Before camera stabilization systems was invented, filmmakers either had to hold the camera in their hands or mount it on a dolly.
A dolly is a piece of equipment with a platform where filmamkers can place a camera onto. They can also sit on this platform to operate the system. Underneath the platform consists of wheels where it sat on top of a track. Another operator will push the platform to get the desired shot.
However, camera dollies are time consuming to setup and cannot always work for every shot requested by the director. Sometimes, the camera operator will need to go “hand held”. However with this method, there is no way of getting a smooth shot.
With the invention of camera stabilization, directors could capture shots with the convenience of a hand-held operation without any bumps or shakiness.
Camera Stabilizer Systems:
The Steadicam is a brand name for camera stabilizers used in motion pictures. The camera mounts onto the Steadicam’s sled. The sled has a gimble with a section where the operator’s hand can control the pans and tilts. The sled is attached to a series of springs that is loaded on a mechanical arm. The arm is attached onto the operator’s vest in which they wear, these parts of the equipment reduce shakiness when operating the camera. See the above video for more information.
Invention of the Steadicam:
The Steadicam was invented in 1971 by Garrett Brown and made available for regular use by 1975. Brown used the camera to create a 10-minute test video to show what the Steadicam could do, and this film was seen by many influential directors such as Stanley Kubrick. The Steadicam’s first use was in a film called Bound for Glory, and it was later used in Marathon Man (for chase scenes) and in Rocky, where it was used in street, running and fight scenes.
Most notably, the Steadicam was used in The Shining for much of the low shots just above the floor – resulting in the creation of a low mode bracket for the Steadicam so it could be used lower than just the camera operator’s waist.
Brown himself was a cinematographer, and it was him operating the Steadicam that shot the famous speeder bike chase in Return of the Jedi. Read more >>