Meet The Gaffer #79: Simple Overhead Camera Rig

Sometimes you want to rig the camera from above looking straight down. This is how we did it on two different projects with a couple different configurations.

[@tariqalexanderwaheed476]

Luke I want to say THANK YOU for all your videos. The info is GOLD and please keep it coming

[@meetthegaffer]

You are most welcome, Tariq! All the best in your work.

[@richardsisk1770]

WOW 😳 so many great ideas! I am happy I found your channel. Thank you 😊

[@meetthegaffer]

Welcome, Richard!

[@juancarlospena7089]

Can’t thank you enough for these videos. You’re my online mentor.

[@meetthegaffer]

Well, the instruction is not very linear... kinda all over the place depending what work I have, but I’m glad you find it helpful. Hoping to churn out a good number of episodes over the holiday:) Thank you for watching!

[@juancarlospena7089]

Luke Seerveld it’s perfect. I organize the lessons in my YT app by creating playlist depending on the subject you’re talking about. I’m really grateful that you take the time to do this. I’m so glad I found it. I’m already applying some of the things I’ve learned from your videos.

[@meetthegaffer]

Happy to help:)

[@jefffitzgerald5396]

Those grip arms to pull the overhead dolly, very clever!

[@meetthegaffer]

🙂

[@AwesomeShotStudios]

Improvise, adapt and overcome. It should be the motto of gaffers everywhere. Thanks for sharing, Luke.

[@Justindlee]

Mt. Tam in the background? You're in my neck of the woods. Great video!

[@meetthegaffer]

Yup, half way up a steep hill in Fairfax!

[@Nathan_Thompson]

Love this for a quick solution! I have used the goal post solution with 2 grid clamps and 90 degree plate. But if the camera is stripped down, why not use just 1 grid clamp? Good call!

[@jcskeeter313]

Loving every single video! Thank you for sharing. I'm sure it's on your list but I would love a video about setting up a book light and talking about using different fabrics for bouncing and shoot through and how they affect the light. Basic stuff but I hadn't heard of a book light until watching one of your videos. (Didn't think to search for this... maybe you already have a video out here.)

[@meetthegaffer]

A few episodes show book Lights, but I haven’t really gone through a step by step. Part of that is for the practitioner to try and experience and part of it is there are so many variables to consider. Maybe a combo episode about bounces and diffusions... Thank you for watching and responding!

[@adamlinssen4269]

What I do sometimes is just flip the carriage on the dana dolly so the wheels ride the top of the pipe and the upside down head hangs the camera.

[@prottentogo]

Could you also use black wrap instead of cello screen? I just looked it up and it's kinda expensive. Also, please don't ever stop doing these videos. They are amazing. :-)

[@meetthegaffer]

It’s funny, but I’ve never thought about using black wrap! I think the cello screen is a little stiffer and is able to keep it’s shape better if there is no rain hat above it. It’s a good idea to keep some airflow between your unit and the cello... but I don’t see why black wrap couldn’t be used as an alternative:)!

[@andrewward4385]

Luke Seerveld black wrap would melt a lot faster than hogmesh wouldnt it?

[@meetthegaffer]

I wouldn’t worry about black wrap melting so much as not being rigid enough to keep a channel for airflow without being flattened to the instrument by the onslaught of the rain.

[@Chalito5]

I'm just going to start referring customers to your video, you explain how to do an over head shot much better lol

[@waveoflight]

Those are the 4"uncircumcised gobo heads 2:35.

[@FOBulous976]

I've been doing it the same way with kessler shuttle dolly and 90 degree head off the edge. But I've been thinking of getting a small jib. Would that give me more flexibility in movement?

[@NeilAngeloBriones]

Hello Sir Luke. I just want you to know that I'm a fan of your videos. It is really insightful. I just want to ask, I hope you don't mind. What camera are you using in your episodes? Are you using specific filters like pro-mist?

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Neil, I use the LUMIX GH5 with either the 12-35 LUMIX series 1 short zoom or Veydra mini cine primes. I shoot 10 bit, 4:2:2, 4K and use the natural setting with no changes from the default. No filters. I know just enough to be dangerous, but overall I’m pretty happy with it given it’s for a Vlog and not the cinema:) I did just pick up the GH5s, so I hope to do some more low-light work and maybe figure out V-log. I’m kind of a hack, but I’m having fun. Thank you for joining the conversation!

[@NeilAngeloBriones]

Thats interesting! I could not tell the difference anymore of what camera you are shooting with your beautiful lighting setups! Lighting does make a difference!

[@sammorganmoore]

Here you are rigging a Camera (not a light) - I do both too - but struggle to give this skill a name/title which is understood by production companies - I feel it is specifically relevant to smaller shoots that would not justify both gaffer and grip and a vehicle per department, but need a body on set (and thier wagon of metal stuff) who can put equipment in 'odd' places safely. Do you consider 'Gaffer' to be the job of rigging camera and lights or is there another title? -'Griffer' I was called on one production!

[@meetthegaffer]

My jobs tend to be small to medium sized, so if I’m not alone, it’s me and another person... or a more manageable one and one with a swing or two and two. Ideally, the second person would be a Key Grip, someone who knows how to rig cameras or lights in hard to get places. Over the years I’ve filled both roles and feel comfortable doing both, but strictly speaking the rigging you indicate is the domain of a grip, not a gaffer.

[@pkdog5236]

Does the camera mount have a name? looked like a custom tooled piece, is it available for sale? keep up the good work. love your channel

[@meetthegaffer]

Modern Studio Equipment: wedge plate 0-90 degree modernstudio.com/products/camera-wedge-plate-0-90-s

[@jeanheguy6808]

Hi Luke, what is the model of the clamp to rail you use with the camera mount? Thanks

[@meetthegaffer]

It’s a Modern Studio Equip clamp: pipe to male 3/8” thread.

[@jamesbridges1107]

Hey Luke. Great video. Any links to the clamp and the camera tilt plate?

[@meetthegaffer]

Modern Studio Equipment: Clamp- modernstudio.com/collections/clamps-clips/products/grid-clamp-with-3-8-male-thread Adjustable 90 degree camera plate- modernstudio.com/collections/camera-mounts/products/camera-wedge-plate-0-90-s

[@jamesbridges1107]

Thanks for the fast reply.

[@lapropiaproducciones]

Hi Luke, I see they shot the Comercial on an F5 that was pretty much striped down to it's basics when rigging the top shot. I still felt it was still a bit unsafe because of gravity making it spin (it's just me, not judging your criteria). If you where shooting with a geared camera that has a lot of accesories and weight on it, and on a tight budget, how would you set it up? Do you have a video where you explain it? I work a lot on low budget. Thinking probably the best is usually a Danna Dolly and a Weaver Steadman or similar, but would you do it simpler and still safe? Thanks, love your videos mate

[@meetthegaffer]

Another simple way to go would be to have two pipes close together with joiners similar to what Jeff used for uprights in Ep. 101. If you span two pipes gravity behaves better:) Or like you say you use an under sling, but we needed height with a low ceiling. You could use a hood mount cheese plate between two rails too, but the rig get bigger and more cumbersome, so you have to allow for that. There’s always a way to get the shot!

[@lapropiaproducciones]

Luke Seerveld good ideas, and I get what you mean, a weaver would get a bit bigger rig and we are looking to get smaller and two pies would def help to do the trick. Thanks and have a great day!

[@Ricardoelsupremo]

4:52 What's the name of the "clamp" that they use on the Dana to prevent it from tipping over?

[@meetthegaffer]

That’s a Dana Dolly brake. Part # DDBRK1 www.shop.danadolly.com/Dana-Dolly-Brake-DDBRK1.htm

[@haoyu1779]

Good content! Is there a reason for putting sandbags on the shorter legs in the very beginning?

[@meetthegaffer]

Do you mean on the C-stands on the deck around the M18?

[@haoyu1779]

Yeah. Those two with the diff frame in the front and the other for the rain.

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, if you go back to MTG episode #4, I explain why I prefer to put the first bag on the middle leg, not the high leg. I hope that makes sense?

[@haoyu1779]

Yes I guess as long as the long leg is facing under the load, it would work both ways. Sometimes tho I had to put sandbags on the middle leg because it's a little too heavy that the stand would fall towards the side

[@meetthegaffer]

I would choose the middle leg first and high leg second:)

[@devPunks]

"We put a rain hat on it. & a ??? directly on the unit." Please elaborate sir. Re: what is waterproof material (bleached muslin? or...) Also what is directly on unit. Lastly is "Rain hat" the lingo? Thanks in advance my good man!

[@devPunks]

I do know 1 lingo tho... the S60...we (can) call that a "Pigeon light" yes? lol. That American "lollipop" is dope. I was just in the market for a couple and saw Kupo was a good one. But not so sure I like the extra long handle. Heard it pinches in overheads at the wrong time due to not having a ratchet handle. With the centering of load his one is perfect! Enjoy your day!

[@devPunks]

Using the grip arm as a dolly push. Gotta be a pro...or a band new beginner to pull that one off. :-) All those in between including me would overthink it.

[@meetthegaffer]

😬

[@meetthegaffer]

A “rain hat” in this instance is just a frame of diffusion rigged at an angle so water will drip away from the unit. The material that is directly on the unit is “submarine screen”. It’s like a wire mesh coated in plastic that seems to be somewhat heat tolerant. You attach it to a unit making sure there is a gap between the unit and screen. It’s handy having some chunks of it around for rain shoots where it may not be possible to cover all the units or ballasts. That said, the ARRI HMI M-series heads are quite robust and able to take on a fair amount of moisture, but I come from the days of tungsten and non-weather proofed HMI’s so my habit it to keep the units as dry as possible... plus it’s just good protocol around anything involving electricity:)

[@senogamoses5319]

Where can one get the rail clamp ?

[@meetthegaffer]

I’m not sure which clamp you mean, but are you familiar with Modern Studio Equipment? modernstudio.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm7zU4tXD9QIVMwnnCh3-pQwdEAAYASAAEgLPcPD_BwE

[@senogamoses5319]

@@meetthegaffer this is it. thanks