2004Sled forum
Dual-camera sled design for filming subjects of varying heights in television production
22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A two-camera sled was built to accommodate filming both child performers and standard television shots, with one camera positioned low for shorter subjects and one positioned high for conventional framing
- The setup weighed approximately 30 kilograms and used a spring-loaded arm for support
- Each camera operated independently, with the operator selecting which camera to use via a switch on the lower camera plate
- A personal digital assistant worn on the arm displayed shot sequences and cued the operator on which movements to execute and which camera mode to use
- Video signals were transmitted wirelessly rather than recorded directly on the cameras
- The operator maintained tally information from the startup camera to know which camera was currently broadcasting
- A show lasting two hours was filmed in non-consecutive segments for the operator
- Future improvements considered included remote focus control on both lenses using a modified system and consolidating to a single monitor and single control unit
Depends on
- The exact camera models and specifications are not fully detailed
- Balance characteristics and trimming methods for the dual-camera configuration are only partially described
- Power source details are limited to mention of three batteries visible in the photograph
- The specific wireless transmission system used is not named
- Whether both cameras recorded simultaneously or required manual switching between feeds is unclear