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Over the years, there has been a great development on professional video cameras and it has continued to evolve up to this day. The emergence of camera stabilizers like Gimbal and Steadicam has improved the way stories are told through the lens.  It lets you capture smooth shots by isolating shock and vibration from the camera. Smooth camera movement equals professional quality-which is why having a stabilizer is a staple for every filmmaker today. It is important to utilize these innovations to your advantage. Below are 4 great tips to use your Steadicam to create better shots that are compelling.

Create an Immersive Experience

Before you begin using your new professional video camera,  a well thought out composition is central in establishing your story. Always keep in mind that when telling your story, your audience should be immersed in the environment. You can create an immersive experience using your Steadicam as you introduce your setting. When your character enters a place, use a professional video camera with Steadicam as you follow behind your character. This will give you motion fluidity that tracks, and dollies cannot produce. Especially in tight corners, crevices, and irregular surfaces.

Establish a better Perspective

Audiences will always be drawn to a story told through a compelling perspective. Use your Steadicam to show the perspective you want your audience to see. Motion captured through this mimics how we see and is more pleasing to the viewers as its more natural. A lot of documentaries use this technique as it makes your shots personal. By seeing through your character’s perspective, you can let your audiences feel the emotions you want to come across.

Set the Pace

There are a lot of specialized professional video cameras available in the market that will help you set the pacing of your story. Strong pacing, believe it or not, starts with a well-structured scene.  You do not want your audience to be overwhelmed by the quick pacing of your scenes and the lack of consistency thereof. Your Steadicam comes in handy by setting the pace with its fluidity and smooth transition from character to character and from scene to scene. Whether it be an argument between two or more characters or a chase scene, using your Steadicam to set the pacing of your story will produce a compelling story.

Capture Emotions

Use your Steadicam to create a dynamic between your characters during emotional scenes. Shots produced with it has more depth rather than stationary shots that zoom in and out or glide right and left (tracks and dollies.) It may sound ironic but use your Steadicam to produce stable handheld, “shaky shots” to intensify emotions during scenes.  This is a cinematography technique often used to show raw emotions as it can convey panic, anxiety, disorientation, stress, and even being in love.

With several skills accessible for learning, it is not important if you own a professional video camera; what’s important are the skills you learn  to put it to good use. For aspiring filmmakers, having a good stabilizer like the new DJI Ronin SC Gimbal Stabilizer  will help you in achieving better shots in providing a compelling narrative.