2005Journals forum
Steadicam technique for bullet-time effect in music video production
21 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Bullet-time tracking shots can be created by having subjects remain still while the camera operator moves around them with a steadicam, then using frame-rate conversion software to enhance the effect
- Twixtor software enables speed ramping and frame-rate conversion for slow-motion sequences with high visual quality
- A 10-second tracking shot around stationary subjects in a confined space produced smooth steadicam footage suitable for music video work
- The Canon XL2 camera with a Canon wide-angle lens performed adequately for DV-format music video production
Depends on
- The technique required a very tight confined space in a subway, limiting practical application
- Subjects needed to remain completely still during the camera movement for the effect to work
- The tracking shot was longer than needed for the final video edit
- Budget constraints limited equipment to consumer DV cameras rather than professional formats like HDCam
- This was an early project by the operator with a newly acquired steadicam rig