Dave's Favorites: Make Your Own SteadiCam

Ask almost any modern filmmaker what the most important innovation in the last 20 years has been, and the answer isn't likely to be digital video, surround sound, THX, or digital blue screening. Nope, most will cite the SteadiCam, a device that lets you get smooth-as-silk images from a handheld, moving camera. Without a SteadiCam, shooting video with a handheld digital camcorder leads to the telltale bumpiness and jerkiness that immediately identifies it as a home movie.

The only problem is that SteadiCams are expensive. My own SteadiCam JR set me back by about $600, and that's more money than almost any casual videographer is willing to invest to improve digital videos. That's why I was so excited to find Johnny Chung Lee's Web site.

This multitalented gentleman has designed his own version of the venerable SteadiCam--and it can be made in your own basement in an hour or two with less than $20 of materials. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit that I haven't actually built my own "poor man's SteadiCam" from his design. But I've studied the simple instructions on his Web site and not only does it look easy to assemble, but I'd wager that there's a pretty good chance it'll work.

In reality, a SteadiCam is a pretty simple device--it's just a platform on which the camcorder and counterweight find equilibrium, allowing you to move around without shaking the camera. Johnny's design seems to do much the same thing as my much-more-expensive SteadiCam. Intrigued? Be sure to watch the short films he made showing off the device. If you make one of your own, please send me a note about the experience.