Smooth Video Without A Gimbal

Here's a quick breakdown of how I get away with some smooth moving shots in my videos. In no way do I think 3 axis gimbals or glidecams aren't necessary, but if you're in a pinch hopefully these tips will help you out!

My whole filmmaking kit:

Gear used in this video:
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Camera:
Panasonic GH3 (discontinued)
I recommend this instead:

My go-to wide angle:

Mics:
US:
CA:
UK:

Other micro 4/3 Lenses:
US:
CA:
UK:

Variable ND Filters I use!

Tripod:

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[knoptop]

30 FPS to 24... subtle, but very effective! Great tips!

[carlscinema]

I would recommend conforming the 30p clips to your base frame rate (24p (23, 976) in this case im assuming) in the project window (If you're using Premiere: right click, modify, interpret footage, assume frame rate). That makes sure the frames line up perfectly with your timeline and you will eliminate the step where you have to nest the clip aswell.

[terrywbreedlove]

It is like holding a coffee cup going down the road in a car.

[GEMNaturals]

This has helped me immensely! I'm going on vacation and was going to rent a gimbal but the boxes would take up waaaay too much space. Avoiding rental costs and extra baggage is a life saver. Thank you!

[carlabellot]

Great tips, and very easy to understand! I swear that I'm learning so much more from you guys on YouTube than from my four years at uni studying Cinema. Thank you!

[Nathanp]

I was stressed about a shoot this weekend because a broke my homemade steady cam, you’re videos are always so helpful man thank you!

[scienceblockxl]

This video was really useful. I always tried to get steady handheld shoots with my elbows locked together before but holding the camera a bit more loosely really helped.

[SchroedingersGato]

I like your style dude. To the point and not a youtube "character". Just solid input. Thank you

[GamiumGamers]

Wow!! You’ve started your channel 8 years ago but u still have only 19 K subs, you deserve a lot more.

[ThisisFit]

Love the "shoot in 60p and slow it down' tip! Definitely something I needed to hear.

[danieldougan]

These are great tips.

Also, consider a tripod dolly. They can be quite affordable. I know if I tried to film on a skateboard, there would be broken bones. It won't work if you're on a dirt or gravel path, but if the surface is smoothly paved, it can really help! I'm thinking of picking one up.

Bonus for the dolly: it can also allow you to make smooth pans and tilts while walking using your tripod's fluid head. I've been trying to do this in other ways since I don't currently have a dolly, but the results are not good, and I might just have to bite the bullet and get one. The cost isn't as much of a problem as just not wanting to have one more thing to carry around.

Entry-level steadicams are really affordable too. Much cheaper than gimbals.

[PrimeInChina]

What I do is, I leave a strap on my Camera, to hold the back of the camera. And I take another strap and wrap it cradle it around the front of the lens. I hold both loops (the front and back) in my hand. It creates like a cradle. Then I dangle the camera in front of me and walk. It is sort of like a steady cam, just using straps. As long as you don't run crazy, and just walk steady.. it sort of creates this "Free flow" motion with the camera and allows it to stay in place or move smoothly in the air. So you just focus on staying balanced.. not swaying a lot and then warp stabilizer kind of fixes it in post if there are any jitters.

[aunexinc]

Nice tips, never tried the "nesting" to overcome the inability to warp after time manipulation. excited to see the outcome. Thank you!

[nantzstein]

I love the skin/filter you're using. Ir should I ask you about color grading tips...your insight would be an awesome idea for the viewers. ❤

[OrlandoStreets]

Excellent advice. I use a gimbal attached to a baby stroller at 60p. Works pretty well.

[ejpmusicandvideo]

Dude you should get some type of award for your brilliance and amazing skills!!! I've never seen anyone as smooth as you! ...Lol. Ninja Man!

[adnanbajic]

These were probably the best tips I've come across. I do a bit of running and filming and it's all done on my phone, gimbal would just be too heavy to carry around for 20-30 miles... Thanks man.

[yasseraziz]

Excellent advice, very articulate. This is what I want every beginning filmmaker to watch, because every young filmmaker be like "If only I had a crane! I would be the best filmmaker!"

NO! you don't need a crane to make excellent stable footage!

[FlyByFrancis]

I like that Timex watch you got there. It's super clean.

[angelicaamora]

u looked like a human stabilizer with ur techniques 😱🙌👏