Alyssa Maio is a screenwriter and copywriter from New Jersey, now living in Los Angeles.
Often the most impactful inventions in history have come about as a result of a beautiful accident. In film, especially on set, beautiful accidents happen all of the time. Luckily for us, a particular invention happened nearly half a century ago, early enough to give us some of the best footage we’ve ever seen. The Steadicam came about over trial and error. So what is it? What is a Steadicam shot? Let’s quickly define it, and learn more about the inventor of one of the most revolutionizing pieces of equipment in film history.
Steadicam Overview
An introduction to the Steadicam
It's impossible to avoid sounding redundant, so here it is. A Steadicam shot is a shot using a Steadicam stabilization system (yep) all performed by...you guessed it...a Steadicam Operator!
But of course, none of this helps if you’re not entirely sure what a Steadicam is, or how some of the best cinematographers have used it. So, before we get into how it changed the game...what is this thing?
Steadicam Shot Definition
What is a Steadicam shot?
A Steadicam shot uses a Steadicam, which is a camera stabilizer that combines the stability of a tripod, flexibility of a handheld camera, and the movement capability of a dolly. Steadicams absorb shake by mechanically isolating the operator’s movement as to always produce smooth tracking shots. A Steadicam Operator wears a vest that is attached to the camera rig. This makes the camera nearly weightless and easily controllable. It can get these smooth shots in any direction — around corners, up and down stairways, and even on bumpy roads.
The Steadicam eliminates the need for expensive crane shots, or the time and labor of setting up dolly tracks. This kind of camera movement changed the way the world experiences cinema.
Who invented the Steadicam?
- Garett Brown invented the Steadicam in 1974
- By 1975, Cinema Products Corporation introduces it to the public
A Steadicam is just one of the many types of film equipment and camera gear available. Before we look at the Steadicam more specifically, let's review the available options. Here's a video breakdown of the various types of camera rigs, how they work, and how they add to the "feel" and look of a shot.
The Steadicam shot is just one of many types of camera movements in film. Here's a complete breakdown of each type along with their storytelling values and how they have contributed to some iconic moments in cinema history.
The number of movies you’ve seen that have used a Steadicam is probably endless. The list goes on and on. Below are just a few examples of the Steadicam shot in some of Hollywood’s most beloved films.
STEADICAM SHOT LIST
Camera movement before Steadicam
Before the 70s, the director's job and the cinematographer's job was to decide between the only three choices when considering the storytelling value of camera movement in a scene.
They could go with a dolly shot, which does provide a very smooth movement of the camera. But this is a time-consuming process that wasn’t always suited for lower-budget films.
Another option would be a handheld shot where the camera operator would literally just hold the camera. However, the sheer size and weight of the cameras back then limited this option.
The manual grip allows for speed, control, creativity and flexibility, but it doesn’t solve the camera shake. The French New Wave filmmakers embraced the handheld shot but documentaries and newsreels were more suited for this kind of movement.
The final option would be a crane shot, which can guarantee a smooth shot with the added option to move the camera vertically. The downside is that cranes are large and cumbersome and only really work for exterior shots or on a soundstage.
Therefore, when the Steadicam camera stabilizer came onto the scene, it essentially combined the benefits of all these shots into one. In other words, Steadicam camera movement truly revolutionized how movies were made.