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C-Stand and Boompoles


David A-Ribeiro

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I´m in a shoot where I will need to improvise a rig to have a fixed boom stretch out to where the talent is speaking. There is only grip gear at my disposal and I was thinking of using a C-stand (or similary sturdy stand) and a clamp. The boom should ideally be stretched to a minimum 3m long so that there is space between it and the action for cam-op´s to move around freely.

 

My question is: is this realistic without a pole holder to support the boom at two different points? The laws of physics tell me I should probably clamp the boom at the end of the first section, but even there do I run the risk of the boom simply cracking?

 

Any opinions welcome!

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You can replicate the mechanical effect of using a boompole holder very easily.  Set up the c-stand with the arm parallel to the ground, and with the c-stand knuckle pointing to the talent and somewhat close to the vertical of the c-stand.  Lay the pole across the c-stand knuckle and then tie the back end of the pole to the back end of the c-stand arm with a piece of rope or several wraps of gaffer's tape.  Where the boom rests on the knuckle, tie that off, too, for safety.  As with a boompole holder, drop a sandbag or 2 on the base of the c-stand... and if you need more extension on the pole, add a sandbag to the back end of the c-stand arm for counter-balance so the c-stand knob doesn't have to work so hard.

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A Boommate is designed to fit into a grip head. Great for sit down interviews. A "baby triple header"  is useful in this config if space doesn't allow for another C-Stand.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Shop-by-Brand-BoomMate/ci/4/phd/4291583202/N/4294255798

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3617-REG/Avenger_F900_F900_Baby_Triple_Header.html

 

 

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Go to wall mart and spend 12 bucks for a fishing rod holder.  A grip head will hold one just fine and it will do the job.  The only difference between this style holder http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885688-REG/Auray_BPH_BOOM_POLE.html , and your standard fishing rod holder is that the rod holder sells for less and has threads on the bottom part.  all of the other dimensions are the same.

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Great stuff, everyone, thanks.

 

Whitney, I might find something in the way of that clamp you mention, could try that.

 

Laurence, thanks for the instructions, I am not very clear with all the terms (sorry, not familiar with all the English grip terms), not sure what you mean by "knuckle" but I think I can infer...I´ll try that and maybe I´ll upload some pics, this shoot will last for a couple more weeks so there is some time to experiment a little.

 

Boomholder could be an item to add to that long list...

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Yes, the K-Tek is very nice and definitely preferable to what I described.  But in a pinch, gaffer's tape (or a little rope) will do.  Note that in the image I uploaded, the boom is just resting on the knuckle.  All the work is done by the tape/rope on the back end (the left side in the image.)

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The stresses on the pole as shown are identical to those on a pole held by a boom operator... although theoretically less, since it never gets swung or raised, which momentarily increases the stress significantly.  If it can't handle this stress, it's not a real boompole.

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