Shooting Using Track

topic posted Sun, October 28, 2007 - 8:10 AM by  Randy
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Hi All,

My next project involves using track for the camera. I have never shot using track, just wondering if anyone out there has?

Also wondering how it affects time in the form of setup and moving the track?

Also, what are the pitfalls, if any of using track?

My shot is in a large spacious lobby of a newly constructed hospital. I have walking and talking talent delivering lines. There are trees in the lobby area so I plan on using them as aribtrary foreground as well.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks
posted by:
Randy
Columbus
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  • Re: Shooting Using Track

    Sun, October 28, 2007 - 6:06 PM
    For that I would use our dolly platform. It has pneumatic wheels and is strong enough to support a camera, a shooter, and another helper. We've actually transported up to six people on it.

    But if you already have a tracked dolly, then I'd say spend a day setting it up and tearing it down repeatedly until you experience no more surprises.
  • Re: Shooting Using Track

    Mon, November 19, 2007 - 4:32 PM
    I actually thought you meant reference track like a music video by the title... for dolly track.

    Random thoughts on dollies:

    Totally depends on your dolly. A fisher 11 or something like that is going to take like 15 minutes to set with 2 or 3 people working on it. It's a heavy thing.

    A doorway dolly - not as long - or 15 minutes with 1 person and a momentary helper or so working on it. 10 with 2.

    If people are moving in your shots you can figure it will take at least 8 takes on average to get all your focus pulls, and camera moves, and pans. Doorway dollies are of course much much cheaper to rent and your insurance requirements will be less. You might want to bring some extra weight (sand bags) to ride on the doorway dolly though - weight helps a lot to smooth the move.

    I think pledge is used to smooth the track. I've seen baby powder used to stop the squeaks before too... but that's so messy.

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