You might never need a DSLR camera shoulder rig, but the above DIY video still is worth your time.
Basically, this video documents a young videographer's father as he crafts his son a specialized camera mount out of wood. For most of us amateur woodworkers, it can be tough enough to make something out of a nice, flat board. This old timer scoffs at that idea. He actually starts with a tree branch, bark and all.
I won't bore you with the details of what a “shoulder rig” is. All you need to know is that they normally are made out of metal and can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. You can read this Wikipedia article on “camera stabilizers” to learn more.
The old woodworker's skill throughout this 2010 video inspires awe and deserves kudos. But the son deserves credit, as well. He crafted an entertaining, behind-the-scenes look at this process, and honored his dad along the way.
Some day, I'll get around to building my own shoulder rig. I could really use one for the videos I make for GazetteXtra. Though I won't be starting with a tree branch, it's good to know that wood is a viable option.
Thoughts on this post? Send me an email at [email protected], find me on Twitter at @andrewreuter or leave a comment below.