I'm back and all went well. A lot of free form work on this job and the operator pretty much let me have my head on this one. He would usually say, "Just do what you think is right" and it all worked out. A real pleasurable way to work. I must make mention of the increasing scarcity of decent Birch for plywood. We paid 90.00 a sheet for the best we could find- assured by the lumber company that it was the best available. Within two weeks it was cupping, bowing, chipping and warping. We made it through, but probably couldn't have gotten much more out of it. Someone has to come up with an alternative to Birch. Maybe some kind of fiberglass or plastic 3/4" sheets that interlock to make a decent surface that won't warp. It would be a big initial investment but would last for years and eventually make money in rentals. Let's investigate. Anyway, thanks for staying tuned during my frequent absences. We are planning some cool things in the future when we can get time to make them happen.
Don't forget the JL Fisher Open House and Barbecue in two weeks, Saturday May 15th at Fisher in Burbank. As it turns out, I probably will make it and hope to give a full report. I'll be wearing the "Dollygrippery" nametag so please say "Hi" if you're a reader. I'll also take any suggestions for future posts or activities. Please visit the Fisher website for directions and info. It's always a great time to meet old friends and learn about what's going on in the Dolly Grip world.
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The art of Dolly Gripping is like no other job in the world. It falls to us to work out the mechanics of a particular shot, as well as offer a smooth, aesthetically pleasing move which makes the shot work and delivers emotion to the scene. It's the ultimate blend of engineering and art. This website is a place for professionals in motion picture camera platform movement to meet and swap tips, stories, and gripe a little about the difficulties we often face, but rarely get to talk about among ourselves. It's also a place for aspiring Dolly Grips to learn a little something from the old pros. So, welcome. Look around and join our little community. The site is run by myself, D, and Azurgrip, two guys who have each spent the last 20 years moving cameras around film sets. But it also benefits from the readership and participation of hundreds of Dolly and Key Grips from around the world, men and women who have helped deliver some of the most memorable and beautiful moving shots on film. So if you have any questions, please ask. You can ask questions or make comments on our message forum, which is below, just above the photos, or email us at dollygrippery at gmail dot com. We, or one of the experienced grips who frequent this site will answer.
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If you're looking for something in particular, please check out the "Links" section. Everything from equipment in India, to glamour shots of grips can be found there.
What you won't find here: How to make a dolly out of plywood, info on the Wa11y Dolly, anything about how to move a boat.
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9 comments:
Check out Highway hdo plywood.
It is used for roadsigns very stable,expensive but will last for years.
I've been told recently that (at least where I'm at on the East Coast), a large percentage of lumber dealers (specifically Georgia Pacific) import their birch plywood from Chile. Due to the earthquake there, there's been a backlog in shipping so most places are left with crappier stock for the time being.
Not sure if this is a nationwide thing though.
Yeah I was on the East Coast for the last two shows and could not get decent lumber. On the West coast, we've found that Baltic Birch is sturdy and true, but weighs a ton and is expensive. But we got two seasons out of it.
Will check out the Highway. Thanks
I did a movie up in Portland and got some of the best wood i have ever seen! Great clear planks and amazing birch....i hate to even pull it out! i want it to last a long time!
Hy Guys,
I dont know if you have this kind of lumber in the US but i like the 'Betonplex' very much. I even dont know how you call this in English but i do have a picture of it: http://www.hovanderveeke.nl/interformbruin.jpg Its like Baltic Birch but then with a top finish wich is very smooth on one side and anti-slip on the other side. Its very strong and waterproof timber.
Cheers,
Bjorn
I agree. The lumber we get these days is crap compared to what we used to get as little as five years ago. I destroyed an entire package of wood in four months on a mostly hand-held show. It just doesn't hold up at all. I've been brainstorming with some friends about an alternative but the things we think of are always way too heavy to be practical. The search continues...
I used something that the grips called black top on one show. Basically 3/4" black plastic. It was laid on top of the plywood.
We've been using lots of 1/8" and 1/4" Sintra plastic sheet, on top of a regular 3/4" ply base for the last few years, and it works great. The stuff is pretty much bullet proof, stays smooth, and keeps a good edge.
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