Overhead Camera Mount

[Todd Terry]

I think those pieces recommended by Matthews would work. My only negative thoughts would be that it is cobbling several pieces together that keep getting your camera farther and farther from the pipe. Should work, though.

And yeah, I’d still attach it to the ceiling. But that’s me. Easy of course in a studio space, I understand though that if doing a temporary set-up in a room in a home that is used for other things, there’s a different set of considerations.

As for buying a cheeseplate… I really don’t know, other than to just see what is out there… maybe from Filmtools or whomever. If I was going that route I’d honestly just make my own. I’d buy a piece of aluminum stock (probably from Aircraft Spruce, my favorite source for all that kind of stuff), cut it to the exact size needed and drill and tap just the holes I needed exactly where I needed them. That might be easy beans for you… if not and that is outside the scope of your comfort zone (or tools that you have), a machine shop could make it easily.

T2

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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

[Daniel Schultz]

Okay, I think I’m getting close! (Who knew it would be so complicated?)

Just got my FilmTools package with bolts, steel pins, and cheese plate.
I’m thinking that this is stronger. Everything is terminating with 3/8 ” threads (into the camera and into the cheese plate).
I can even grab some 1/4″ bolts from Home Depot to screw both the 3/8 and 1/4 into the camera plate (It does have both). I might need to adjust one of the holes in the plate a bit, but it’s almost there.

With the cheese plate snug against the camera, and the surface-to-surface contact there, it does feel less precarious than just a 3/8 ” thread sticking out of the camera. and the thread on pin going into the cheese plate does feel more substantial than the thread in the camera. I don’t know if the laws of physics corroborate my hunch?

So…with this, do you think I can squeak by without the dreaded hook in ceiling (be honest—I trust your experience/opinion and I’d rather have a hole in our ceiling than a camera crashing down on the talent).

Here are the pix:

and

[Daniel Schultz]

BTW, I meant to adjust (slightly re-drill) one of the holes in the cheese plate, not camera plate.
But you probably knew I meant that!

Also, another thought to add some strength. Put a bolt on top of the 3/8 going into the cheese plate.

And thanks again, Todd!!!!
I owe ya big time!!

[Daniel Schultz]

Hi Todd. The rig is working great. And I thought you might like that I caved and did both the cheese plate and the eye hook in the ceiling. Def glad I did both!

Here are a few vids we did. More to come!

https://www.facebook.com/WeAreTeachers/videos/10154988656513708/

https://www.facebook.com/WeAreTeachers/videos/10154977881528708/

Thanks again for all your help!
(Free free to share any notes/suggestions)

-Dan

[Todd Terry]

Heya Dan…

Didn’t mean to ignore your previous two posts… I just didn’t see them or know they were there. Must have missed the notifications on them.

Congrats!… looks like you got a setup that seems to work like a charm… definitely seems to be getting exactly the shot and angle that you were working toward.

Nothing is as easy as it seems like it should be, huh? Post a shot of the finished rig some time when you get a chance.

Great work!

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com