Overhead Camera Angle Rigging on Location

[Jordan Raabe]

Can anyone suggest affordable solutions to achieve a direct overhead angle in a room on location? Our ceilings are only about 9 ft high, but we're looking to get several high, down-angle wides. We're on a 100mm Ball head tripod head, but can rent the necessary equipment to get the job done.

 

Here is an example of what we're looking for:

 

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/protectedimage.php?image=NatTunbridge/abovebart.jpg

 

 

Thanks for your help!

[JD Hartman]

Low hat and head clamped to top of stepladder. Two step ladders, two lengths of speedrail between them, camera mounted to right angle cheese plate, cheese plate underhung from speedrail.

[Kurtis Myers]

Swap those step ladders for something designed to hold speed rail, like clamps and sturdy stands.

[Rob Vogt]

Use a tilt wedge.

Or if you're shooting on a go pro just use a suction cup. ;)

[Phil Rhodes]

First-surface mirror, then you can mount the camera horizontally? Might need a flip or flop as required, but that's trivial.

[Gregg MacPherson]

Can anyone suggest affordable solutions to achieve a direct overhead angle in a room on location? ......

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/protectedimage.php?image=NatTunbridge/abovebart.jpg

 

Is there a reason why you don't immediately think of a jib arm? If you don't need much reach then the arm doesn't need to be very big. I used to own a crappy old arm on a rough pedestal with a 1.5m reach that was pefect for setting up these shots. An arm is a nicer way to quickly fine tune your compositions. With a short reach there is a good chance you can directly operate the camera and arm, introducing some potentially subtle and organic movement.

[Mark Kenfield]

Yeah, I just pull out the jib and whack a wide-angle lens on for these sorts of shots. Also allows you to very easily do a gentle 'push in' towards the subject, and the setup time is only 5 minutes.

Edited November 5, 2013 by Mark Kenfield

[John David Miller]

Build a goal post with pipe and put a ball leveler on it, or a cheese plate with a dovetail. If they get a periscope you can get even closer to the ceiling.

[John David Miller]

And remember to safety off that camera!! I've seen them fall...

[Sanjay Sami]

GF-Jib or equivalent ... its the right tool for the job and as Gregg MacPherson says - you can very quickly adjust position and height. As you say you have several shots to get through, this would certainly be my choice.