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Television Production & Broadcast Journalism
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Watch the news on network television and notice how
brief the hand-held shots are that actually make it on air. You
may not even be able to determine which shots are hand-
held because a good editor will cut out the jerky movements.
It is not particularly difficult to hand-hold a camera for a few
seconds, especially if the camera is completely zoomed out.
Application Activity
In certain types of productions (particularly entertainment program-
ming) the jerky effect of using the hand-held camera is actually desired as
part of the creative vision of the director. This jerky effect is specifi cally
planned for and integrated into the program. Use of hand-held technique
is carefully thought out and can be justifi ed to a producer. Trying to pass
off poor quality work as “Oh, well, it’s a jerky camera shot because I
intended for that to be the effect” will never be acceptable to a savvy
producer.
The Glidecam and Steadicam are examples of camera stabilization
devices that attach to a harness worn by the camera operator, Figure 3-20.
This harness is similar to that worn by a bass drummer in a marching band.
A spring-loaded and shock absorbing arm is attached to the harness. The
camera attaches to the arm using the same kind of mounting plate found
on tripods. The weight of the camera is taken by the harness and, therefore,
by the operator’s entire torso. Because the arm is spring-loaded, the camera
shot is kept steady even while the operator climbs steps, runs, or walks.
Glidecam Industries, Inc.
Figure 3-20. The
Glidecam is a body mount
that facilitates very smooth
camerawork without using
a tripod.