Will Merrick, saving videographers lifes since 2009
@banya19873 жыл бұрын
2021 still hero :)
@quickjumpingfoxes9 жыл бұрын
Brilliant. An engineering genius at the beginning of the career.
@compressedcoal9 жыл бұрын
6 years after the fact...GENIUS!! Thank you!!!!
@WillMerrick111 жыл бұрын
While I'm sure a few people had thought of this idea before, at the time I posted it I could find no other documentation of it on the internet. I came up with it on my own, without any outside influence. Also, I now live in LA and spend most of my time working on films, and have never found anyone who has known this technique 'for years.' But if you did invent this before me, I applaud you!
@Left-Earth4 жыл бұрын
Something you did 11 years ago, is helping new filmmakers today and tomorrow. 👍✨
@mickrome30910 жыл бұрын
That's too much power for one man to possess.
@evankaplan230710 жыл бұрын
It would be awesome it you'd put that all in capital like this: THAT'S TOO MUCH POWER FOR ONE MAN TO POSSESS!!! (and cue dramatic BTTF music score).
@theviolinoob9 жыл бұрын
+Evan Kaplan hahaha hell I almost shit my pants
@Manuel_P_M10 жыл бұрын
After hrs spent on " let me see which is the best way to spend my money to buy a steadicam for my dlsr" I found your video : that's simply amazing and it works G R E A T . A lesson about how using our skills can help us to save money. Thanks from Italy , mate.
@dogcrick10 жыл бұрын
Genius! You've got 165 steady cam company's hating on you lol!
@RCCrawlerWorkbench10 жыл бұрын
I was thinking the same thing. Nice job
@Coolshows1019 жыл бұрын
A real steady cam will do much better and be smaller.
@tubybubi9 жыл бұрын
Coolshows101 and cost more than the tripod you already have at home. The tripod shown seems to be quite lightweighted. I use a Pentax K5 and a Manfrotto photo tripod with a ball head weighing 8lbs and it works quite well.The heavier the better ;-)
@Coolshows1019 жыл бұрын
tubybubi I realized that and have gotten a $20 tripod form Walmart and used that.
@eduardoperez990211 жыл бұрын
man, I have like 10 years dealing with cam and tripods...and never even imagined to do that! you are a genious...! thanks so much!
@Kle343 жыл бұрын
The youtube web address in "run" (on Hulu) in the beginning of the movie when the daughter is looking at a Washington State video actually leads to this video! I typed it in out of curiosity. Not sure if you know that or not :)
@georgedarjania727412 жыл бұрын
This has been by far the most useful DIY steadicam youtube video I have seen in months. Good work
@tookan3 жыл бұрын
your video URL it's in the movie "Run" around the 8-minute mark. weird.
@tookan3 жыл бұрын
oh and you're the editor of the movie. now makes sense.
@TheDrButtons9 жыл бұрын
Great frikkin' idea! Thank you! You've got guys like me who have been shooting video for years--maybe since before you were born--who might know all the proper names for the tripod parts but have never thought to make a steadycam with this simple mod. Well done!
@meditationstorytime10 жыл бұрын
You have renewed my faith in humanity.
@TheFarleyGordon11 жыл бұрын
I've watched hundred's of steady cam DIY vids and you have the best one yet
@PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman11 жыл бұрын
just tried this, it works so well with my carbon fibre tripod and i don't have to unscrew anything
@neonsox4u12 жыл бұрын
This is literally one of the best things I have ever seen...this is really useful to me as a freshman in high school because I am looking into Audio/Visual as something to do with my life, and as of currently I have very few tools to help me practice these things while I am not at school. My only problem is...my tripod doesn't have a screw to unscrew, so I cannot un-attatch the leg to actually make it the steadicam. But if I acquire a new tripod, this is definetly something I will do! Thank you!
@FasterTheDragster8 жыл бұрын
that's an awesome trick! now where's my tripod?..
@TheSateef7 жыл бұрын
wow, i just bought a cheap steadycam stick on ebay, bummer, this idea looks way better
@00KamiNoKen009 жыл бұрын
The best ever, I have been watching for days how to make a steadicam. I'm so lucky that I have a broken tripot so I can use it. Many thanks
@RiverSparks8 жыл бұрын
THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN ON HERE SINCE 2009 AND HAS OVER A MILLION VIEWS!!! WHY DID IT TAKE TIL 2016 FOR ME TO FIND THIS!?
@vinloc385411 жыл бұрын
BRO YOU'RE THE MAN! they don't teach you stuff like this in film school. I can't wait to try this out this summer.
@chaitai253310 жыл бұрын
This is one of the nicest advices i ever saw on youtube/ the internet. Very helpful - and much easier to adjust than the expensive and small professional Rig i tried to use before - "Steadywonder". I wish there would be a possibility to give a Donation to your Film Companys Work, as gratitude for sharing this knownledge!
@nandologia_11 жыл бұрын
Saw this video way before Film Riot gave it proper attention, and now they've made me come back. Awesome stuff!
@theviolinoob9 жыл бұрын
That's freaking awesome dude. Congrats
@AkashDeyadey3 жыл бұрын
The best DIY video ever probably. Thanks for real dude. It's changed my life
@owg12369 жыл бұрын
Extremely useful and just saved me 70 bucks! Thanks!!
@andnor9 жыл бұрын
Building steadicam systems is something i find fun to do. But this is an excellent piece of knowledge for when one simply don't have specialized gear and still want a stable shot. Thanks man!
@TheVegetarianBaker9 жыл бұрын
Can't wait to give this a try.
@سلمانعوبان9 жыл бұрын
ى با بناة ترية
@rosso.corssa9 жыл бұрын
+TheVegetarianBaker I'm doing it tomorrow. Can't wait :D
@viralgroovedotcom12 жыл бұрын
As brilliant as it is simple. First video I've ever "liked", and only the second time I've left a comment. Truly great idea. I plan on trying it.
@Rickandmorty_com6 жыл бұрын
your video shows up in 6:44 mark on the movie, "searching"
@LeviGenesove3 жыл бұрын
And the URL also appears in the movie "Run" by the same director.
@LeviGenesove3 жыл бұрын
Will Merrick edited both Searching and Run so that explains it.
@Rickandmorty_com3 жыл бұрын
@@LeviGenesove that's fun fact
@mobiledjru11 жыл бұрын
I'll certanly get one tripod disassembled in the nearest future! That's the most effective DIY steadycam I've ever seen. Nothing else matters! Thanks a lot for your video!
@nic0letji10 жыл бұрын
How would you focus the camera when both of your hands are occupied?
@FrStProductions10 жыл бұрын
With a lanc remote. Or you could put it on autofocus
@bashkillszombies10 жыл бұрын
Yeah, because auto-focus is notoriously a great setting to use. I'd rather not have a 'steadicam,' and have proper focus and DOF control.
@Dirk0Zijlstra10 жыл бұрын
If you use a wide lens and close the aperture as much as possible, you can get away with no focusing at all
@alexalcan9 жыл бұрын
Agreed with Dirk, it's best to maximize your depth of field so you don't need to adjust the focus. Since you will be in movement, any passing trees, people, etc. might confuse your autofocus.
@DanteRiccelli19 жыл бұрын
Luckily my camera has tracking focus
@chappydiver34459 жыл бұрын
Brilliant use and wonderful balance flexibility. As with ALL Go Pro equipment, the effectiveness is based on HOW you plan to use the tool. Well done Sir, Thank you
@axxdrian8 жыл бұрын
so awesome! but I attempted to do this on my tripod but it had no screws, just a riveted bolt so no DIY steadicam
@ThePowerBunny8 жыл бұрын
instead of the screw find the stud..... and push it out with a pen.... Then try the legs. If they stop , then find some wire because i snapped the leg off my tripod and then wound it up with duct tape and garden wire................ It works as a diy steadicam shoulder rig and allinone tripod
@jodybruchonentertainment8 жыл бұрын
If you're super handy with a drill or rotary cutter and can find a suitable replacement skinny nut and bolt, you can drill or grind the rivet head down and remove it.
@romansten97 жыл бұрын
Adrn Ncso Dont alter your tripod! thats just SILLY. add another pole. its easier, more secure, better results.
@jesusmedina-rodriguez848811 жыл бұрын
Wow, thanks, most ingenious. I especially like the shots in front of the mirror, showing us how to use it, and its so steady. Great job, and thanks for posting this!
@taylorlyons56443 жыл бұрын
This URL was used in the movie 'Run' on Netflix
@manow97513 жыл бұрын
haha I also did it
@jbflores0112 жыл бұрын
You are a genius! after seeing retail versions for several hundred dollars and DIY for tens of dollars, I now use my tripod for free! Thanks!
@kaunas16310 жыл бұрын
I respect you soo much for sharing this that I can't describe :O
@glenh7511 жыл бұрын
WOW! This is probably the best 0 cost steadycam video yet! It makes you think, "Now why didn't I do that!!???" Cause you know more than likely everyone who has a camera also got a tri pod with it... Thanks!
@RanggaDjati8 жыл бұрын
Amazing, it would be better for me to find your vids before i bought the steadycam rig tho...
@bbcasting11 жыл бұрын
The only people who would thumb this down are the people who sell overpriced "steadicams" and don't want this trick out there. This is great for a short film or low/no budget project. Thanks for the video!
@Vatolicious10 жыл бұрын
Well aren't you just a fuckin genius. Puttin Glide cam out of business here
@MonsterMidgets12 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. This is what I love. Filmmakers sharing their knowledge with each other. You made my day!
@dantealexxander Жыл бұрын
Where is THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON??? 😭😭
@leraginasian12 жыл бұрын
oh my god this video has completely changed my world. thank you thank you thank you. just did some tests with my tripod and i am blown away!!! and, thank you.
@wellyalb9 жыл бұрын
this is totally life hack.....
@ProducedbyGuardian9511 жыл бұрын
Ok, just tried this and it REALLY does work! Amazing outside-the-box thinking that saves a ton of money. It may look a little awkward but the end result is a pretty nice video. HUGE thanks to William for sharing his creativity.
@manow97513 жыл бұрын
I am one of the curious people who researched the run url
@MrWhadayaknow12 жыл бұрын
I agree! Video is well produced, excellent sound, instruction and narration. An excellent example of the kind of videos that make KZbin a treasure trove of information.
@Croisis4 жыл бұрын
Run.
@jffelliott11 жыл бұрын
Sweet. Nicely done. I love how steady your shots are.
@onishadow68503 жыл бұрын
i was watching the movie run on netflix and this was what came up when i typed a url in the movie
@Rmcthree10 жыл бұрын
Very awesome, as it is sometimes said: "Necessity is the mother of invention", as I could tell from your video you are a young man and instead of insisting your parents buy you a steadycam, you took what you already had, imaged it configured differently and "Voila" a steadycam. By the way the opening shots were great. I applauded you.
@majestikherbavor10 жыл бұрын
kerbal space music
@irinasmekhnova10 жыл бұрын
Heap!
@JohnnysaidWhat10 жыл бұрын
OMG...you just broke the gimbal industry! Thank you for this!
@SamMelik11 жыл бұрын
that's genius but still very big :)
@Buzatesri12 жыл бұрын
Really creative. Glad you put those shots in at the end to show how you used it. Thanks!
@devikanthsurya5588 жыл бұрын
Hi Merrick, I bought a new tripod and tried you hack. I got really good footage of my kids. Ofcourse i still need more practice but this tip is very very good. Thanks for sharing.
@asraharrison12 жыл бұрын
Brilliant Idea! Plus it is field portable and STILL functions as a tripod. Excellent work.
@EYRBProductions9 жыл бұрын
after 6 years, totally AWESOME. Trying it right now.
@peterclaver467511 жыл бұрын
WOOOOOOOW!!!!! You should receive an award for this!!!
@nemome58379 жыл бұрын
Great idea and impressive reults too. I get some pretty steady shots using my monopod upside down and then flipping the video vertically in my edit program.
@Bboy1dimitrix09 жыл бұрын
Whatever works to get those smooth steady shots! Awesome!
@OsheaReignMusic11 жыл бұрын
I felt like I was watching Malick's "Tree of Life" in the beginning. VERY well done man. you have a very cinematic style of shooting.
@53glowe12 жыл бұрын
Quite ingenious...well done. Results look very smooth / professional. Great work. Tks for posting the vid, very informative. Cheers, Gary (Australia).
@joshmihal439411 жыл бұрын
Great trick with a tri-pod. I'm really excited to try it now. The footage looks good.
@El_Smeghead9 жыл бұрын
You Sir, are a genius!! Had a spare tripod as one of the leg extender catches had broken. In 3 minutes I now have a steadicam :) 5 STARS!!
@bunkerbaz18 жыл бұрын
Great ideas are often so simple.....Thanks Will I am off now to try this out.
@rickyt48586 жыл бұрын
The link of this video is in the Searching (film) trailer titled SVPD Outstanding Police Duty Award: Rosemary Vick
@tragicvoices6 жыл бұрын
just found this
@tragicvoices6 жыл бұрын
apparently he's indeed a part of the searching movie so that's clever advertising!
@happylittlebrownman12 жыл бұрын
dude!! This was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for sharing. I've been using my tripod as a steadicam as well but not EVEN setup as awesome as yours. I'm totally converted now though. Gonna be spreading this treasure to all those I know. kudos. GREAT video! Thanx again!
@invisyblninja12 жыл бұрын
I applaud your innovation! With slight modifications, it could be made even better still for heavier cameras.
@ShaunKobrak11 жыл бұрын
I'd just like to say thanks for this, it was the sole piece of equipment that helped make the difference between my first commissioned piece looking amateur or Professional. Cheers!
@charlesfreeman38338 жыл бұрын
You're brilliant. I am just starting to experiment with ways to hold a camera steady. Very excited to try this. Thank you!
@milkPLUSpbj11 жыл бұрын
Will Merrick you are a genius! This is something I can do this second and I don't need to get any parts.
@WarmOnionFilms12 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh, this is so good! It's so steady! Amazing tutorial.
@plumstreetmusic8 жыл бұрын
Ingenious! I find that I can adapt your method to my black Targus stand by pushing the release button at the top of a leg.
@EconomyFree11 жыл бұрын
If anyone with a DSLR is curious, I have that exact same tripod and I tested it on my Canon T3i and it works amazingly! I even used it as a dolly and it worked!
@artfrankmiami11 жыл бұрын
Saw your vid that someone reposted on Wimp.com. Back in the '83 when video cameras were huge and had screw mounts on top, I did a steadycam effect by pulling out the center stalk of my tripod and screwing it into the top of the camera and then loosening all the locking handles. It had a pretty smooth sway as you walked, but were limited to low shots as high as you could hold the "bottom" end of the stalk. I had to use a Bogen tripod las a jib once, closing all legs and holding by leg's end.
@MagWrath11 жыл бұрын
Just made one of these. IT WORKS PERFECTLY!! I'll be taking my rig everywhere from now on! Btw I made one little adjustment. I took a bolt and two bits of wood and clamped in a 1lb led weight for counter balance. The results are amazing!
@animalsROCKhard2811 жыл бұрын
thank you so much for this! i am merely a recent high school grad searching for a job, so this is fantastic.
@johntadle233310 жыл бұрын
oh thank god you solved my problem, been searching for "how to make a camera stabilizer" and i never thought of doing that! :O
@JamieBlake9212 жыл бұрын
Yeah it works, i just done this technique with my tripod for my DSLR works like a charm, you just have to get the balance right due to the camera being heavy so a metal tripod works best, or even for ultimate steadyness use an old telescope tripod i used mine and it works better, get a good work out holding for ages too! Hope this helps.
@AdrianClement3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant! Thank you for going through the trouble to share this with us! Ive been scouring for ideas and this one is the best diy iv seen! Other than neither of my tripods will allow this alteration. Nonetheless, I will find a way to try this out.
@SouthSierraHikers11 жыл бұрын
Ya know, tripod manufacturers should take note of this video and produce future tripods with a quick leg disconnect that allow this function. As for me, oh boy, can't wait to try this out like the others here!
@TheeGamerverse9 жыл бұрын
Great! I've been looking to do something quickly and cheaply for a steady cam, for a music video I need to shoot, thanks a lot for showing this!
@Beatnikzombie12 жыл бұрын
Brilliant. Much easier than the way I knew which involves mounting the camera to the middle of a 2X4 and having an operator on each end.
@richyearle00712 жыл бұрын
wow...i can see you are no tradesman or even a photographer not being able to name the parts to anything.But you know what...That was a bloody awesome idea...Well done..thanks.
@Broadcastprophoto9 жыл бұрын
Happen to run across this video... I have that tri-pod...very creative and thanks for your video!!!
@clbiggins8310 жыл бұрын
Your voice is very calming. Thanks for the video.
@Quicorio11 жыл бұрын
Wow, very clever! But how do you cross a door or a corridor with that? Is it still stable if you make it shorter so you can walk down a narrow hallway? Just asking. Congrats for this amazing simple idea :)
@FlipThatPC11 жыл бұрын
if your tripod as a hook for attaching weights you can keep the legs closed and offset it with a few sand bags or whatever which helps keep the rig nice and tiny
@anxion_audio2 жыл бұрын
Just started watching the movie "Run" on Netflix and a KZbin URL was shown on a PC screen so I typed it in out of curiosity and ended up here 😋
@wyattloser12 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! I was looking at all these "CHEAP DIY STEADYCAMS" that were so much work and ended up being 40 bucks but this is exactly what i wanted!
@AwkwardPSN11 жыл бұрын
i been trying to think of all sorts of home made steady cams and have not thought of this. thanksssss
@fusion-music11 жыл бұрын
Brilliant - & look at the age of you. It's a "Tilt head adjustment screw/tightener" that you were after. You are a man that doesn't care what it's called, you just want to use it. Why haven't any of us come up with this idea? I was using a cheap tripod like yours but holding it lightly just under where the camera attaches to the tripod and using that for smoother shots, but your idea is closer to how steady cam really works. Gimbals are the way forward which can be bought for under £20
@akbychoice12 жыл бұрын
Great job and smooth editing. Well done.
@ChrisB25712 жыл бұрын
Currently making a DIY "Merlin" principle device but just found this - great idea and will have to give it a try. Thanks - forever seeking the cheap holy grail!
@ShytPhyre12 жыл бұрын
this is the best use of bathroom photos ever! Thanks this video will help me loads!
@RedCellProductionLLC11 жыл бұрын
Very nice! It's always nice to run into helpful tips like this that saves money. It's easy and it really works. Thanks!
@GnosisMan5011 жыл бұрын
REALLY NICE MUSIC ...AND A GREAT IDEA!! Your future is heading in the right direction, Will..