2013Operating forum
Operating camera in concert pit without tilt stage
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A four-foot stage height is manageable for pit work without a tilt stage by adjusting the sled for appropriate tilt angle.
- Slowing down the drop time on the centerpost helps maintain control when moving laterally and panning across performers.
- When operating without a tilt stage, the camera operator must train their hand to compensate for horizon roll that occurs during side-to-side movement, especially during rapid dynamic shots.
- Having a support person to watch your back and manage cables is valuable when operating in the pit near other cameras.
- Practicing camera movement at ninety degrees off-axis from your walking direction builds skill for smooth horizon control without equipment assistance.
- Dutch angle changes called during rehearsal require either rapid sled response or manual hand corrections to maintain smooth movement.
Depends on
- Experience from a single concert broadcast with a four-foot stage height, so results may vary with different stage configurations.
- No resolution provided for achieving perfectly smooth extreme rolls without a tilt stage; operator manual technique remains imperfect in demanding situations.
- Thread discusses primarily concerts and dance performances; applicability to other live broadcast scenarios unclear.