A Must-Have for Video Producers

Posted: January 10, 2012

If you are a video producer or are currently buying gifts for one, let me tell you about my favorite new toy. It goes by many names – Slider, Pocket Dolly, and Glidetrack just to name a few.

Recently, I purchased this one for a little over $300. This 3-foot Glidetrack is an amazing piece of equipment that attaches to the top of my tripod and allows for smooth, gliding camera movements. With this relatively inexpensive tool I can add an array of amazing shot possibilities that increase production value exponentially.

Now I can glide past foreground elements to create “the big reveal” or bring product shots to life with a smooth move over a logo. I can create epic establishing shots and make still subjects come alive – all with a simple push of the camera. And timelapses? Fuggetaboutit! A timelapse on a Glidetrack is simply stunning.

This month I put my new track to use for a Red Sox commercial I shot called the “Nice List,” and I was very pleased with the results. I was able to slide the camera seamlessly over countertops, a bed, and the hood of a car to get shots that had a sense of energy and chronological movement that I would not have been able to achieve otherwise.

Depending on your budget and production needs there are a lot of options with tracks like these. For those of you who can spend a little more, the Phillip Bloom Pocket Dolly is an amazing piece of equipment (demo here) starting at $1,100. The Pocket Dolly comes with stabilizing feet, drag control for speed manipulation, and a motor for hands free movement, which is perfect for moving timelapses.

If you are looking for a way to take your video work to the next level then a Glidetrack or comparable option is a no-brainer. To see more examples of the Glidetrack at work, just do a quick Youtube search and enjoy.

Biz Tip Courtesy of: Wellesley Media

Written by: Erich Archer