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How to Build Your Own Glidecam

A Glidecam is a name brand video stabilizer. It allows the cinematographer to run or walk while keeping the video image from shaking back and forth. The camera sits on a platform acting as a weight, while a counterweight at the bottom of the device maintains the balance. A couple of hardware odds and ends and in less than 60 minutes, you can build one from scratch.

Things You'll Need

  • Two lawn mower wheels or 2-pound weights
  • 1-foot PVC pipe with six-sided end
  • 3-foot galvanized pipe with screw threads
  • 1-foot piece of wood, 1 inch in diameter
  • Four extra-long zip ties
  • Hand drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill three holes into the 1-foot piece of wood, starting with the middle hole first.

    • 2

      Drill the the last two holes at either end of the wood piece with each hole an equal distance from the center hole.

    • 3

      Place the lawnmower wheels on top of the wood piece, lining each wheel up with an end hole.

    • 4

      Secure each wheel into the hole with two zip ties by looping the zip tie through the hole and passing the tie through the latch located on the tie. Pull tightly.

    • 5

      Cut the end of the zip ties that are hanging away from the wheels and board.

    • 6

      Insert the tripod head into one end of the PVC pipe.

    • 7

      Insert the metal rod into the open end of the PVC pipe.

    • 8

      Insert the metal rod into center hole of the wood piece and place an end cap onto the bottom of the metal rod.

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Film Production

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