A fun announcement that might’ve slipped under the radar of many filmmakers was the Manfrotto MOVE System. It isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but it does a lot of things better than others. Manfrotto also augmented the basic QR system with a suite of accessories and tools that will work seamlessly with it. This means you can quickly shift between a ton of different setups with ease.
Some of the newer pieces include the 300XM Modular Gimbal and the somewhat odd FAST GimBoom Carbon Fiber Arm with the Gim-Pod. To see some of the tricks you can pull off with this gear we have a nice list of 10 examples from Cinecom.net.
The benefit that shooters will get by using the Manfrotto MOVE is they will save a lot of time. There’s only so much time in a day of shooting and having to spend a lot of it swapping out things like tripod heads or balancing a gimbal eat into that so much that it’s usually only worth sticking with one or maybe two pieces of equipment. With the MOVE, these changes are incredibly quick.
You can switch between a motion-controlled slider, tripod, gimbal, and boom arm in not time at all. The MOVE itself is a small, solid piece of kit. It’ll hold up to 44 lb and has standard threading for most support equipment. There is also a locking mechanism that’ll keep it extra secure and lock it into place.
1. Swing
Connecting the MOVE to the ceiling using a rope, they then mount the 300XM Modular Gimbal upside down. They can even still attach the handgrip (or use it wirelessly, to control the camera. Then just let it swing.
2. The Boomer
Using the GimBoom, you can quickly attach the gimbal to one end and the grip to the other. Plus, there are attachment points for adding things like a phone and monitor. Then you can now perform overhead and other movements that you would need a boom arm to do.
Image Credit: Manfrotto
3. Elevator
The Gim-Pod will transform the GimBoom into a more stable tripod platform – with some neat tricks. You can still perform some smooth moves and with the gimbal on top you can do a rise (or fall) effect with the camera staying stable.
4. Close Call
Adding the Syrp Magic Carpet Slider and Genie Motion Controller you can perform some basic slides. If you want to make something fun, look for small spaces that the lens might be able to move through at the beginning or end of the slide. This creates a cool look where you are able to get extra close to your subject.
5. Broken Neck
Interesting name. Using the Genie II Pan/Tilt on a photo tripod to save on space and weight you can stick this into cramped places to get a unique POV-type shot.
In the example, they set it up behind the drumsticks and then set it up for a pan move. Then, the drummer follows the camera’s move and it is a POV shot from right behind the sticks. Cool shot.
Image Credit: Syrp
6. The Snap
For a quick shot, they put a fluid head on their tripod and start doing some quick pans and tilts. The way to get a smooth, yet sharp finish to a fast move is to use the tripod head’s lock at the end of your move.
7. The Sneak
Moving back to the Magic Carpet Slider and popping on a fluid head this trick requires some props. Set up some cardboard or other object directly in front of the slider with some gaps that will reveal the subject. By using the slider to perform the reveals you can create a bunch of shots that will seamlessly cut together with the reveal moves.
8. Locked-On
Picking up a ball head and the GimBoom and now you have a monopod. Adjust the drag on the ball head but keep it unlocked. Now, you can smoothly but quickly get some camera movements that will track the subject’s movements.
9. The Roll
Combining a ball head turned all the way to the side with the Genie II Mini pan device (plus a bracket to keep the camera facing forward), you can actually create a smooth roll effect. You can also do this with some gimbals and their built-in controls.
10. It Ain’t Stupid
This last one is a bit weird, starting with mounting a MOVE to the midpoint of the GimBoom to mount it on the tripod. Then they use an articulating arm to mount the camera to one of the boom’s end points. Now you can use the extension to push the camera in and out of tight spaces. You can even do the roll this way.
What other tricks do you have in mind?
[source: Cinecom.net]
Order Links:
- Manfrotto MOVE Quick Release System (B&H)
- Manfrotto FAST GimBoom Carbon Fiber (B&H, Amazon)
- Manfrotto 300XM Modular Gimbal (B&H)
- Manfrotto Gim-Pod (B&H)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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