Body Positions - Steadicam Merlin Setup And Operation Manual

setting its angle relative to the guide, as you
intermittently hold and let go the Guide with
finger and thumb. (This is esoteric stuff – check
the DVD for this one!)
One-handed
operating is not as precise as
two-handed, but it can be extremely useful
when you need a free hand to open doors, move
extras out of the way or hold a sandwich. It is

9. Body Positions

Forward mode
(aka 'Missionary')
Missionary is what Steadicam operators have
called the basic Forward Position
earliest operating workshops in Rockport,
Maine in 1980. It is defined as operating with
the camera aimed roughly in the same direction
as the forearm of your guide hand. Try it two-
handed.
Hold
the Grip with one hand (your choice), the
Guide with the other.
Stand
with the camera facing ahead but don't
hold it way out in front of you.
Shift
camera to either left or right, so the spar
settles in beside your body. Either your "grip" or
your "guide" hand will now cross in front of your
body. Practice on both sides. Be sure not to bump
yourself with the lower spar.
Trim the camera to hang level and try a walking
shot. The fastest way to get the "trick" of
isolating your Steadicam from all unwanted
movements, is to walk rapidly for a city block
Forward Position ranges from the camera pointing forward to the operator's right side, as he
walks forward or backwards.
invaluable for extending your reach, particularly
for shots high over your head, moving through a
crowd, or for shooting way out to one side, so it
is definitely worth practicing.
REMINDER:
essential for both one- and
two-handed operating. (See
Section .)
or so. Steady it once you are in motion and then
virtually let go with the "guide" hand, even if the
since the
framing wanders a bit, even if it ends up looking
sideways.
As you walk, gradually touch the Guide more
frequently, so it begins to point where you want,
and then continuously, but ultra-lightly.
Learn to avoid that over-controlling death-grip on
the Guide (the symptom is unwanted lurching of
the frame side-to-side).
Forward Position
shots and shots looking to either side. This is
your standard, everyday, meat & potatoes shot
and it's how you'll operate Merlin 90% of the
time,
You can approach or follow somebody, and even
when you're backing up, it's still the 'Forward
Position' if the camera and your guiding forearm
are pointed mostly the same way.
Correct Trim is
is for easy straight-ahead
Body Positions