Dollies, Cranes & Camera Heads
In this digital age, it’s refreshing when an old-school source book for motion picture equipment hits the shelves. The tome, aptly titled Dollies, Cranes & Camera Heads is the brainchild of IA grip, Mike Uva. Written with a folksy-wisdom and ease belying his many years of experience in the biz, the author provides insider tips on camera mounts, dolly and crane selection that cleverly combine real life scenarios with proven “how to get the shot” solutions.
Consisting of three separate sections, (camera heads and cranes as well as dollies, and definitions of all), the compiled manual places a ton of schematics, stats and usage references in a convenient paperback format. It is destined to be a must-have item for every film student, best boy, dolly grip, crane operator, and smart UPM in town.
As with all proper technical reference material, Uva’s book works because of its simple presentation, precise inventory of gear, and clear focus of teaching an important grip credo: “the right equipment for the specific job at hand.”
Covering all possible methods for mounting and or moving a camera, the author details apparatus from Ubangis and Bazookas to Enlouva cranes, Jimmy-jibs, and Chapman dollies in his quest to provide an all-inclusive reference for the ever-varying supply of motion picture platform hardware.
In compiling this all-in-one guide to camera movement and their subsequent rigging systems, Uva has placed in our hands a volume of information that previously was only attainable through years of experience. It is this simple treatment of otherwise technical jargon, which makes this comprehensive guide worth every penny of its cover price.
In grip terms, I give Dollies, Cranes & Camera Heads four out of five hammers.
