Lay Of The Land

   Sometimes, you just have to go with the lay. Two instances have come up in the last couple of weeks. One, underslung following feet. Of course the director, location manager or whoever makes these decisions picked a huge slope on a street in a town that could have been anywhere. In this case, yes, I had to lay on a slope so that the camera doesn't get higher as I go. Also, yes, I could have done a steady boom down as i went to keep the camera at ground level. I've done it many times. I decided to save myself the dialogue of explaining that I could do it on a level track and just go with the lay. Same thing happened last night. Push in on a downward slope. I was worried about the track being too high at the end and seeing it, so I went with the lay. I will suggest that you cheat a little as you do it though. No one understands track laying, so always bring the low end up a little so that you aren't struggling. No one will know the difference and just throw out some explanation about "side to side" or something and they'll buy it. At the end of the day, I didn't pick the location and I have to manage a 300lb plus dolly. It'll be fine.

Stay safe, 

Cap