Dolly Grip Questions

[George Odell]

I've been working with my Elemack spyder dolly (actually I have two of them) and have some questions for the pros out there.

 

1) What do you folks use on the steel track (Mathews or American) to eliminate any squeaks from skate-board-wheel style dolly sleds?

 

2) I purchased some thin 3' by 4' furniture blankets from Harbor Freight and run them end to end under each section of 8' track I lay out. I find many of my shoots are in private homes with expensive hard wood flooring. I also just starting using a product called Ram Board that comes 3' by 50' (Home Depot has it in their paint section). I lay this under the blanket for added protection. So my question is, what do you folks use as normal practice when laying out track in offices and homes?

 

3) On my last shoot... hardwood flooring... the audio guy picked up a creaking sound at about midway in the move. We investigated and found it was the hardwood floor moving against the sub floor. Is it standard practice to lay out (3/4"?) plywood in such cases?

 

Thanks for any help and or tips you folks can provide.

[Tad Howard]

I like to use 8' long carpet runners. They can be purchased from a home improvement store (the blue or orange stores). They are just wider than the track. Flip them fuzzy side down and rubber side up so you can slide the runners and the track for adjustments. Place wedges (only if absolutely necessary) between track and rubber.

 

I've used both spray type furniture polish and silicone spray as squeak treatment. Some folks have definite opinions, but I find either to be fine. Dish soap works too in a pinch. Good luck.

[Sanjay Sami]

I like to use 8' long carpet runners. They can be purchased from a home improvement store (the blue or orange stores). They are just wider than the track. Flip them fuzzy side down and rubber side up so you can slide the runners and the track for adjustments.

 

Good idea.

 

Use silicone - it doesn't build up like Pledge does (although Pledge works fine)

 

for the creaking floor, I have found that if I give the sound guy a good pair of ear plugs, it solves the problem :)

[Dave Hill]

Yes I know about this problem. Have you looked at www.hillrigs.com - they have a cushioned wheel and very portable dolly and track not relying on skateboard wheels.

[John Lowry]

With creaking sound from the hardwood floors you can put a little water down,which makes wood swell.This usally does it but remember a little @ a time or to much & you could have more of a problem.

[Jon Rosenbloom]

Hey Sanjay, I've been meaning to ask how you did those camera moves in the opening of "Moonrise Kingdom." Was that just regular pushing? The moves have a motor controlled quality.

[Sanjay Sami]

Hi Jon ... just good old muscle :-)

Wes Anderson movies are a real test of precision. Am working on his next one as we speak.