The Steadicam® is a sophisticated camera stabilisation device which uses a combination of counterbalance and isolation of the camera from the operator’s movements to provide stable, mobile and fluid three dimensional images. The Steadicam® is composed of 3 main sections which interact to provide the 'Steadi effect':
The Sled – the main section of the Steadicam®. The top stage is at the top, upon which the camera is mounted. Below this is the post and the gimbal (from where the operator controls movement and direction). At the bottom of the post are the battery, monitor & electronics of the system. The camera is mounted on the stage at the top of the sled. Once the sled is balanced statically and dynamically, the weight of the camera at the top is counterbalanced against the weight of the battery and monitor at the bottom. The operator controls the Steadicam® from the gimbal - which is the centre of gravity of the system. A fingertip touch is all that is needed to control pans, tilts, and full movements of the rig.
The Vest/Harness – This is the means by which the Steadicam® is attached to operator. The vest displaces the weight of the Steadicam® to the hips, and supports the operator’s back. The vest-arm interface comes in the form of an adjustable socket block.
The Arm – This connects vest with sled. The isoelastic arm is the heart of the system, as it absorbs all bumps and shakes of the operator as they walk, and suspends the Steadicam® sled in space alongside the operator. The arm contains springs which can be adjusted to match the weight of the camera being used.
Put these three components together along with balance and a trained operator with a skilled, careful touch and it is possible to produce some incredible shots that could not be produced using any other means.
Invented
in 1974 by Garrett Brown, the rig was originally designed to be used as
a tool for specialist shots in individual films. In 1976, the rig
entered commercial production, and since then has seen widespread
international use. The Steadicam® has a variety of uses for the
filmmaker and has consequently been used on feature films extensively.
The success of the Steadicam® in this industry saw it earn an Oscar in
1978 from the
The successful application of Steadicam® in the film industry has led to heavy and extensive usage within the TV industry on live Outside Broadcasts, for example the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, UK Lord Mayor's Show, UK Premiership Football, Horse Racing, the Rugby World Cup and Football World Cup. The Steadicam has also been diversified into TV commercials, music videos, studio programmes and live music concerts. Again, the Steadicam's impact was recognised, on this occasion within the television industry, and led to the winning of an Emmy in 1989 from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Today, 30 years after its invention, the Steadicam® can be viewed as an almost obligatory tool in the armoury of directors in both television and film.
