do u think that if i took just a random thing that rolls that would fit my tripod, and lay down some cardboard or sumthin on the ground in a long row that it would make for a good dolly track sort of thing?? if not does anyone have any suggestions cuz i want to make my own stuff if possible.

The best and most popular makeshift dolly device is the wheelchair. I bought one for $4.50. And do you really need a track? Just lay down some masking tape on the ground, and make sure the guy pushing the chair follows the tape.

i forgot to mention this dolly track would be used in the woods mainly so therefore the cardboard would keep the ground somewhat level and make it less bumpy for the camera, if you know wat i mean. and also where di you buy whatever you bought and is there sumthin olnie that i can look at?

If you plan on shooting in the woods, I don't think a dolly will be smooth enough. I built a simple tracking system from PVC pipe and miniature skateboard wheels (among other various parts) for about $40. I used it to shoot over some very rough terrain outdoors, and most every shot looked fluid. You can take a look if you want at Spring Heeled Jack or The Legend of Monkey Fight to see examples of the tracking shots.

I've thought about filming a short how-to documentary on the contruction of tracks and table-top dollies and other stuff like that, but I didn't know how much interest would be generated by it or if anyone has done that previously. I'll be glad to answer any questions about the track, though. It's really very easy to build. I'm also working on a circular track right now, but the details are secret until I perfect it.

Dam Dirty Apes!

I watched SHJ. Very funny and I noticed all of the Dolly pan.s They WERE very smooth and obviosuly, as many people have probably noticed, it took place in the woods mainly. How exactly did you make the track, and did it take long and cost alot?

The tracking device cost about $40. It's hard to describe exactly how to build it, especially since I don't know what some of the pieces I used are actually called, but it's all metal and plastic. I'll see if I can take some pictures in a day or two and post those, if that will help you.

The track I laid for the device to run along is made of 10' PVC pipes which I connect using smaller PVC connectors wrapped in duct tape. I'll take some pictures of that too, if you like.

That's funny Harris! I built a tracking device just like that, connecting the 10' PVC pipes with smaller connectors and duct tape. My device involved a board of pressurized wood with L brackets that I hammered into a -v- shape. They're bolted to the underside, then have wheels on the v part that straddle the PVC pipe and ride along it. It works great! Camera movement is the #1 most important thing, I think, to make video look impressive.

The only chance I've gotton so far to use it though is in the end of this movie:

http://www.astronautradiomusic.com/excuse.wmv

We call it "The Excuse" because it was basically a way, an excuse, to use the camera dolly and new equipment to film a guy smoking a cigarette while assembling a large gun and talkin trash.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: funkbomb,

Where does one get a wheelchair? And for as little as $4.50.

Hey, Harris, you mentioned earlier that you thought about doing a how-to make a dolly doc, I think you should. Those were some good dolly shots, and I think a lot of people would be interested in making a dolly that good. I am, at least. Oh, and Legend of monkey fight was pretty cool.

I think the cheapest ways to find a wheelchair are either to find someone in your area with one (someone should have one) or go to any health services place that sells wheelchairs and see if they have any they are selling at a dicount (like a floor model or something). Also, even though I'm not sure if something like this would work, you maybe could contact a hospital and see if they have any old ones they could part with that still work. I know Robert Rodriguez borrowed a wheelchair from the hospital in the town where he filmed El Mariachi. You never know what you may find.

Also now that I think about it, maybe your local doctor could help out too with lending or selling you and old one.

Hey, I made a dolly a while back, I even made a tutorial on it for my site (not the greatest site) http://kentertainmentpicts.tripod.com/id16.html

It was about a year ago I built it and if I remember correctly I think it cost me only about $50-60 and it runs real smooth.

kent your dolly looks very nice. ...and very familiar. Nice job!

FWIW, I have dolly pics on my webpage.

Ohhh, I forgot about this thread. I promised to post pictures, and I never did. Kentertainment's dolly looks good, though; both he and Joren have great tutorials on their sites. Joren, I think I've visited your site before, but I never noticed the dolly. I have a friend who just recently gave me a dolly similar to that which you built, and he said he found a tutorial for it online; it easily could have been your site or Kent's. The design is strikingly similar.

As for the tracking dolly I built, I'm afraid it's outmatched by all these. Mine is incredibly simple; in fact, I formulated the design while I was standing in Lowe's in the PVC section. It's basically PVC in a "T" shape with skateboard wheels aligned on each point.

Here are some pictures:

Vroooom!


Don't ogle my filthy carpet, you bastards.


Sorry. I believe that guy's name is Andrew, and he's hiding from the cops.

So that's my track with dolly. Basically, you run PVC under each set of wheels, and then you just push it as fast as you can. I've been practicing with it in my driveway, and I can almost do an ollie!

Dam Dirty Apes!

And yeah, I know that tripod I have is a piece of ****. My other one is a Rolls Royce.

I've tried everything except the skateboard wheels and PVC pipe technique. For some reason I just couldn't believe that it would work, but it seems so popular that I'm going to try it now.

I tried metal tracks with plastic 3 inch wheels and they were too bumpy, I tried rubber, inflated wheelbarrow wheels and the surface was never smooth enough. Maybe the time has come for PVC

PVC is ambrosial.

I build furniture from PVC.

Indeed, it is believed that ancient ancestors thought PVC held mystical powers. Aztek leader ڬڰںۖۑ۹ firmly believed PVC was the key to his great kingdom's success. I recall some native americans actually smoked it...and died.