Questions.

[Curt Heinman]

I hopefully will be ordering Cody's low budget rig book tomorrow, but before I do I have some concerns. It says the book allows you to build a complete rig from of the shelf parts from metal shops and hardware stores. But after snooping around here, I see that some are having an extremely hard time finding springs. And I have seen that some have them spec'd online, in addition to other things needed to build the rig. What gives? Is it a rig from the hardware store, or online stores? And also, I read in one post that Century Springs requires you to set up an account with them before you can purchase online with them. My big problem is I dont have a credit card, and I am actually using up a favor just ordering the book from Cafe Press with my friends card. No way I can order all the other stuff online. Is ordering stuff online UNAVOIDABLE?

Also tools. I've heard the price for hardware is 300-500 bucks. That aint including taps and a drill press and all, correct? The cheapest drill press in my area is at the local harbor freight for 42 bucks, vice for 9bucks. What all tools are needed?

Can one shoot the majority of a movie from a stabilizer rig if they wanted to? What concerns aside from XLR cables hanging off the side of the camera throwing it off balance, lighting, and other things would prevent you from doing this? And can you run a manual follow focus on a rig like Cody's low budget rig without jitter if you use a whip and are careful?

I really want to build this rig, but I dont want to get into all the online ordering and chasing parts, other than the usual bouncing around the local places. Thanks.

Curt

[David L. Holmes]

Hey Curt,

Add up everything you think you might need, then times it by 3.  That's what I've invested already, and the end is not in sight.  Not including tools, I'm in for an easy $500.00 so far, and I've got a nice sled (almost).  Luckily I have a cousin who has spent a few thousand dollars on a mill and lathe and is doing all my work for free.  I've been buying him mill bits, aluminum stock, and beer   One day I'll have to find a way to repay him, he's saving me a ton of money.

NOTHING can hang off your rig.  Period.  Anything that is attached to your camera must not touch anything else or it will become unbalanced.  Just by removing the lens cap, your rig will be off-balance.

There is no reason to shot en entire film using a steady-cam, unless that is really what you want to do.  Tripods, dollies, and handheld shots fill up most of the production work done in movies today.  I just watched a feature film this weekend, and saw maybe 2 or 3 shots that were done with a steady-cam.  The use of the steady-cam should be so you do not notice that it was done with a steady-cam.

Best advice I can give is this:  If you think building a rig will be more of a burden than a benefit, don’t do it.  Buy one   I'm having lots of fun building my rig, but I'm kind of strange anyway.

Good luck!

[Charles King]

...Best advice I can give is this: If you think building a rig will be more of a burden than a benefit, don’t do it. Buy one I'm having lots of fun building my rig, but I'm kind of strange anyway.

Good luck!

I think if Curt has read the 101 Forum he would have gotten a pic of what he was up against. and you say crazy? ha ha.. I think everyone here who is building a rig is NUTS!!!!!