The home grown actor-mounted camera rig
Fri. November 18, 2011
You’ve probably never heard of a SnorriCam, but you’ve definitely seen movies or TV shows that use ‘em. All it is, is an actor-mounted camera rig that creates a disorienting effect. I thought if we could get our hands on one of these for Little CEO, life would be grand.
Here was the challenge: They don’t appear to sell SnorriCams anywhere I looked. And to create a Snorricam small enough for my pint-sized nephew to wear required some DIY. There are a bunch of great how-tos to create your own. But alas, they were going to be too big and too heavy. You can’t plan for your lead actor to faceplant on the camera… though hilarious.
In seeing footage comparing Canon 5D footage with the iPhone 4s camera, seemed like we had a new option on the table. If our 7D footage wouldn’t be so vastly different from my new (excuse to buy) iPhone 4s, then we’ve solved some of the weight issue. But now for the size question and not to mention the pieces to build it…
I went to the lumber yard to get some ideas and some scrap wood. Side note: This is how I’m able to build furniture whilst drunk– As it turns out, scrap wood doesn’t buy itself! This particular trip seemed futile, though. I realized I didn’t have the tools, know-how or proper inebriation to pull this off.
Step Two: Call Dad. To say my dad is crafty would be an understatement. He’s something of an inventor really. His latest endeavor, AirTurn, has been sweeping the nation of digital music. And with that, he has a pretty extensive shop going. My dad graciously offered to try and throw something together for us. I told him it could be single use– just like the palm-frond-and-pizza-box shoes he made me in Mexico, that broke the moment we arrived back on the sand. He said he would see what he could do.
We exchanged some logistical and sizing info then went on our merry ways. I didn’t know what to expect or if this was even going to be doable. But a week before our shoot date, the finished product arrived… And pardon my Swahili, but it was fucking awesome! Excited and nervous, I strapped it on for a trial run. Not only was it exactly what we needed, but it wasn’t just built with single use in mind.
It has options for:
- adult-sizing
- other camera/phone fittings
- an extension arm to add some distance.
And on top of that, the materials are durable. When you’re all strapped in, it’s surprisingly comfortable. Like a big metal hug. We affectionately refer to this home grown rig as the LesterCam, after my dad… Check out the pictures and a short clip from our footage.
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- LesterCam (Front)
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- LesterCam (Back)
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- On set
If you’re local to Los Angeles and want to borrow it, please let me know! Would be great to know if there are others who could use of a little rig like this, and would certainly love some feedback.
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