How to Make Your Production Look a Lot Slicker for £40 More

Tight Budgets

Tight budgets are common these days. But the demand for high production values hasn't fallen with a drop in funds. So how do you achieve a slick looking series of shots without breaking the bank? Hire a portable dolly or a portable jib for only £40 a day.

Portable Dollies

One way to make your production look like Martin Scorsese was on location is to hire Martin Scorsese. But if you had that kind of money you wouldn't be reading this. Instead, consider using a portable dolly with track. They don't take up much more space than a tripod, they weigh less than ten kilos and the cameraman can easily use one without assistance.

The most common models are the Digidolly, the Wally Dolly and the Hollywood Microdolly. The first two are made in Australia and the third is made, as the name implies, in the U.S. Different cameramen have their preferences and you can call us to discuss the merits of each. The Digidolly is becoming the most popular. Below are a few details on all three models.

Digidolly

Australian-made lightweight portable track and dolly system that can be set up on location within minutes. The dolly takes a tripod and it also has a low-level Hi-hat mount. The Digidolly comes with 3.6 metres of aluminium track and its construction allows for smooth movement.

Hollywood Microdolly

The US-made Microdolly kit weighs only 4.5 kg and fits into a soft case only 86 cm long. The dolly takes a tripod and comes with four metres of track. The kit can be set up within minutes and can handle up to 45 kg of camera gear.

Wally Dolly

Australian-made lightweight (8 kg) track and dolly kit. The dolly takes a tripod and comes with three metres of aluminium track. The kit can be set up within minutes.

Dolly Shots

So you've got the dolly, what'll it do for you? Use it for presenter links to add nice, smooth movement that takes it several notches above a handheld shot. Use it for interviews to give your interview a different, more interesting look. Use it for exteriors and interiors of buildings and homes. Use it to shoot performances. The list goes on and if used well the impact can be strong and you will have raised the production value of your shoot dramatically for an extra 40 quid and for only a little more time.

Portable Jibs

Like portable dollies, portable jibs can be used by a cameraman without an assistant. They need weights so taking them on a job abroad and incurring hefty excess baggage costs makes them impractical for that purpose but if you're using a standard crew van they're easily managed. We carry two models. If you've used them a few times, you can set them up within five minutes.

Eazy Jib

The Eazy-Jib can be mounted on a standard tripod with a 100mm bowl and enables a cameraman to do interesting camera movements almost anywhere. The Eazy-Jib has an adjustable arm length that can be set between 720 and 1600 mm (2 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 2 inches). It weighs 14 kg (31 lb) and can handle a payload of 18 kg (40 lb).

Quadra Jib

A portable jib arm that can be mounted onto a tripod with a 100mm bowl. The Quadrajib 2654 weighs 14 kg and can handle a payload of 19 kg.

Jib Shots

How can you use a portable jib? Again, you can make presenter links look far better than they will off the shoulder or from a fixed tripod. You can use them to bring any otherwise static subject to life. For shots around a garden, property exteriors and interiors, the list can go on. The result is the same as with portable dollies. The 40 pounds you spend will add many times that in production value.

Last Week's Lyrics

You may remember last month's lyrics question: who wrote "even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." That was easy but hardly anyone got the answer right. It was Bob Dylan. This week's is a little tougher. But the writer had profound impact on the music business. "I've never seen a night so long, as time goes crawling by."

If you have any questions or comments please send them to cal@procamtv.com. Until next month, happy shooting.

Cal Barton - Procam Television

Procam Television
Units 3 & 4
Linford Street Business Estate
Linford Street
London
SW8 4UN

Tel: (+44) 20 7622 9888
Fax: (+44) 20 7498 1580

Email: cal@procamtv.com
Web: www.procamtv.com

---

Memories That Get Lost

How many people have pictures in a shoe box? In... Read More

Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?

Have you read the manual that came with your digital... Read More

Photography - Rules of Composition

Composition is defined as the combining of distinct parts or... Read More

Should You Print Your Digital Photos at Home or Use a Photo Printing Service?

There are lots of options available for getting your digital... Read More

Sepia Toned Prints from Your Colour or Black and White Photos ? 5 Minute Digital Fix

Quite often I will have clients bring in old photographs... Read More

Who Had The Better Brushes Leonardo or Michelangelo?

Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More

Better Photos with Your Digital Camera

Everyone has a digital camera today and we all take... Read More

Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?

As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked... Read More

The Venice Rookery

Love is in the air at the Venice Rookery. The... Read More

Getting the Most From Your Digital Camera Memory Card

Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More

How to take Great Photos of Your Pet

We all love our animals. They do such funny, adorable,... Read More

Digital Camera Macro Mode

The digital camera is a wonderful device that allows a... Read More

Creating Personalized Photo Calendars

About Personalized Photo Calendars:Photo Calendars are 12-month, wall-hanging calendars that... Read More

The Best Wildlife Camera To Take On Safari

Good wildlife camera equipment on safari can make the difference... Read More

Infrared Photography and Big City Crime

One of the major problems of the larger cities of... Read More

Terms Used The In The Stock Photography Business

So you are a small business person or web designer... Read More

Types of Digital Cameras

If you are in the market to purchase a digital... Read More

Photographs Everywhere, But Is It Really Art?

I once heard a lady say to a photographer that... Read More

How Can I Preserve My Lifetime of Memories in Photographs?

Like most folks you have probably have organized and sorted... Read More

Digital Cameras and Digital Photography

Before you rush into buying your digital camera this holiday... Read More

Using a Camcorder to Record Family Events Quickly and Easily

Let's start there (but not spend too much time on... Read More

How to Create a Family History Video Memoir with Photos and Interviews of Your Loved Ones

Here are examples of two basic videos you can create... Read More

Photography Workshops and Master Classes

Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More

7 Things You Must Do If You Want To Make That Perfect Camera Shot

Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all... Read More

Candid Photography

Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than... Read More

Using Film Speed Effectively

So you have this great new camera. Now you're standing... Read More

Understanding Digital Photography

Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More

How To Become A Digital Photography Pro

Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More

Getting Your Photos Ready for Sharing

One of the main reasons people buy digital cameras is... Read More

The Primer on Digital Camera Printers

Once you have clicked photos through your digital camera, then... Read More

Entering the World of Digital Video Cameras

Gone are the days when you would need to employ... Read More

Light Meter Readings for Film and Digital

Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital ImagesIn order to... Read More

Portrait Photography: Tips and Methods

Portrait is defined as, "A likeness of a person, especially... Read More