DIY – Create A Camera Dolly Completely From Scratch

DIY – Create A Camera Dolly Completely From Scratch

on Dec 26th 2011 with 17 comments
Tutorial Details

Ever wonder how to get smooth footage from your video camera? Today you will learn how to build a Camera Dolly that will help you acquire this type of footage. Get out those dusty power tools, buy some cheap supplies at your local hardware store, and you’ll be on your way to capturing some amazing footage in no time!.

Tutorial

Download Tutorial .mp4

File size: 165.2 MB

 
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I have been a Graphic/Motion Designer since 1993. I enjoy the great outdoors, have a wonderful and loving wife and two kitties who are twins.  

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  • STIX

    Very cool, i will give this ago in the next 2 weeks.

    Thank you for sharing

  • YH Jeong

    Just Good :D

  • xandercorp

    Why not just buy a Merlin stabilizer?

    • frankyframe

      merlin? and why not just buy a glidecam? that should also be work fine.

    • Greg

      A steadicam and dolly are not always interchangeable.
      Steadicams often have weight restrictions, meaning you may not be able to put your nice camera, plus all the accessories (matte box, lights, monitor, mic, etc.) and still be able to achieve a steady shot.

      A Dolly usually can work with the cameras tripod, meaning there is not as much weight restriction. However, a dolly is not as flexible as a Steadicam. They require more time to lay down track, which may not always fit in your shooting environment.

  • jonson

    good video but realy bad audio

    • Scott Merryweather

      Really?!?! the audio is bad??? Did anyone else have trouble hearing the audio. It sounds find to me.

      • http://www.vimeo.com/everettoptions Adam Everett Miller

        I’m not sure what he’s referring to… the audio sounded fine to me. :)

    • islamoNET

      yes right !!
      but is a great tuts
      Thanks SiR Scott Merryweather

  • http://aedorde.com Djordje Pivnicki

    Great tutorial Scott.
    I would like to see more shots with your dolly. Do you have something online?

    Thanks.
    Djordje

    • Scott Merryweather

      Hi Djordje,

      Sorry, I don’t have any other sample footage from the dolly on-line at this time. If I can, I will upload some in the next month and let you know here. Did you want to see something specific or did you just want to see other examples of the dolly cam footage?

      Glad you enjoyed the Tutorial.

      Scott

      • http://aedorde.com Djordje Pivnicki

        Hey Scott,
        thanks for your answer.
        Sorry for late respond, but I didn’t received email notification for your reply.
        I just want to see it in action, for test. Nothing specified. Do not shot only for me. :) When you shot something more, for test or for work, I would like to see it. Anything, for test is only fluid motion important :)

        Thanks again.
        Djordje

  • Tvix
  • Henry Brigden

    Nice but do you think this could be scaled down for a sort of DIY DSLR glider?

    • Scott Merryweather

      Henry,

      I don’t think this particular setup can be scaled down to fit a glider set up… the glider would need to be a little more secure and not just fall off the rail at any given time. I know you can make it smaller with plastic and metal, I don’t really have access to those kinds of materials, time or fabrication just yet. Sounds like a good project. Maybe you should give it a go at making one.

      Scott

  • http://www.zebravideo.ca video production toronto

    nice tut, but i try to keep all my rigs in one case. for better transportation

  • sean vincent

    I built a heavy duty slider here: http://www.seanjvincent.com