2011General Discussion forum
Appropriate gradient angles for walking steadicam shots on ramps
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A gradient of 15 to 20 degrees is more manageable for walking with steadicam equipment than steeper angles
- Approximately 30 inches of rise over 96 inches of horizontal span produces a 31.25% grade, which translates to roughly 17 degrees
- A 30-degree incline is quite difficult to walk up and generally too steep for steadicam operation
- Wooden ramps can be constructed from plywood sheets with angle iron supports attached to a ladder for variable inclination control
- Supporting ramps at midpoint with apple boxes or cases reduces flex and bounce during operation
- Covering ramp surfaces with adhesive gritty step tread material improves grip and safety
Depends on
- Angle calculations in the thread use different methods and should be verified for accuracy
- The homemade ladder-mounted ramp design is described from memory without current documentation
- The practical experience shared comes from commercial production work but may not apply to all steadicam scenarios