We recently caught Miami based shooter Eddie Belaval and his video, Miami del Cielo on vimeo. In it, Eddie shows masterful use of the Shuttle Pod and Oracle Controller, and takes some fantastic timelapse shots of the Miami skyline. This is one high flying timelapse that will send you over the edge…literally! Eddie doesn’t just show you the skyline, but pulls you over the railing and into the sky. You’ll definitely want to watch this video in full screen!
We were able to ask Eddie a few questions about the shoot.
KU: Where exactly did you decide to shoot Miami del Cielo?
EB: These shots were taken at the Opera Towers in Downtown Miami, on the 52nd & 54th FL.
KU: Did you use any other gear besides the Shuttle Pod?
EB: Camera used was the 5D MkII w/ EF16-35mm. The Shuttle Pod was mounted on Manfrotto tripods and with camera mounted on a Magic Arm, and the Oracle Controller.
KU: How did the gear work for you? Was it easy to set up, carry, use?
EB: I ordered my Shuttle Pod and literally two days after arriving started shooting the timelapse in “Miami del Cielo”. Having spent the time it took to ship watching Tom Guilmette’s V2 instructional videos, once it came in it was up in less than 30 minutes. Assembly is so self explanatory my 5 year old son could put it together if he could lift the weight. One thing I did learn was anything past the 4’ configuration takes at least two man team to handle, which kind of put a hindrance on my solo timelapse trips (which is most of them), but its worth it, besides that’s what the Pocket Dolly is for, no?
Overall this gear performs very well. With added accessories such as the Grabber Wheel’s and the Out Rigger Feet its makes this piece of equipment hard to beat. I mean where else can you get a multi functional dolly system (moco and all) and a fully function Jib in one package, at that price point?
KU: What gave you the idea for an almost aerial timelapse?
EB: I’m always looking to do something I haven’t done before. During my time in New York I’d always envisioned an all skyscraper point of view timelapse reel, but work just never allowed the time to get these shots. That’s why when I heard about the condos some crew friends were staying in for a job in Miami I jumped at the opportunity. After getting some Z axis shots along the rail, I decided “Ok, now it’s time to hang this thing over the edge.” The guys helping me setup were more than a little nervous, but I trusted that this would work. It’s what its built to do and I trusted its creators.
KU: Some of your shots, like the opening window shot and the others where it almost seems to be flying out of the window, are crazy! How did you grab those?
EB: The window timelapses were the first shots I saw in my head when I heard I would have access to this awesome location. I had no idea what anything looked like but I knew I was 500 feet in the air and I wanted to fly out of a window. Luckily one of the bedrooms had an entire glass wall with metal crossbars so it was pretty easy to find a shot. It almost shot itself! I used the Shuttle Pod’s 8’ configuration, mounting the camera with the MagicArm and using the 500 series motor and Oracle controller. I shot it at a 35mm focal range and set the B point so that the cross bars were out frame, giving you the sensation of flying out the window. The inspiration for the shot came from Baraka, that’s pretty much my Bible. One shot that really stuck out to me that I’ve always wanted to try was the timelapse dollying out of the window with traffic moving with the rhythm of the plant.
KU: Any final thoughts?
EB: I just want to add that I think what you guys are doing KC is really great, your embracing the idea that a company can make a quality product that’s built to last the test of time and not over charge for the sake of profit margins like a lot of these other production gear companies. It’s a philosophy that I wish everyone could have but we cant have everything right? That said, thank you and your team for bringing these tools to masses with your eyes on the right ball and I’m glad to see that everyone is taking notices. From the young aspiring filmmakers to the big dogs, we notice, we thank you.