Cinevate Duzi Camera Slider Preview

For a guy who loves a moving camera it's anybody's guess as to why it's taken me this long to purchase a slider. But that day has arrived with the Cinevate Duzi. After a few days of shopping around and deliberation I ordered the Duzi and 3 days later it showed up on my doorstep as I was enjoying my morning coffee. Even though it ships from Thunder Bay, it came surprisingly fast.

A slider is akin to a dolly in that it allows the camera to move smoothly left/right or forward/backward while filming. The Duzi is only 24" long but it is capable of adding just enough movement to enhance an otherwise ordinary shot.

Cinevate Duzi and morning coffee

I LOVE being able to move the camera during filming which is why I use the Glidecam so often. With the slider the camera can move even steadier over a shorter distance and the movement can be slow and subtle, which is difficult to pull off with the Glidecam.

Coming in at $399 plus any of the bells and whistles that go with it (all-terrain legs, carrying case, sling, etc.) plus a head to attach the camera onto, this was an easy decision to make. The Kessler CineSlider comparably is $1099 and is 3' or 5' long. For a quick setup and the ability to grab 'n go quickly, the Duzi appears to be simpler and more convenient.

Now I get to take it out and play. The weather's good for trying out some exterior shots and there are a few shoots coming up that the Duzi will come in handy on.

Stay tuned for more shots and notes on how well it works out.

Remembering Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones, a camera assistant with a smile and personality that lit up many film sets, died in a tragic accident on February 20th while filming Midnight Rider. The story has been covered by many, many websites and publications and shared by most folk in the film industry. It has spurred the Slates for Sarah movement, calling for safer work conditions for crewmembers on set. While filming a scene taking place on a set of train tracks, the crew was startled by an oncoming train that then struck and killed Sarah, along with injuring several other crew members. Questions are still being asked regarding whether or not the crew had clearance to be physically be where they were, but it does seem painfully obvious that the proper precautions were not taken.

Sarah Jones

A video highlighting Sarah's career and passion played at her memorial two days ago in North Carolina. It really tells you how delightful a person she was and at the 2:35 mark an incredible montage kicks off that displays the outpouring of support from many cast/crew, a lot of whom worked closely with her.

Attention to the sometimes unsafe work conditions combined with rigorous demands of film sets has happened as a result of what happened to Sarah.

You can read more about Sarah here.

What is a SNOOF?

This is what my weekend was spent on. A few filmmakers asked me to join them in creating a trailer for an upcoming web series. Press play above and check it out.

Blaise Westling is a time traveling, rock star, womanizing douchebag from the future. He travels back in time breaking time laws by seducing historical woman and, like, totally promising to call. Or telegraph. Whatever. It's all going great until... Blaise breaks time.

Rhiannon Litner is the only remaining member of the Chrono Force; the last time cop. And, for all her bad ass bluster, she's a rookie. And she's here to bust Blaise's ass, and keep time from folding in on itself.

It's being used as part of an application for the IPF (Independent Production Fund) and it was a lot of fun to work in. They shot it all within two days and sent the footage to me. Editing and visual effects were finished within a couple of days.

The script is based on what the series could potentially become if successfully chosen by the IPF to receive funding, so the best thing you could possibly do for it would be to click LIKE or SHARE it with your people to see how they enjoy it. Use the hashtag #WhatIsASnoof to chat about it. We will respond back.

There were some crazy folk working on this. They are hard-working TO filmmakers that are constantly working on new projects. Find out more about them below:

• Ash Catherwood

• Jason Leaver

• Carrie Cutforth-Young

• Scott Albert