PROJECT ASSIGNMENT:

Your assignment is to write a 5-7 page research paper on The Steady Cam:

The final paper, with its bibliography, is to be turned in before the end of week. The coversheet, bibliography, and any graphs or images, or appendix does not count toward paper length. The body of the paper should have a one inch margin on all four sides, be doubled-space, and use a standard font style (such as Times New Roman, Courier, or Ariel) and font size (11 or 12).

Description of Project

The Steady Cam: Outline

Introduction

1. The steady cam is a film production instrument that stabilizes hand-held camera images.
2. The origin and development of the steady cam can be traced back to 1973.
3. During this period of time Garret Brown was driven by the desire to improve his handheld camerawork.
4. This is because it enables the camera person to run without the image bouncing up and down.

History and Development of the Steady Cam

The origin of the Steady Cam

1. The steady cam was first invented and developed by Garret Brown, a renowned cinematographer.
2. In its infancy, the steady cam was improved by attaching a t-bar rig of plumbing pipe to the camera.
3. This allowed Garret to get his hands on the center of gravity of this revolutionary tool.
4. After that, the idea was reflected in the developments of the ‘shakinas and ‘pogocams.'

Evolution of the Pole Rig

1. In 1973, the pole rig was transformed to a parallelogram mini-crane.
2. During this time. Garret attached a fiber optic viewfinder from the camera to his eyes.
3. This made it easier to operate the shots.
4. In 1976, Garret invented a support system that utilized a 9 foot bungee cord that ran through pulleys

Garret's Achievements

1. Being the first person to commercially use the steady cam, Garret gained fame in the film industry.

2. In 1978, he received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award of an Oscar for his exemplary technical works that revolutionized the film sector.

How it Works

1. The steady cam is a mechanical device that enables users to move a camera with much freedom and smoothness.
2. It moves precisely where and when it is desired.
3. This requires standing in a position that does not strain the back.

Annotated Bibliography

Holway, J., &Hayball, L. (2013).The Steadicam® Operator's Handbook. New York: CRC Press.

In their book titled The Steadicam Operator's Handbook, Holway and Hayball (2013) narrate the history and evolution of the steady cam in the film industry. In this respect, The authors trace the genesis of use of this technology back to 1973, a time when Garret Brown was the first user of the Steadicam. During its first use, the initial desire was to attach a t-bar rig of plumbing pipe to the camera. This worked by getting one's hands on the center of gravity of the object. This concept reflected itself in the consequent inventions of the ‘shakinas' and ‘pogocams.'

Lucia, C., Grundmann, R., & Simon, A. (2015). American Film History: Selected Readings, 1960 to the Present. Massachusetts: Wiley Blackwell.

This book sheds light on the way that the emergence of the steady cam marked a major revolution in the film industry. In it, Lucia, Grundmann, and Simon (2015) argue that the invention of the Steadicam simplified the task of editing. This is because it stabilized the hand-held camera images. Furthermore, this technology enabled the camera operators to move in areas where cranes and dollies could not go, and follow actions without having an eye fixed to a viewfinder. Moreover, the authors assert that hand-held shots can now be as smooth as the traditional tracking shots.

Ferrara, S. (2013).Steadicam: Techniques and aesthetics. New York: CRC Press.

In his effort to investigate the giant steps that have been made to improve the steady cam technology, Ferrara (2015) explores some of the ways in which this system can be resourceful in film production. For instance, Ferrara (2013) mentions that the steady cam not only creates film effects, but it is also a narrator. Considering the structure and technical capabilities of a steady cam, the author states that it is interesting to assess the relationships that are developed between this method and the principal forms of narrative dynamics.

Giovacchini, S., &Sklar, R. (Eds.). (2011). Global neorealism: the transnational history of a film style. Mississippi: Univ. Press of Mississippi.

In their book titled Global neorealism: the transnational history of a film style, Giovacchini, and Sklar (2011) mention the significance of using steady cams in film production. This idea is stressed when the authors state that the steady cam serves as a human shooting platform. This is because its fluid motion and vision correspond to the human motion and vision. In connection to that, the steady cam's formal features make cameras best suited to highlight confusion of mind and speed.