Tired of renting or buying pre-built rigs? Start creating your own custom camera rigs just like the pros.
One of the biggest drains on a shooting budget is renting specialized equipment for just one of your shots. Creating your own rigs saves you money while building out your own rig set — which you can use on future shoots. In this video, we are going to explore some rigs you can create with a few simple tools.
Door Shot Rig
This rig is great for capturing a creative door-opening shot that’s sure to up the production value of your next video.
The Build:
- Camera screw
- C-Stand knuckle
- Baby-pin
- Clamp
- Home-built dual camera plate (see video for description and specs)
Wooden Plate Rig
This rig really comes in handy when trying to get stable shots that a tripod can’t pull off.
The Build:
- Baby plate
- C-Stand knuckle
- Tripod head
- Baby pin
- Wooden plate
- 4 screws
C-Stand Rig
Need a shot from a higher vantage point than your tripod can reach? Use a C-Stand to prop up that camera to a surprising height. Make sure to weigh it down with sandbags to keep it secure.
The Build:
- C-Stand
- C-Stand knuckle
- Baby pin
- Camera
Swiffer Rig
This is one of the more creative rigs I’ve come up with to get a shot. It’s great for a smooth and crisp pet-chase POV shot.
The Build:
- Swiffer
- Bolt with camera-size thread (1/4-20)
- Drill
- Nut
Drill a hole in the swiffer. Bring the bolt through the hole and tighten with the nut.
Want more filmmaking and grip resources? Check out these links:
- Video Tutorial: 4 Great Knots Every Filmmaker Must Know
- Over and Under: How Pros Wrap Cables, Cords, and Rope
- Master the Secrets of Time Lapse Video