Body Brace

Hello

I was watching behind the scenes for Lady in the Water and noticed Christopher Doyle was wearing body padding (wrapped around his waist) which he used for his hand held work. He seemed to brace his elbows on the padding as he shot handheld.

Any ideas as to where one might purchase it? I have several handheld jobs coming up and the shoulder pads just don't cut it for me. Suggestions where to purchase would be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

Leah Anova
Cinematographer/Camera Operator
Los Angeles

>>I have several handheld jobs coming up and the shoulder pads just >>don't cut it for me.

Have a look at an EasyRig.

http://www.easyrig.se/index.htm

The pictures look a bit goofy, but it's a nice way to put the weight on your
hips and save your neck and shoulders. Small footprint too - great for
tight spaces.

David Perrault, CSC

Have a look at an EasyRig.

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The only input I'd add regarding Easy Rig is based on my recent use of one on a shoot with an F900/PS Technik setup...(Anton Bauer/LCD, etc...heavy)

If you want the camera on your shoulder, great. It seems designed for this.

I was in many different positions and found that nearly any other posture results in you having to constantly fight the tension cable as it wants to keep retrieving the camera to a home position in a general area roughly above your shoulder, give or take some based on which way the boom is positioned...that boom isn't really long enough to get a rig that large out in front of you to any large extent like a Steadicam or a Glidecam would.

I was in excessively tight corners and I was frankly, happy to get it off. In an area where I had some room to work, it might have been fine...

Not a condemnation, just my experience.

Tim Kolb
Director/Editor
Neenah WI USA

>>Christopher Doyle was wearing body padding (wrapped around his >>waist) which he used for his hand held work.
>>Any ideas as to where one might purchase it?

---You can see a similar device in this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuWZI0yUUHU

It is blatantly a sofa cushion held on with three belts.
Try some place that sells second hand furniture.

Leo Vale
Pgh. PA

>>If you want the camera on your shoulder, great. It seems designed for >>this.

The EasyRig comes with one of three possible spring strengths for different weights of camera.
Depending on which one you have you may have to strip the camera down to stop it sinking or build it up/add weight
to stop it rising . Shoulder height is not a default position.
I have one and have found it immensely useful in many situations . It ain't Steadicam but nor is it simply less strenuous handheld.

You do look pretty silly wearing it , however .

Simon Archer BSC
UK

I’ve used a backpack worn the wrong way, stuffed w/ something soft and malleable like sheets or a pillow. Use one that doesn't have loads of zippers...

Eoin McGuigan
Mpls/St. Paul

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