How do I do a track shot like this?

[harmonica44]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGICutL_4os

The very first shot in that scene, the camera moves back along the table. But how is the camera able to move if there is a table in the way? Plus it starts out at the right of the screen too, so how did they get it to move that far, like so? Thanks.

 

[jax_rox]

Probably some kind of technocrane, similar to (but likely smaller version of) what they used for the first shot of this scene for The Social Network:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adI-QnpYBT4

 

[knightly]

Yeah, it's a technocrane, there's a bit of slow wobble to the stop at the end... (watch the panic room 3-disk BTS for more info on this).

 

[harmonica44]

Okay thanks. I have a scene at a meeting table as well, which a shot like that will be perfect for. But of course have no crane. I was thinking maybe of getting a constant aperture lens for shots where I cannot track because there is something in the way of where the dolly or slider would need to go. Cause if I use a slider in a shot like that, the slider can be seen when pulling the camera back. Unless I get a slider that retracts back and forth with the camera.

But say I want to do a shot where I want to track forward from one apartment building to another. I can't track cause there is gap in between the buildings anyway. I was thinking if a constant aperture lens would make a good substitute, since the zoom does not look quite as good as a track. Do you think it's a good investment if I will likely run into a situation where I need constant aperture while shooting?

 

[jax_rox]

A zoom is not the same thing as a track, truck, dolly, crane move, handheld, or steadicam move.

For a shot like that, I'd suggest using a 50mm or closer, placing a slider in a posi where you can slide back, see the table but not see the track, and then slide in so that you have a close, or relatively close shotat one end of the slide, and as you pull back you reveal the table. As long as you keep the camera at the right angle, and on a relatively close lens, youll have a workable shot that has the same effect.

 

[harmonica44]

Okay but I wont' be able to see the end of the table like in that shot, since the slider is on the table. But that's okay, as long as it's a good shot.

 

[WalterB]

A slider that retracts itself?
That's called a dolly without tracks

Put your camera on wheels and 'drive' it back and forth on the table.
Obviously you won't have the same freedom as in your example, but you won't see the slider track.

 

[jax_rox]

Why does the slider have to be on the table..?

 

[Brennan Wright]

Put a jib like a kessler on top of a dolly, depending on your budget of course.

 

[harmonica44]

I might want to get a jib later on anyway. I thought a jib just goes up and down, and around but does not slide back. I was thinking of using a monopod to save money but the monopod might not be smooth enough, as the operator will be using his or her arms, to retract it back.

 

[jax_rox]

I might want to get a jib later on anyway. I thought a jib just goes up and down, and around but does not slide back.

hence why you put it on a dolly

 

[harmonica44]

I guess. I thought a steadicam, a slider, and possibly a jib, would be enough for what I want, but a dolly too? hmm... that's why I was thinking of when I get a new lens, perhaps buying a constant aperture power zoom lens will double for any track I need. A zoom instead of a track, but a similar effect. A DP I met though says don't zoom cause it looks like a porno and it will make a bad impression.

 

[jax_rox]

zooms need to be used in the right place and time. They can sometimes look amateur, or news-ey, especially on a dslr lens that you can't servo properly.

also, a zoom and a dolly/slide/track are two different looks and aren't even really similar..

 

[harmonica44]

Oh okay. I have a DSLR so how can it not servo properly? I would have to buy one to try since no store has one to try out. The zoom look is not similar to the track, but I figure it's better than nothing.

 

[jax_rox]

A zoom servo is essentially what putting a motor onto the zoom does - what you see on the broadcast cams that can zoom either by hand, or by motor - similar to what you see in your handycam where pressing a button makes the camera zoom in smoothly and the harder you press it, the quicker it zooms.

Without a servo, or at least a proper cine zoom, zooms generally look sloppy, especially on DSLR lenses. They aren't designed for smooth zooming, as you don't/can't zoom in photography. You can have an AC perform the zoom, but again unless you have a cine zoom with a turning knob, it's going to be difficult, the difficulty increasing the less people you have

 

[harmonica44]

That's true but I would still need an AC going the track root, to pull focus during the tracking anyway, wouldn't I? So I still want to get the best for my bargain and budget on the equipment. So there is no lens invented for power zooming, that you can work just like a regular DSLR zoom lens then? I would love to test all this stuff out, but it has to be specially ordered, and therefore purchased beforehand.

 

[jax_rox]

Yes, you would need the AC to pull focus, but you'd probably need a 2nd AC to perform the zoom if you are going to be operating.

No, you can get zooms where the lens doesn't move as you zoom, and you could technically attach a servo to that - essentially the same as attaching a wireless follow focus. However, neither the zoom nor the motor are cheap.

Not to mention if it was on a job, slider, or steadicam that you'd struggle to perform a zoom by hand anyway - you'd struggle to have an AC pull focus without at least a whip as well.

 

[knightly]

If you're just looking to truck down a table, a skateboard works well... drop a sandbag on top of it to stabilize the camera and you've got a dolly with no tracks. You can even put a small tripod on it, or use a pair of skateboards (careful they both roll the same direction) to put a larger tripod on.

 

[Brandon]

Well if you still want to track forward from one apartment building to another, and you're really balsy, here's a cheap way to do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU9b3DxSkdk build that, but I would suggest with much stronger rope so it doesn't stand a chance at breaking.

 

[harmonica44]

I don't know if I'm that balsy, which is why I was thinking maybe a zoom lens is the way to go. I don't understand when you say that the lens has to be prevented from moving during the zoom. Wouldn't you want a lens to move during a zoom? Are we talking forward and backward here? Wouldn't it be better to get a manual zoom lens, than one that needs a motor attached to it?