Camera Slider Techniques: From a Dolly Grip

[@skatepark02]

I did a real estate job today and it was my first time using a slider properly. Needless to say my experience with it was exactly like your intro. Great video and thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge

[@skatepark02]

Btw, I also had to tighten my tripod today. I wish I saw this video first

[@PullMyFocus]

It takes some getting used to and to be honest, it's easier to do a move on a heavy dolly with a DP and AC sitting on it then a slider with very little weight. You are welcome, glad the video was helpful, and remember, you're a zen master-feather in, feather out, bend like a reed in the wind (so corny but so on point though).

[@jacobchristianglover3655]

Good stuff! I appreciate the time spent on this tutorial, had a lot of great takeaways. Be well and stay encouraged!

[@tomdchi12]

Great overview of some of the finer technical points on how to get good slider/dolly moves. I'd love to see a similar video on what you like to do with the slider/dolly shots. Here you focused on the the most basic camera-at-right-angle-to-the-track back and forth. But your example with Manu with the frying pan looked different. I'd love to see your take on 'the basics and beyond' of what shots you like to do with this kind of camera movement.

[@PullMyFocus]

I like the title "basics and beyond." You asked and you shall receive. Wasn't sure if viewers wanted another video on types of shots with sliders but sure thing, we'll do one.

[@squadtime4758]

Just found your channel! you guys gave awesome content!!

[@PullMyFocus]

Thanks and love, love your intro video. The energy was awesome and the physical camera transitions worked great. I was scared you were going to jump off the roof at the end, (don't do that).

[@BadKarma714]

Is that the Aputure VS-1 Fine HD monitor i got that one i love it so much

[@StarWarsJay]

Very interesting. Thanks mate. I just spent a few hundred on a slider (motorised) and it jitters. Am I better taking the motor off and doing it manually? Cheers.

[@PullMyFocus]

Well yes and no as some shots may require a motor such as using it during an interview or other long shots. Note jittering may be due to too much weight for the motor. Also try greasing the wheels and track with pledge or silicon spray.

[@StarWarsJay]

@@PullMyFocus thanks mate. It turned out to be two fold. One, my rig was on a magic arm and putting too much weight on one side of the carriage and two, the rubber track the motor wheels use to move was too tight. It was creating resonance. I loosened it and it works well now. Great tip using Pledge btw. Works like a charm. How often do you lube the tracks?

[@PullMyFocus]

Lube only once a shoot day.

[@StarWarsJay]

@@PullMyFocus thanks man.

[@andykirshner4910]

Great video. Curious how you mount your monitor. I’ve been mounting my atomos monitor on top of the camera, but I think the top-heaviness may be making my slider moves harder to accomplish.

[@PullMyFocus]

Great question. Generally, I don't mount it on the camera if I can. I either mount it to a light stand that I can place in sight when I do the move or on a very small tabletop tripod that I put on a table. At times I do place it at the read end of the camera, mounted on the camera rods using a Small Rig duel camera rod mount. It can get in the way of the controls and the SD card slots a bit but it keeps the weight lower and helps counter-weight the zoom lens. I also use the rig when I go handheld but it does mean putting a battery on the Atomos monitor.

[@andykirshner4910]

Pull My Focus Thanks so much!

[@PullMyFocus]

@@andykirshner4910 You're very welcome. I'm like you I don't like a top-heavy camera. Drives me nuts.

[@BadKarma714]

What about carbinefiber sliders is it still ok to use Pledge Polish on it?

[@BadKarma714]

What is the best way to use a small slider

[@PullMyFocus]

No difference then a long one but do realize that because a short slider travels a short distance (mine about 21 inces) it's be best used for closer shots or shots with something in the foreground where you can feel the move.

[@websitesthatneedanem]

Apart from Utube, what else do you guys do? 🙂

[@PullMyFocus]

We produce marketing videos for clients, our company is Pixel Valley Studio, we play PC computer games, and we're working on more detailed video courses to sell on our website.

[@kegstandjesus]

first!

[@kegstandjesus]

But in all seriousness, I'm heavily in the camp of using my skateboard because I'm cheap