Zero Budget Filmmaking: The Plank Cam

[bielvr134]

-50 budget

[sageriku]

You are guys are spot on! They did this for the background shots in the Moon of Endor rider scene in Star Wars Episode 6. I'm geeking out. Keep on rocking, mates.

[avonsworld]

There are better tricks for steady shots though my recommendation is to look into a Cam Caddie. They're efficient and very effective not to mention fairly inexpensive.

[MinneapolisSEO]

Looks like total shit

[14e]

its still to shaky as fuck

[missprisss]

it's too shaky.

[Raiffjr]

Nice camera

[Raiffjr]

Nice cs

[obsidensleet]

heres a tip...Dont use a green screen...Unless you Have After effects.....Please.....(if you respond to this you will see ghosts for the rest of your life, so don't respond to this).

[LonelyHitchhiker]

how did u blur the licence plate numbers??

[tomkatt747]

now if i can get a cheap green screen lol

[TechGeek95]

@tomkatt747 You could probably get a few of those gigantic poster boards that are like $3 each and spray paint it green.

[roshraw]

HELP Please!!! i need to know how i could recreate an Artificial candle light so i could use just one candle onside the frame but still get every actor lit enough to look better and clear . Thank you

[HANGER187]

I zink I zeer zomethink

[mexchico17]

Oh man, I love the bit at the end. "It's been in the family since... 1982" "It's digital, man!" And the weird looking monster :D very funny!

[noojra]

Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaa

:)

[nerd25101]

@noojra BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS­SSSSSSSSKKKKKKKYY! :)

[platinumare]

these are awesome, you guys are reall funny, especially the short parodies you use at the ends to demonstrate the techniques.

[tokuanimecitvguy]

Haven't got the people. I'm a one-man show. Doesn't work.

[RenegadeMaster07]

@tokuanimecitvguy it should if you create a handle for it as well. The two ends will give more balance than it would holding just the camera.

Attempt to balance the plank on something like a horizontal curved pole, then balance a plastic ruler. You will notice how quickly the ruler will angle itself before it falls. The plank on the other hand will have to accelerate for a lot longer to match the angle.

I think this works better with 1 person and i don't know why they used two.

[pitoloco]

hahaha, funny way to learn !!!

[Markinter5]

Awesome clip! Funny and informative.

[watertownchat]

Wow... you guy's are idiots. Horrible...

[nowsuperman]

i pied in my pans so funny

[MaghoxFr]

awesome, and "it's digital man" killed me LMFAO.

[spartan688082]

YO! This is a REALLY REALLY good idea. Exactly what I need for my music video! Thanks A lot!!

[FilmCrab]

Not sure if you know this but they talked about this video on the gadget show today. You'll get a few subs i'd say.

[golfthewlis]

@FilmCrab I had no idea!  thanks for the tipoff!

[FilmCrab]

They didn't give you a mention tho, the bastards.

They used the plank cam and said they found it online, but you're video is more or less the only one.

[jamessfromtx]

It's been in the family since 1982!

[hellhase]

Regardless if this is called Blairiot or Hughes or Red Baron or a flight simulator :-) or simply the plank cam this is very useful cheap tool. Can be enhanced with aiming fake gun.

With my friend we filmed Blairiotwitch on tree farm in 1986 using 8mm cam screwed on plank with broomstick. But problems comes frequently from the man on another end of plank, especially if he´s watching cam view display and surely with dogs and horses if flied over:-) No matter if filmed from head or from tail.

[golfthewlis]

That film was made 9 years ago and both our tracking and greenscren methods have improved enormously since then. Oh, and go fuck yourself, by the way.

[flashportalnet]

PWND. Great idea with the plank!

[ShadowMachine00]

@golfthewlis lol idk you are but nice lol and thats still a ogod video too

[RedtopStudios]

@golfthewlis Love it that last sentence my thoughts exactly.

[KradProductions]

Douche bag.

[aviatormxpilot]

@KradProductions... Douche bag, really?

LOL! Your name should be KrapProductions. Let me translate, SHIT Producers.

[Hi8films]

Yeah, Thanks Sam Raimi

[wetowels]

wow good idea! thx i bet i could use this in many cool ways!!!

[nictheartist]

Nice little hint for a low budget trick that I bet is being used frequently, and a variety of horror movies have copied this, too... It may be a bit shaky, but I love it, because it's so simple and effective. Thanks for the video, great stuff.

[omertia]

Hey!!! thats my plank!!!

[drpro01]

haha yall just put tape in that camera

[PsychoHellKat]

OMG! IT WAS KILLER RONALD MACDONALD!!

*runs away with plank cam*

[quads1234]

lol Gaffer Tape, is there anything it cant fix or do? i use it for everything!

[DrBreakfastMachine]

You guys are guerrilla filmmaking gods.

[Sealpie]

that was pretty cool!

[joesummerton]

Sam Raimi used the plank cam in Evil Dead because they couldnt afford the steady cam and it also gave a good P.O.V shot for the evil forces.

[HombreMarvin]

this is a pretty cool idea

thanks !

[kreuzfahrtinsnichts]

like in evil dead :D

[Superfoot]

Hey what happened to the dude? Did he get caught by the monster? LOL

Nice idea. I love simplicity.

[GregKirkpatrick360]

Nice planking.

[nprfilms]

Why not Just A wheelchair? I mean yes you may have to lay some wood down to track shots in the woods...but everywhere else is perfect...

[golfthewlis]

True, a wheelchair can be used as a makeshift dolly, and I've used one myself in the past. The plank cam is more for those 'impossible' shots where you can't lay down track without some serious expenditure. Plank Cam 2.0 is much more stable with a counterweight fitted below, proper camera mount and integrated ashtray,

[Tonystarkes888]

@golfthewlis please make more video's not long enough, iam quite intrigue in your clips

[nakedvolleyball]

@golfthewlis what about the vehicular undercarriage-cam? Great for driving in mud and over shrubs.

[JackSlicerProduction]

the builder wouldn't let me nick the plank :( so i nicked his hat :)

[samuelsantana]

That's the funniest shit I've seen on youtube for a while, the plank tip is shite, but you guys are hilarious!

[holymoleyproductions]

um not that good to be honest u ned long tracks

[YuanWenQing]

still rather shaky

[gmdinformation]

"still rather shaky"

Yes, that's what I was thinking too. It didn't seem much better than regular handheld footage to me. Pretty neat the way they could carry it over the cars though, so I can see some uses for it.

[Flythruproductions]

wait, wouldn't the tape wreck the camera. What if you only have a small camera like the canon md225? BTW LOL on the test film

[golfthewlis]

read previous comments for gaffer tape explanation/retraction.

[Flythruproductions]

lol crap green screen

[AngelTvpuntNL]

Love it :)

[itsuponus]

lol many this is wonderful.....check out my page, ima try to use it and see how it goes.

[FigLeafProductions]

love the video....tv stars of the future

[nictheartist]

This looks like a neat trick to get the cool "Spirit in the woods" footage, but it looks like it only works if you're reasonably tall - I'm 5ft, and would therefore need some pretty tall guys to help out! Nice video.

[Tris2006]

Cheep, but still looked rather good.

[allerliefstespookje]

funny

[coolhand6656]

This plank trick was used by Sam Raimi (Spider Man Director) in the early Evil dead films for the evil spirits in the forest. Get the DVD and see the Special Features for more info. These dudes obviously saw it!

[lmp4eva]

yup i agree , i think for a cheap steady cam use a plastic bag ...look at the vid response ... works much smoother , and you wont get nasty ass glue from the tape all over your cam

[W1tchingHour]

lol

[manatarms79]

lol

[MADEDITOR05]

horrible sound yet amazing technique!!!! 5 stars!

[stanleyedwards3]

funny, yet instructive!

[hpept]

Is that a Sony F-555? I still have one. Nice idea for original camera movements.

[oudeh99]

genius

[gracec3]

lol, funny~

[borderlinemedia1]

lols nice acting..

[BrownBear019]

genius! great stuff!

[capriccioso35]

brilliant!

[lildrummer50]

that's the best short clip ever!!!

[marrison13]

that is so simple but very clever! im impressed, must try that one!

[matreyia]

this idea kicks ass!!!

[confessionsindiefilm]

You guys are hillarious. Check out my vids on CONFESSIONS OF AN INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER!  Seriously...I think you'll learn some stuff there too about selling your movie!

[tomherlihy57]

I got that " MAN"!. What I was asking was, - what software are they using to accomplish the overlay, and what is the technique called. I have an essentially non-existent technical background but have recently developed an interest in creating training videos for work. So hold the sarcasm, and answer the question if yiou can, or perhaps someone else.........

[joeyjordisonboy]

its called chroma key, i dont know many softwares that do it but mine does and mine is ulead videostudio 10

[tomherlihy57]

Thanks for the response joeyjordisonboy. I am technologically challenged and i appreciate the concise answer. I currently only have Power Director which has proven to be adequate, but does not provide the "overlaying" option that would be beneficial in my work. Tell me if you are satisfied with the performance of the software and ease of use. Thanks again.

[GrandValleyFilms]

"It´s digital, MAN!"

[tomherlihy57]

I really enjoy your videos. Funny and practical. You use a trick to overlay yourselves onto another scene presumably with software. But I am a total novice. Can you describe that process. I have a PC. Thanks guys, keep up the good work.

[stevostevoproduction]

probably teh best intro to a video.

ever.

[tintinstooge8]

evil dead

[alexjseguin]

yo it realy works tank you guys

[kamalbocat]

friggin sweet man. u guysrock. great tip.

[shure8]

Can't you just carry the camera by the handle at your side?

[Springofpie]

ok, i got the tape on...oops yousaid middle...well i'll just take the tape off....oh crap....now what?

[golfthewlis]

Did you tape over your buttons? Obviously discretion must be used in how to fix the camera -depending on the type of tape used and where on the camera it is being stuck. In a previous reply to a comment I conceded that velcro or an old tripod head could be used instead of tape. This tip was made a while ago when cameras were bulkier and could handle a bit of tape. If you've got sticky marks on the camera then try rubbing gently with a Q-tip soaked in surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol).

[Springofpie]

tyvm lol

[OhNoItsGojira]

pretty cool.

[dreckfirmada]

awesome and still easy tecnique.

will remind it 4 my next projekt

;-)

[theqcontinuum]

Like your vid, great tip for steady shots. What if you don't have a friend to hold the other end of the plank?? - have you considered uploading this to Fame TV ? Satellite channel 187. Yes, I do work for them!

[eggaweb]

"once you've nicked your plank from a building site"... ha ha ;) Top video and good advice...

[theatomiceye]

Great video.

[Jinsek]

This is great info, thanks for posting!

[tardfarms]

niiiiiiiiice who needs a bulky steadicam when you have a piece of wood. Brilliant craftsmanship.

[cmstewart87]

The correct name is a Shakey Cam, but plank cam is more literal so that works for me haha.

[BeanAteFrankenstein]

wow. honestly.

that last vid scared me.

[ManyPies]

great tip.

[RollingDohnutCO]

good tip

[DaPlaidPenguin]

that thing at the end is hilarious

[CowmasterStudios]

very good tip, i shall have to use this for my next flick

[undichhabnichtgesagt]

that was beautiful :P

[cmcintyr7779]

HAHA, the green screen opening was rather funny haha

[rogoth1]

the trick is to move more slowly with it and tilt it slowly.

later you speed up the pace to match the actors so it has a nice gliding look...though you will have to watch for people in the shot because the will look like a benny hill movie. :D

[jackdt]

Great. Regardless of your "tip" you little film was just plain funny.

[XXGuitarPlayerDudeXX]

"it's digital man!"

lol

[matthias2986]

i want you to have this, its digital!

[sakthisaisaranyan]

Great Idea.

[NoFantasy]

Thank you for sharing the idea! I greatly aprecciate it ^^

[mard420]

that was cool i liked it, here is to mechanical over digital, well sort of

[smurk143]

also great, supermarkettrollies and skateboards..

[lprocter1982]

Sam Raimi did it better

[breakdance74]

i still wouldnt say that was completely steady... but much better than handheld

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Nice!

George Vreeland Hill

[meatpieand1337sauce]

Rofl (moaaaangroowwmoooaan)

Rofl "Its Digital"

Rofl ...... Just rofl :)

[legogeneral2]

that was pretty cool!

[BonePympin]

That was a good video :) I liked the Evil Dead seen :) Good work.

[LucianiStefan]

sam raimi invented that technique.

[pgrose123]

nice work guys

[digitalnasties]

use a monopod

[BurittoJoe]

monopod's dont work for tracking shots, go have to remain stationary, its not hard to build your own steadicam

[Alekx]

Hahah, nicely done.

Great idea. :D

[SmooothieMAP]

What Program Did You Use For The Monster?

[spunkycomics]

Very good tip. Ill try it next time.

(definitly an interesting film though... :p)

[IconMatthew1]

Thanks for the tip I'm subscribing to you guys

[maintayn]

yah yt featured a gay vid about making movies and your video was #1 on related vids.

[Swust]

it's related to one of the one on the homepage, i recon. But i must admit there are a few good tips in your videos. Certainly this plank cam! thanks a bunch!

[golfthewlis]

Did we just get linked to somewhere busy? all our Zero Budget Tips just went bananas with hits!

[zrkoz]

umm (you were featured)

[zrkoz]

and.... people watch the rest of your videos cause they liked the featured one! :P

[zrkoz]

and.... people watch the rest of your videos cause they liked the featured one! :P

[additionned]

ohh yeah baby talk about cock in the ass!

[mercilesstengo52]

lol.

"When you nick your plank from a building site" Even more budget tips!

[lowcostvideos]

I have the camera you taped to the plank. Do you still use that?! Its from like 1988!

[golfthewlis]

We were using it as a prop. Our decent camera was being used to film the scene. That's why we didn't mind putting gaffer on it. It was fucked anyway.

[RGBandit]

evil dead ripoff, its called a shaky cam invented by sam raimi for evil dead it was used for "creature roaming through the woods" shots and it was a plank that was alot shorter and one person held it. this was as we all know abused to the point of vomit by the bourne movies

[supermer]

I can't afford a camera...

[purelaker]

then get a better job!

if u can afford internet u can afford cam!

[thebeautyfulones]

Super tip but I think another thing you can use to good effect is a monopod. I used it in my video which you can see on my page. Show it some love folks.

[adamwoodhouse]

ah that was the evil dead monster! sorted.

[username5215]

Brillo!  Hey, my mom sounds like that when she's in her REM! Comforts of home, right?

[maccadiodrums]

lol

[panag3]

I love your guys tips. My low budget movie went from crap to not crap after watching these tips.

[Nicknamelessone]

Excellent Tip. Your Keys suck though.

[golfthewlis]

true, they did back when this was made. Now they're better!

[tedoymisojos]

HA! That was pretty cool XD

[Pivotationnater]

sweet

[Navisis]

Awsome Tip

[fusiontres]

lool AAAAHAHAHAH... YOU GUYS ARE GREAT. That made me laugh

[majorleaguefan]

you guys are amazing.....really inspiring

[SinFuckinCity]

make more videos! It's been forever!

[golfthewlis]

I'm on holiday! Seriously though, been working on some actual films so the DIY tips have had to take a back seat for the moment...

[rideenuff1265]

thank you for posting tht it really helped

[redalert676]

haha cool cheers

[Athraz300]

great info, thanks

[drwhoboy123]

oh thanx grate vid

[drwhoboy123]

i would not stick the camra by tape

[golfthewlis]

This concern has already been addressed. Read the response to the previous comment about using tape... and thanks for watching!

[Tmurda5632]

Hi im tryin to make a big movie and i need to find a good camera for the job. can anyone help me out

[3xylum]

omg, the end was fucking scary!

[me1108]

watch sock vs piggy

[codebreaker2001]

The Plank Cam is old school. There's no school like old school.

BTW, for those who are interested to know, you can use a camera tripod as a stablizer (similar to the Steadycam) for very smooth moving shots. This is just one of the few small tricks I picked up from visiting various amateur/independent film sites.

[bram8323]

This is a good idea. But is there any other way of keeping the camera at place besides using tape? I really don't want to have tape touching my camera.

[golfthewlis]

Yes, you can get a camera mounting plate at a photo shop and fix it to the plank. Alternatively if you have an old tripod that's a bit broken you can just remove the head and fix it to the plank. We used gaffer for that camera because it was an ancient hi-8 that I didn't mind getting tape on.

[bram8323]

Sounds great. Thanks!

[TheKillerWithinNJ]

How about drilling a hole thru the plank and picking up a screw and a washer at a hardware store? Seems simple enough.

[golfthewlis]

that would work.... (beginning to regret plastering that camera with Gaffer tape!)

[okee9]

thought you would :)

[valentinecochran]

nails... nail it...you could put a cloth over it, and then tape it. that's what I'm gonna do.

[Deadmeatproductions]

Hm, make sense. Maybe you guys should make a movie about this, you know? "Zero budget monster effects" or something like that?

Just a thought..