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Television Production & Broadcast Journalism
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Sliders
A slider is a motion control system that utilizes a track on which a
camera is mounted and moved across from side to side to emulate the look
of a dolly move.The camera operator “slides” the camera across the track,
resulting in a smooth and steady moving shot more often associated with
high priced dolly systems, Figure 3-25. Sliders range in size from two to six
feet and are commonly supported by a tripod or set of tripods, depending
on the size. Some more elaborate type sliders run on a motor and are used
for time-lapse photography. A slider is a way to add dolly style movement
for a fraction of the cost.
slider: A motion control
system that utilizes a track on
which a camera is mounted
and moved across from side
to side to emulate the look of
a dolly move.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 3-25. A slider is a
device a camera can be
mounted to that enables
the operator to smoothly
slide the camera along a
track.
Jib
A jib is a type of camera mount that allows the camera to be raised
high over the set and swung in any direction, Figure 3-26. It is a long pole
on a lever with a camera mount on one end of the pole and a handle and
camera controls on the other end of the pole. It operates much like a seesaw
and captures crane-type shots (up to reasonable heights) with the operator
safely on the ground.
The alternative to using a jib is a mechanical camera crane, which comes
from the early days of fi lmmaking. On one end of the lever arm is a camera
mount and a seat (with seat belt) for the camera operator. The other end of
the lever arm is equipped with heavy counterbalancing weights. The device
is mechanically operated by a second individual who raises and lowers
the camera and operator on the end of the lever arm to capture the shots
required. A third person is required to manage any necessary manual move-
ment of the crane and monitor safety conditions. This device is very danger-
ous and has been known to nearly catapult camera operators if raised too
quickly—the addition of a seat belt was a precaution against this hazard.
jib: A type of camera mount
that allows the camera to be
raised high over the set and
swung in any direction.