A Quick Overview of Camera Stabilization

Morgan teaches video production and post production at Downtown Community Television (DCTV) in New York City. A student recently asked me about Steadicams®. I thought I would post some information here for her to retrieve.

From Wikipedia:

Steadicam is a brand of camera stabilizer mount for motion picture cameras that mechanically isolates it from the operator's movement. It allows for a smooth shot, even when moving quickly over an uneven surface. The Steadicam was invented by cameraman Garrett Brownand was introduced in 1975.

The Steadicam® website has sixteen different configurations for videocameras alone. A page to help you pick which model is best for you based on the camera's weight is HERE.

If you go to the B&H Photo/Video webpage you'd find many choices for DSLR camera stabilization:

Support Type

• Hand-Held (107)
• Shoulder (266)
• Cage System (200)
• Tripod-Based System (230)
• Body Brace Support (38)

Not all of these are steadicam systems but I think you're starting to see there are many options.

Beyond the typical steadicam support systems, gimbal systems are getting popular and affordable.

Here is a cool behind the scenes peak into a gimbal being used.

But they are not cheap. HERE is the least expensive model from Defy.

Finally, on Steadicam workshops: 2-day workshops cost $600. The workshop includes breakfast and lunch and attendees receive a Certificate of Completion and a Steadicam t-shirt. Learn more HERE.

Videomaker Interview's Final Resting Place

The 40-minute Videomaker interview with Nomadic Frames' Morgan Paar has found a permanent home. It should be able to be viewed here for all of eternity!

View it HERE.

Morgan's Interview Appears in Filmmaking Journal (without permission)

Morgan's interview in the Videomaker webcast was included in the most recent issue of The #Filmmaking Journal (Friday, March 14, 2014), without permission. I guess we don't own the content but I doubt very much Videomaker gave them permission to repost. Guess this is the way the world works in the Digital Age. More exposure I guess. It's all good with us.

HERE is a link to the issue of The #Filmmaking Journal

scroll down to "EDUCATION" to view.

Or just click HERE to see the webcast interview. Morgan comes in at 17 minutes.

Videomaker Conducts Live Skype Video Interview With Nomadic Frame's Morgan Paar

Wednesday afternoon at 2pm Eastern Time. Click HERE to watch live or watch the recorded segment.

Blog Post On Videomaker.com By Morgan

I wrote a blog post for Videomaker.com about a Panasonic press event I attended last Thursday. The press briefing showcased three new Panasonic professional cameras and a 4K production monitor that the company will unveil next month at NAB, the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas.

Check out the posting HERE.

The New York Times Travel Show

Our first New York Times Travel Show was a great success. We meet so many tour operators, tourism bureaus and other travel professionals over three days. We also ran into fellow travel colleagues such as Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi who helped us with your pitch.  Now we need to weed through piles of business cards, fliers and pamphlets and contact all the organizations we pressed flesh with.

Harvest and Eat Seaweed with Ngobe Indians

Have you ever eaten seaweed? Have you ever harvested it? You can do this and so much more at Urraca Private Island. Van and I spent three wonderful days in this paradise with the owner Francine Roy. Check out our 4-minute video below.

A big thank you to Nuque Palacio, Elisia Mumani, Cecilio Mumani and Ignacio Bruce, four local Ngobe India's who took excellent care of us. I really wish we could have spent a few more days with you!

Emmmm... seaweed. Eat it, drink it or spread it on your skin.

Cecilio paddles me out to the seaweed farm in a traditional Ngobe canoe. BYOMS (bring your own mask and snorkle).

Check out the video at TripFilms HERE

Check out Urraca Private Island HERE