The Steadicam® Operator's Handbook

Basic shot design

and the Steadicam operator

Even the best director can't describe every frame of a shot. One of the most fun and challenging parts of being a Steadicam operator is having a deep involvement in the final design of the shot. It is your responsibility to make the shot work. You are the one who has to move the camera through space. Where are you going with it? What are you looking at? For how long? With the freedom of movement the Steadicam provides, you can do almost anything; so how do you decide what the lens should frame at each moment during the shot?

What is happening in the story?

Start gathering information. Listen to the director describe the action.This is not always as simple as it sounds. The director is busy and shares ...