Chris Lange Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I would like to film inside a moving bus (small bus, driving on smooth streets) with a Red Epic and achieve fairly-stable shots (not bumpy or jerky). I will test handheld and a tripod. I'm actually okay with smooth handheld feel if I can pull that off. I might try strapping the camera to sandbags or beanbags, to seats or dashboard. I have not used a Movi - would that be worth testing in this scenario? Do you have any camera operation or technology recommendations for this? Thank you, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hegyi Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I wouldn't spend money on a movi if I were you. In a confined space like that, the tripod can go anywhere a gimbal would go. I would try weighting down the tripod with a sandbag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin R Probyn Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 What part of the Bus.. there usually isnt room for a tripod anyway.. maybe in the front area.. if you can take seats out also maybe.. but all the bumps will just go straight through the legs to the camera.. at least handheld your body will absorb some .. I would try an easy rig just to alleviate fatigue .. depends what look you want too I guess.. HH or not.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lange Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 I will have shots all over the bus. Easy rig might serve me well too. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin R Probyn Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I will have shots all over the bus. Easy rig might serve me well too. Thanks. Should be ok for sitting level shots.. standing you might hit the roof of the bus.. not sure your budget but on a film like United 93 they had a rail set up along the middle of the plane (set) and had a sort of bungie cable sliding rig.. this might work if you have the time to rig it/take seats out.. etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lange Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 That's an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing. Not sure if we need it that elaborate, though I definitely see the merits of that kind of rigging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin R Probyn Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 well I guess buses usually have rails or straps or something for standing passengers .. it you dont need "dolly" shots maybe some sort of bungie rig from these..? .. but there again if your sitting then an easy rig is probably just easier :).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael LaVoie Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 A lot of city busses are more like subways in the rear third of the bus. With seats that face to the side rather than the front which is more of a Peter Pan/Greyhound type setup. So depending on the script, I'd go for that setup if you have a choice. Cause you can shoot coverage on sticks with a lot more freedom and you won't have to worry about filling the bus with a ton of extras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabyasachi Patra Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 The tripod should give lot of vibrations. Something like an easy rig or similar variants will be better. Even completely handheld with just a barebones camera and lens would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lange Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Thanks, I think I'll go with the easy rig first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adrian Sierkowski Posted July 20, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted July 20, 2017 did a steady-cam for this nintendo commercial; https://youtu.be/wTPT8_8pzeQ?t=61 camera was an Alexa Mini (similar in size to red) with Ultra Primes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg MacPherson Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Adrian, That was a really sweet commercial..! The only flaw is that the dog didn't get to dance. Then again, if it had....Actually, as is, with just the idea of the dog wanting to join in, was bang on.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Eymannsberger Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Is there any more input on this topic, maybe from @Chris Lange after the project? Will have to shoot in a moving bus as well. The moving part is mandatory, because there's no way (or shall I say budget) to VFX/project the moving outside. My approach would be a non-handheld-one if I could decide, but reading this thread it might be the only chance. The gimbal issue would be that it might compensate to much for actually wanted movement, e.g. the bus while cornering. I also thought about hard rigging, but the issue would always be vibrations. Tricky business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hegyi Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 I read about this recently. I wonder if the vibration isolator (minus the gimbal) would give you the look you want? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Greene Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 I have shot Steadicam on moving busses with success. Even on very bumpy roads. I this case, the bus shakes, but the view outside the window doesn't, and I really like this effect as it is very close to the way we perceive the bus ride with our own eyes. The drawback is that there isn't always enough room for a Steadicam on a bus, and sometimes one needs to remove seats to make room. I would think that a hand held electronic stabilizer can accomplish the same effect, but in less space. And I would investigate this approach. I would also bring along some battery powered LED lamps to hide in the bus to help with lighting the people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lange Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 When I did this, I actually just walked around on the bus with an easy-rig. For more stability, I would pull the camera towards a seat edge or seat top (it was a school bus). This worked pretty well for that project. Sometimes I would use a tripod in the middle of the aisle as well. A key is to drive on smooth roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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