STABILISERS GEAR.
SMOOTH OPERATORS
H igh-value investments from stakeholders such as studios, broadcasters and luxury brands mean demand on filmmakers has never been greater. Consequently, modern cinematography necessitates the adoption of innovative tools, such as camera stabilisers, to ensure the finest footage during filming. These include gimbals, tripods, sliders and more – and they all work by decreasing camera motion to produce clear and sharp images, which can be achieved through a variety of techniques. Inventor and cameraman Garrett Brown introduced the Steadicam (once known affectionately as the Brown Stabilizer) into the modern lexicon in 1975, when his groundbreaking piece of kit allowed for smooth and steady tracking shots with lighter- weight camera systems. A year
later, the Steadicam was first used in the Woody Guthrie biopic Bound for Glory . The rest, as they say, is cinematic history. Modern Steadicams, like those from Tiffen, run upwards of £5k supporting rig weights up to 9kg. More recently, the stabilisation space has seen a significant surge in growth, with the likes of DJI and GoPro releasing the Osmo and Karma Grip, respectively. While these were tailored more toward the prosumer, it has forced manufacturers of higher-end kit to review their prices and make things smaller.
To produce high-quality content, a stable and steady video shoot is essential, regardless of camera quality
STEADY AS SHE GOES Cranes, jibs and gimbals galore – these are the best and most stable systems going
WORDS. Robert Shepherd IMAGES. Various
“Garrett Brown introduced the Steadicam into the modern lexicon in 1975”
47. JULY 2023
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