A huge special thank you to my friend Dave Dugdale at learningdslrvideo.com for putting together this behind the scenes video while we were shooting a final day on our series for Unlock Freedom.
Unlock Freedom is an organization with a mission to stand against human trafficking. One of their big objectives is educating students in schools, and this video series we were creating is one teaching tool they’re using to do so.
I was set up with a DJI Ronin and Atlas Camera Support system, thanks to my friend Cory Reynolds at Contrast Media. With the Red Epic mounted on board, we had a pretty killer package.
Because this was a smaller budget production, we got creative and preproduction and determined a way to shoot all of the stabilized shots on a 24mm lens, stopped down to around 5.6-8 to keep the depth of field deep enough to keep a subject in focus without too much worry. We went without a wireless follow focus, which although almost invaluable to have when on anything other than a 24mm or wider, we were able to pull it off in focus.
I’ve used a Ronin or similar handheld gimbal system on quite a few productions to date, but I wouldn’t call myself a gimbal master. The shots came out smooth and are editing together well, for which I am thankful, but my lower back definitely can use some rest for a few days. With just the Ronin, it’s probably in the 20-30 pound ballpark. You add the Atlas support system, which clips two tent-pole like rods into the crossbar of the gimbal with a velcro clip, and I personally was able to shoot for much much longer, something like 10-15 minutes at a time versus 3-5 minutes going with just the Ronin alone. With 10-15 minutes we were able to accomplish all the shots we needed, so our small crew was able to pull it off.
Thanks to all the crew for pulling together an awesome last day of filming on a project we’ve been working on for almost a year now!
Original post http://www.learningdslrvideo.com/dji-ronin-atlas-2-rod/