itself is extremely light but I hang a lens case full of lead off the back so it's perfectly balanced. The major difference between my rig and every other rig I've seen is that my handles are mounted to the 15mm rods in a roughly 20 degrees off horizontal position like mountain bike or chopper handlebars. I find this setup much more stable than the vertical handle position especially for pans. I recently shot a short with this rig that I can't screen publicly yet, if you wanna see how this rig performs drop me an email and I'll send you a link. I’ve custom built a lightweight carbon fibre/aluminium shoulder rig for my MKIII with parts from a number of rig makers, I call it the bird of prey. The rig itself is extremely light but I hang a lens case full of lead off the back so it’s perfectly balanced. The major difference between my rig and every other rig I’ve seen is that my handles are mounted to the 15mm rods in a roughly 20 degrees off horizontal position like mountain bike or chopper handlebars. I find this setup much more stable than the vertical handle position especially for pans. I recently shot a short with this rig that I can’t screen publicly yet, if you wanna see how this rig performs drop me an email and I’ll send you a link.

]]> By: John Agcaoili http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-34221 John Agcaoili Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:07:49 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-34221 Hi Shane, Just picked up the C300 rig and a couple of the 5d action-cam cages to switch in and out of. I noticed that the c300 cage has a secondary v-clip to latch the rear stabilizer to and the 5d cages do not. My question is, is the back porch required or is the smaller base plate all I need? Love reading your blog by the way. Awesome job as always. -J Hi Shane, Just picked up the C300 rig and a couple of the 5d action-cam cages to switch in and out of. I noticed that the c300 cage has a secondary v-clip to latch the rear stabilizer to and the 5d cages do not. My question is, is the back porch required or is the smaller base plate all I need? Love reading your blog by the way. Awesome job as always. -J

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-24324 Shane Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:11:23 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-24324 Colin Ashby, ha ha, I hear you, go to have some weight there. Colin Ashby, ha ha, I hear you, go to have some weight there.

]]> By: Shane http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-24321 Shane Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:10:45 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-24321 Dave Young, you are very welcome and thank you for your support Dave Young, you are very welcome and thank you for your support

]]> By: Dave Young http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-21378 Dave Young Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:11:22 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-21378 Thanks Shane, I've got a couple of rigs for my C300 and have never been happy. You've just shown me the bleeding obvious...I've been able to adapt my rig to get the camera on my shoulder and it works great! Thanks for the great advice and keep up the good work! Thanks Shane, I’ve got a couple of rigs for my C300 and have never been happy. You’ve just shown me the bleeding obvious…I’ve been able to adapt my rig to get the camera on my shoulder and it works great! Thanks for the great advice and keep up the good work!

]]> By: Colin Ashby http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-21371 Colin Ashby Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:31:37 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-21371 Hi Dave, I think we're both singing from the same song sheet ! The moaners I referred to are my journalist colleagues who continually complain about the weight of equipment even though they never have to carry it. My fellow cameramen and women never grumble about it but then will quietly mention how many sessions they've had with a chiropractor. As you say ENG cameras are perfectly balanced and it is easily possible to balance the camera on your shoulder no hands. Hi Dave, I think we’re both singing from the same song sheet !

The moaners I referred to are my journalist colleagues who continually complain about the weight of equipment even though they never have to carry it. My fellow cameramen and women never grumble about it but then will quietly mention how many sessions they’ve had with a chiropractor.

As you say ENG cameras are perfectly balanced and it is easily possible to balance the camera on your shoulder no hands.

]]> By: Dave Moffet http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/10/why-a-shouldercam-should-be-heavy/comment-page-1/#comment-21294 Dave Moffet Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:04:48 +0000 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=7392#comment-21294 @Colin ENG cameras are pretty much perfectly formed! A rig can be incredibly difficult to balance. You don't have to look around very hard to see rigs pointing down towards 120º rather than a physically comfortable 90º (Arri 235) - I see so many 'moaners' compensating for poorly designed rigs that they need to 'unnaturally position and arch their back and necks. That's not good for any persons body. Not to get into a whos more of a man, but I'd rather stand all day outside a court house with a DSR570, than stand with a poorly balanced rig any time. @Colin ENG cameras are pretty much perfectly formed! A rig can be incredibly difficult to balance. You don’t have to look around very hard to see rigs pointing down towards 120º rather than a physically comfortable 90º (Arri 235) – I see so many ‘moaners’ compensating for poorly designed rigs that they need to ‘unnaturally position and arch their back and necks. That’s not good for any persons body. Not to get into a whos more of a man, but I’d rather stand all day outside a court house with a DSR570, than stand with a poorly balanced rig any time.

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