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              How To Shoot Kickass Video From a Helicopter

              Adam Boozer is an amazingly talented videographer right here in Charleston, SC. His company Jewell and Ginnie has been making a big splash with very cinematic video here in the low country and throughout the southeast. Last night Adam emailed us a BTS video he created on how he sets up his camera for these incredible aerial shots. Besides having the access to a Robinson R44 Helicopter, the actual setup isn’t that complicated: A Canon 5D MKII, a Zucato Follow Focus, a Marshall Monitor, and the piece that stabilizes it all together, the Tyler Mini Gyro. I’ve posted the highlight reel here so click the full post to see the BTS video on how Adam is getting these shots!

              J&G 2010 Aerial Selects Reel from Jewell&Ginnie on Vimeo.

              How to shoot kick ass aerials with your HDSLR from Jewell&Ginnie on Vimeo.

              November 5, 2010
              Patrick Hall
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              • Greg A

                Very cool. Thanks for sharing the details about your rig.

              • http://www.rlmorrisweddings.com Lee

                Adam, How much is that Gyro to rent? I may try something like this soon.

              • http://www,chadlatta.com chad

                That’s pretty cool. Thanks for sharing.

                Sadly, a helicopter isn’t really in my budget right now….

              • http://www.qnetx.com George

                Very insightful! Thanks for sharing.

              • http://www.jewellandginnie.com Adam Boozer

                Thanks everyone!
                Lee the Tyler mount mini gyro typically rents for 375/day

              • http://www.CharlestonVideoService.com David Keller

                killer aerials.. what’s the hourly rate for the chopper, and where do you fly out of?

              • Cornelius

                Amazing stuff, I bet the big production companies are shaking in their boots given the level of professionalism coming through from the guy on the street. One question though: do the skew horizons on the above video not bother anyone?

              • http://stefanchoquette.com Stefan

                I’m a private pilot and can tell you the flight rental might actually not cost as much as you think. Of course this varies by locale, and the aircraft. But the aircraft alone should be about $100-$130 an hour + the pilot fees of about $20-$50 an hour. Like I said this varies based on where you are and what you’re getting, but if you find a private pilot, he’s not allowed to charge you for his time and he has to split the cost of the aircraft rental pro rata based on FAA regulations. Its when you have a “Commercial” pilot who is allowed to charge for his time. Your gear rental will cost you more than the flight.

              • Stephen pierce

                Shooting from helicopters is sick!!!

              • http://vohmm.com Rob Moody

                Check with your local police department. Many that operate choppers offer “ride alongs” as part of community outreach. Usually all you have to do is sign up. Once you get to go up use the free ride as a way to learn.

              • http://vohmm.com Rob Moody

                Lee I rent a kenyon gyro from Wilmington Camera Services for 100.00 a day.
                910 343 1089

              • Har Rai Khalsa

                It is absolutely essential to shoot using a gyro? Could you get smooth enough shots using only a steadicam, then buff it out in post, and get close to the same results?

              • http://vohmm.com Rob Moody

                Har,
                When I shot for local TV stations from their choppers we had a variety of cameras some stabilized some just mounted. Later in Iraq shooting from military choppers I just had myself and a beanbag or towel to keep it stable. I’ve see folks set up a steadycam but gyros really are the way to go. You are limited on room in ways you cant begin to think about until you get inside the chopper. If they take the doors off it helps but you have to be strapped in and running a steadycam strapped in is near impossible.

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              • Recent Comments
                • Nicholas Gonzalez said I use Focus Shifter for focusing. really good tool at a great price. And thanks for the post! Very useful »
                • Rob Gray said I can't wait to watch this. Should be fantastic. You guys should do a class on creativeLIVE!!! »
                • David Sharp said I might add a LED light pack to your list, these can be found cheap and are a must for assisting in poorl »
                • Jeremy Stoutamyer said Instead of an L bracket I have the PnC Gearbox and it adds a lot of different mounting possibilities and »
                • Joey Duncan said I don't have a variable ND, nor do I shoot video. I will say though that an ND filter can be VERY nice. »
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                • jr456 said Image on the right is the edited one. Texture was gained if anything; not lost. Not sure what was poste »
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