[Perspectives #4 - Point of View by Dendrite Studios]

We have been asked by many fine folks how we accomplished many of the angles in Perspectives #4 – Point of View. First off we shot the clip with GoProHD cams set to the third setting 1280×720 and 60fps. This allowed us to use very smooth slow motion. When we feel we don’t want slow mo for a specific shot we shoot at regular 30fps. We used mostly the many accessories available with that cam, but we also used mounts from other POV camera companies. Mixing and matching mounts from different companies is the only way to get certain shots. Many combination’s were tried and the shots didn’t quite come out first time around. Be creative, build your own mounts, and mix and match until you get an angle no one has seen before.

Here is a clip by clip description on how we mounted the camera:

:08 Here we used the GoPro Suction Cup Mount at the rear of the ski. Disclaimer: Shortly after this shot was taken I lost the helmet cam off the back of the ski. It was found after digging through the pow still recording. What we learned: The suction cup is rock solid. We could not pull the unit off even if we used all of your strength. But the unit could slide on the slick top sheet of a ski with a lot of force given in a horizontal direction. I hit a small air and one ski tail banged into the mount and slid it off the edge of the ski, instantly the suction was lost. For a tail of the ski shot I would now suggest simple duct tape. If there is not a chance for the suction cup to be hit with a horizontal force and slide off the edge of the surface it works perfectly.

:13 Suction cup mount again but mounted at the tip of the ski. This we deemed acceptable after our near disaster earlier in the day because I can have a visual on the mount the entire time. Plus only beginners cross their tips right?

:16 Suction cup mount. Mounted right in front of the binding.



:19 Suction cup mount. Mounted on the tip of the ski. We also tried these shots with the VIO Ultra Clamp (fabulous mount by the way). But the part hanging below the tip would get caught by the snow too often shaking the camera violently.



:27 GoPro SeatPost and Handlebar Clamp. This mount works great for ski poles when used in conjunction with a right angle adapter (they call it a pivoting orientation arm) that is included with the mount.



:32 VIO Ultra Clamp, with a GoPro tripod adapter attached to the waist buckle of my backpack.



:35 GoPro Vented Helmet Strap attached to vents on the hood of my sled. Just because the title states one purpose doesn’t mean the mount can’t be used for many other applications.

:38 GoPro Seatpost and Handlebar Clamp attached to my ski poles that were in my ski rack on the back of sled.

:43 Until the end-The rest of the video is using the GoPro CHESTY Chest Mount and the vented helmet strap mount. The cameras are mounted on these two mounts facing forward or backward or by using the right angle adapter’s-sideways. So go out and enjoy the next powder day with a buddy chasing, following, leading and riding side by side. You’ll get some of the coolest footage on POV cams that capture the fun vibe of charging through pow with buddies, and as far as we are concerned there is no better way to spend the day.


Since the video we have used many other mounts. The GoPro sticky mounts for the top of helmets are great for people without vents. The GoPro Roll Bar Mount is great for shovel handles. The GoPro tripod adapter is very handy for anything with a 1/4″ screw. The VIO flex mounts are also very cool tools. 12″ and 6″. The 12″ is a little long for skiing as the forces of jumping are too great to hold the camera up. But for unique frames with less force it is a great tool.

People can best our video with different angles. We know it. So go out and give’er!

Keep visiting dendritestudios.com to see more POV from our debut ski film coming later this year!

Athan Merrick
Dendrite Studios

[VholdR Contour HD & Available Mounts]

I edited this final footage/montage from my deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 of Air Force/Air National Guard Combat Rescue/Medevac/Casevac operations in the Helmand Valley area. Responding at a moment's notice via the HH-60G Pave Hawk, CSAR is an advanced and highly capable rescue system for the coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan.

I wasn't able to arrange for a RED this time around, but have been able to record some decent HD footage on a new Sony Handycam. This was a very sobering deployment and probably my last in an "operational" capacity as I move on with my military career.

I will continue to push for a dedicated high quality filming team, and a "prime time" outlet for the public to maintain it's connection with our service-members.

Corresponding articles:
afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123157644
michaelyon-online.com/pedros.htm

Camera = Sony HDR-XR500 w/ Wide Angle Adapter & VholdR ContourHD Music = Weezer - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

MrGlory
http://vimeo.com/mrglory

The GoPro HD Hero is a revolutionary camera because of it's size, weight, price, and last but not least it's quality. It's capable of creating amazing results in many different environments, but ending up with the best results isn't always as easy as you think.

Over the past 10 years I've been creating extreme sports videos. I've learned a lot about shooting and editing and the most important thing to know is that video creation is a trial and error process.

Here is how I use the GoPro to create my videos.
Before I even begin shooting I try to create a vision in my mind of what I want the video to look like. The clearer the picture of the final project, the better, so if you have a particular song in mind then include that in the vision.

Try to think about the location you are going to and what features stick out. Are there any jumps, gaps, untouched powder, obstacles that will make the video more interesting? If so, figure out how you can incorporate them into the video and what angles will make them stick out the most. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to always shoot multiple angles at each spot you ride. Showing one angle doesn't always give off the best view of the location but if you can edit together a sequence of the same trick with different camera placements, you're set.

With the GoPro you not only have the option of placing the camera on the ground or on a tripod, you also have tons of self-mounting options. I tend to stay away from the helmet cam (although this seems to be the #1 camera placement for amateurs) because it doesn't show what you're doing. My favorite mounting options for Snowkiting are on the board using the suction cup mount [See figure 1.1], on the bar using the seat post mount [1.2], on the lines using the KiteHero Mount [1.3], in the hand [1.4], and on a tripod or the ground [1.5]. You'll notice from my videos that the angle I use most is with the camera on the ground because it shows a full-body view of where I am and what I am doing.




Now that you have an idea where you're shooting and know what angles you'd like to get, you're ready to go out and ride. Of course you're going to explore new spots to shoot each time you ride and sometimes you'll be hitting a spot for the first time, but at least you'll know exactly what's possible and which angles will turn your vision into reality.

Since the GoPro doesn't have a screen, you need to become familiar with it's field of view and keep framing in the back of your mind at all times. Although there are no set rules for framing shots, there are some general guidelines to follow to make your video more viewer friendly.

Headroom: When shooting yourself, keep in mind how wide the lens is. If you point the camera directly at your face, you're probably going to have too much headroom. [Figure 2.1] Point the camera down a little bit to ensure that your head is near the top of the frame rather than in the centre.

Leadroom: When shooting yourself from a profile perspective, try to frame the back of your head against one side of the frame so that the direction you are looking has empty space in front. This space shows that you are moving in this direction. [Figure 2.2]



Proximity: To make the video more editing friendly, always try to shoot multiple proximity's so you can edit from one to another. It always looks better cutting from a wide shot to a close up rather than a wide shot to a wide shot. Variety is priceless.

Now that you've shot all your footage, you're ready to begin the edit. Stay tuned for my next blog describing the editing process I follow using footage from the GoPro.

Check out one of my latest snow kiting videos featuring GoPro HD footage using some of the mounts mentioned above like the suction cup mount

The Ordinary Days of Winter from Big Fall Productions

Thanks for tuning in.

Brendan Schnurr
~Big Fall Productions

[GoPro HD HERO & Available Mounts Shot on the tall 4:3 1280x960@30fps setting]

This is the first time I've used the Hero to play paintball (or Real Action Marker) and the results are amazing...
I Attached onto my helmet and sometimes clamped at the stock of the weapon to get that Call of Duty feel. OK, I'm a video game geek.

Shot on the tall 4:3 1280x960@30fps setting so you can see more of the top and bottom.
So here's a quick montage of me in action and more importantly to show off the power of the Hero. I just wish I shot more people up close to show you the detail of the powder smashing against someone.

RAM is pretty much the same as paintball although you get to use replica weapons and use clips that hold 20 rounds each, resulting in a more realistic feel of actual combat. Although I must say the RAM guns right now are not very accurate.

One peculiar thing about wargames in Hong Kong, and unlike paintball, gamers love to dress up and probably wear better equipment than most real soldiers!
You could call it 'combat cosplay'.

Filmed at Training Camp, Hong Kong: trainingcamphkcoltd.com/ Weapons courtesy of APS Paintball Limited: apsram.com

Edwin Lee
http://vimeo.com/10026762